Hyundai does its CSR bit for India, transforms third village

Korean carmaker Hyundai is making an impact in the interiors of India and how. The residents of Madhuramangalam village in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu beamed with pride as Y K Koo, MD, Hyundai Motor India, handed over revamped and renovated facilities of the village, back to them.

This is the third village to have undergone transformation under the Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF)’s Dream Village project.

HMIF, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Hyundai Motor India, has undertaken an ambitious plan to unleash the true potential of Indian villages by extending support in sprucing up infrastructure while training residents in income generation projects and creating employment opportunities to help them support themselves lifelong.

HMIF conducts a detailed study to assess the requirements of the villagers to develop a plan to meet their unique requirement. These initiatives, viewed as a viable opportunity to engage with the youth in our local communities also help create in them socially responsible, growth-driven and contributing citizens with direction and purpose. Vallakottai and Mevaloorkuppam are two other villages in Kancheepuram district, which have undergone similar transformation in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, YK Koo said, “The Dream Village Project has been designed on the pillars of sustenance and empowerment. I believe that those living in villages are as capable of making a difference to the society as their urban counterparts, provided they are given the right infrastructure and support. Hence we have focused on making these villages self-reliant. The villages of Vallakottai and Mevaloorkuppam are a proof that self-reliance spurs further development and growth.”

Madhuramangalam is a 418-family village, located about 29km away from HMIL. A new bus shed, renovation of school facilities including construction of toilets and installation of RO drinking water facilities, tiling of floors, renovation of the PDS shop and Self Help Group (SHG) building were some of the key areas for upgradation. That apart, over 200 trees have been planted to green it and villagers have been taught to harvest rain water. 

Dairy farming, quail and country chicken rearing and Ari embroidery have been taught to different groups as part of skill training and social enterprise. Nearly 84 families are expected to benefit from these initiatives. All these add up to strengthen our government’s move in setting up efficient infrastructure while laying a strong foundation for growth, development and self-sufficiency.

Sustainability at the core
Earlier HMIF had invested nearly Rs 2 crore to upgrade Vallakottai and Mevaloorkuppam. The pickle making unit started in Mevaloorkuppam is successfully supplying pickles to around 10 factories nearby to give the 14-member SHG a monthly income of Rs 4,500. The catering group, started for 15 women in Vallakottai, has also received an overwhelming response with several bookings helping them earn a monthly income of around Rs 7,500 each. This aside, HMIF has upgraded sanitation, health, hygiene, education and civic facilities in over 64 villages in the Kancheepuram-Sriperumbudur block.

 Since 2006, HMIF has undertaken a variety of sustainable projects, whose impact is now being felt. At least 217 schools and 110,000 students have benefitted with the benches and desks and almost 750 families now have clean sanitation facilities. HMIF has revamped sanitation facilities in over 48 village schools with 50 more on the anvil. The Go Green project has rejuvenated 171 hectares of arid lands till date in Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur and Vellore districts and has provided 240 marginalised farmers a sustainable livelihood, preventing their migration to cities for menial jobs.