Reaffirming their commitment to protect and preserve the environment on World Environment day (WED), SOS Children’s Villages of India and Coca-Cola India today announced the completion of work and dedicated the rainwater harvesting project at SOS Children’s Village located at Sector 29, Faridabad and commencement of the RWH work at Children’s Village Greenfield. The project includes 5 RWH structures with a potential to harvest 6091 kiloliters of rain water annually at normal rainfall. The project was dedicated to the community by Mr. Rakesh Jinsi, Secretary General, SOS Children’s Villages of India and Mr. Atul Singh, President & CEO, Coca-Cola India and Mr. Deepak Shriram, Vice President of SOS-India Board in the presence of many children and other stakeholders of the Village. The two partners also announced the commencement of work on a RWH project at SOS Village located at Greenfields in Faridabad. Upon completion this project will have the potential to harvest 8701 kilolitres of rainwater at normal rainfall.
These projects are an important step towards ensuring sustainable water resources for children and take forward the nationwide water conservation partnership between SOS Children’s Villages of India, The Coca-Cola Foundation and Coca-Cola India announced earlier this year.
The nationwide partnership between SOS Children’s Villages, The Coca-Cola Foundation and Coca-Cola India entails the construction of RWH projects at 39 SOS locations spread across the country for a total project outlay not exceeding USD 585,000 (Rs. 28,080,000). Out of this, The Coca-Cola Foundation based in Atlanta has made a grant of USD 391,920 (nearly Rs. 18,925,817). SOS Children’s Villages of India is contributing the balance through manpower, material and other resources. The RWH project at all locations is being implemented by SOS Children’s Villages of India.
According to Mr. Rakesh Jinsi, Secretary General, SOS Children’s Villages of India, “It is a matter of great pride and privilege to announce the completion of work at Children’s Village, Sector -29, Faridabad and the commencement of work at Children’s Village, Greenfields, Faridabad on World Environment Day. As envisaged in the partnership agreement between the parties, this nationwide water conservation effort will have a huge positive impact. Over a period of time, the availability of ground water in the area will improve, which will lead to better living conditions of the people around. More importantly, our children will become aware about the need for water conservation and preservation of environment.”
According to Shri Deepak Shriram, Vice President, SOS-India Board the “rain water harvesting projects will not only ensure sustainable water resources for the children growing up in our Children's Villages but will also largely benefits the neighbouring communities towards conservation and replenishing ground water sources."
The RWH project at the SOS Children’s Village in Greenfields, Faridabad will be constructed as per technical drawings approved by authorized consultants and the National Steering Committee. The National Steering Committee comprising of experts from the field of water management, eminent personalities from civil society and representatives from Coca-Cola India and SOS Children’s Villages is also supervising the implementation and progress of the project.
According to Mr. Atul Singh, President & CEO, Coca-Cola India, “I take this opportunity to congratulate the team at SOS Children’s Villages of India for implementing the projects as per agreed timelines. Water is the single most critical resource for the survival of mankind and there can be no better gesture to celebrate WED than dedicating and launching water conservation projects. We are pleased to be partners with SOS Children’s Villages in this project as this partnership not only creates sustainable water resources for children but will also raise awareness amongst them on water conservation. I take this opportunity to reaffirm Coca-Cola India’s commitment to preserving and protecting the environment and we will continue to contribute to the overall wellbeing of our planet.”
In keeping with its commitment to conserve and preserve the environment, Coca-Cola in India is organizing range of activities across the country. This includes inauguration and dedication of several water conservation projects including check dams and ponds, organizing environment awareness programs like lectures, seminars, quizzes etc
About The Coca-Cola Foundation
The Coca-Cola Foundation is The Coca-Cola Company's primary international philanthropic arm. Founded in 1984, the Foundation was established in the U.S. as a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Foundations grants are awarded throughout the year on business plan priorities, tax requirements, legal compliance and approval by the Foundation's Board of Directors. The Foundation has contributed more than $155 million in support of education.
Our community commitment is shared across the Coca-Cola system. When natural disasters strike, The Coca-Cola Foundation and the entire Coca-Cola system respond to offer emergency relief. Through the Coca-Cola Matching Gifts Program, eligible employees make personal contributions to qualified organizations and The Coca-Cola Foundation matches those contributions on a 2-for-1 basis. The Foundation has contributed $164 million in support of community programs and initiatives.
