Philanthropy at its best: Volkswagen breaks ground at drought affected village

Maharashtra is already known for its farm crisis and reports the highest number of farmer's suicides in the country. The drought brought in by a delayed and inadequate monsoon further deepens the distress for its cultivators. In a move to aid the drought-affected village Naiphad of Maharashtra, Volkswagen India has stepped in by sponsoring Rs 51 lakh to construct water bunds. 

The company initiated the CSR project at this drought-affected village located in the Khed district by conducting the ground breaking ceremony. Naiphad, located close to Bhimashankar, is the second village at which Volkswagen India has undertaken a project to overcome water scarcity. With this, Volkswagen states that it continues its global tradition of supporting social projects in the region around its production facilities.

Commenting on the occasion, Peter Raussendorf, Executive Director – HR and Admin, said, “A lot of villages in Maharashtra are facing water scarcity which affects not only the agricultural activities but also the daily life of the villagers. Through our efforts of increasing the water reserves in Naiphad, we expect to improve the living conditions in the village in a sustainable manner.”

This village was recommended, from a total of 15 shortlisted options, by officials from Government of Maharashtra under its project ‘Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan’. Volkswagen India had done a similar project at Gulani, Khed which improved the water situation in the village. The efforts were widely appreciated by the Government of Maharashtra.

Additionally, Volkswagen India has undertaken other CSR activities in the past such as H1N1 vaccination to over 1,500 school children, supporting Inter-Mission Industrial Development Community College in Chakan with sponsorship, donating an ambulance to the Red Cross, building an additional block at Zilla Parishad School in Nighoje and donating a bus to the Inter Mission Care and Rehabilitation Society in Paud.