Odisha : Azim Premji to spend 300 crore to fight malnutrition in state

Odisha : Azim Premji to spend 300 crore to fight malnutrition in state

BHUBANESWAR: wipro Group's philanthropic arm, The Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI), will spend Rs 300 crore in the next 10 years to reduce malnutrition in the state. The APPI signed a memorandum of understanding in this regard with the state government here on Monday.

After officials of APPI and the state signed the deal in presence of chief minister Naveen Patnaik and Wipro founder Azim Premji, the latter said the state government's commitment to address the problems of malnutrition will go a long way for success of the project.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said through APPI, the state intends to benefit from the expertise and core competence of Wipro in technological innovation and consulting apart from the nutrition sensitive programmes under the partnership.


"I would request Premji to extend his support in the field of education also and continue his collaboration with the state by widening the scope of engagement through APPI in the field of nutrition and governance," Naveen said.

According to a government statement, during a meeting with Premji prior to signing of the MoU, Naveen proposed the Wipro chief to invest in IT, health and education in the state. Naveen asked Premji to establish a global training centre on the Puri-Konark marine drive, for which land has already been identified.


Besides, Naveen also asked Premji to expand the group's IT facility in the city and consider a second campus at Info Valley in Bhubaneswar. He also asked Wipro to partner in the setting up of a second International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in the state at an estimated cost of Rs 128 crore in public private partnership mode.

The chief minister urged Premji to consider a second campus of Ajim Premji University in the state besides various model schools in the state. Naveen asked him to consider establishing Wipro-healthcare facilities. The government statement said Premji promised to expand its facility in Bhubaneswar and consider investment in health sector.