Over 100 NGOs, CSR Heads, Experts Converge on Foundation Day of India Is Us

India Is Us (i2u Social Foundation), an NGO support ecosystem created to assist companies in fulfilling their CSR initiatives with verified NGOs, recently completed its 6th year of establishment on 15th August 2021. The virtual event saw participation of more than 100 NGOs, corporate CSRs, CSR advisors, communication experts, volunteers, and various stakeholders who shared their thoughts and aspirations with much enthusiasm and vigour.

The event was graced by dignitaries including guest speakers Ms. Stuti Kacker (Former Chairperson- National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights), Mr. Raju Sharma (Director-Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. (IndiGo), Ms. Rashi Jain (Director North- British Council Division, British High Commission, Ms. Ritu Juneja (Deputy Manager- Hitachi Lifts), and Ms Shatarupa Dasgupta (Chief Operating Officer- FairGaze Skills).

The NGOs accomplishing stellar projects and relentlessly to bring about a positive change in the society were recognized and awarded under six categories. The winner NGOs were Amacha Ghar under the category People’s Choice, NGO Deepalaya for being the Biggest Helping Hand during Covid-19, For Ability India Trust for being a Maverick NGO, Igniting Dreams Of Young Minds Foundation (IDYMF) under the category the Most Eloquent NGO, National Association For the Blind (NAB)- Meerut for being the most TechSavvy NGO, and Sashakt Foundation under the category i2u Bestie.

Stuti Kacker urged that NGOs need to learn skills of record-keeping and also need to come together as one voice when representing to the Government. Speaking on the importance of the UN led Sustainable Development Goals, Ms. Jain said it gives measurable statistics that is uniform globally to track the progress of the nation.

Commenting on the i2u platform, Mr. Sharma said, "This kind of platform today is required where there is trust based partnership between Government, corporates, civil society, media and the academia." Appreciating the role of i2u Social Foundation, Ms. Juneja said, "Generally corporate lack the association with verified NGOs. It is very challenging to know the donated amount will actually be invested in the given cause."

Highlighting the role India Is Us plays of being the bridge between the NGOs and the corporates, Ms. Dasgupta said, "We work very closely with India Is Us on nurturing students to be responsible citizens of the country through the UN led SDG campaigns every month to engage school students, teachers and parents."

Speaking about the event, i2u Social Foundation founding member and Advocacy Director Mr. Pranav Menon elaborated, “I am very glad to see i2u’s dream of creating an NGO ecosystem coming true. This was the first-of-its-kind event where every stakeholder from the social service community took part in. We have been successful in creating a platform for corporate CSRs, NGOs, volunteers, and social service experts to work and collaborate together.”

Lauding the role of NGOs in the community development the founder of i2u, Sudheen M said, "We believe that everyone can contribute One Day for Future, either with their one days' effort or one day's earnings. And there are thousands of NGOs who are going to make fantastic impact with just your one day's contribution."