Association for Information Technology (AIT), Bengaluru is an Association of about 350 Dealers in IT hardware products, Solution Providers, Service Providers etc., spread all over Bengaluru. AIT started in 1997 and is holding its 22nd AGM on Sunday, 25th Aug 2019.
AIT has been instrumental in taking up all matters of common interests of its members including product launches, trainings, vendor-meets, tax-related issues, facilitating lateral sourcing of materials, sports events, etc. Also, this year, AIT has dedicated significant efforts to do its bit in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which includes:
1. When KRS and other dams which are part of the water supply system for Bengaluru, did not receive adequate water due to delayed monsoon this year, AIT organized a campaign to educate and encourage citizens to conserve precious water. On Sunday, 7th July 2019, AIT members stood at three locations – outside Town Hall, at Lalbagh West Gate and at M. N. Krishna Rao Park from 7am to 10am. They displayed placards with various messages regarding water conservation and also handed out pamphlets to the general public, which carried information on how a common citizen can save water.
2. On account of delayed monsoon, a situation of drought prevailed in parts of Karnataka, earlier this year. Most households in drought-prone rural areas were forced to spend significant man-hours to ensure water availability. THE Womenfolk had to carry pots of water over long distances. To address this, AIT started an initiative to collect contributions towards 45-litres water-wheels which can be of immense help for transporting water. AIT took this up and negotiated price and terms with the vendor and ordered 100 such water wheels for areas including Chitradurga and 120 for Gulbarga, in the second week of July 2019. Recently, local IT Association members helped in disbursement to the needy in surrounding rural areas.
3. AIT has decided to make contributions towards a suitable Martyrs’ Fund. After a lot of research, AIT could connect with VETERANS’ INDIA, which provides aid to Veer Naaris or Widows of martyred soldiers. The amount was transferred to Veterans’ India, and on 21st July 2019, during the Kargil Vijay Diwas Function of Veterans’ India at Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed over the “PRIDE OF THE NATION” Trophy to AIT.
4. After the drought-like situation until July, came floods in many parts of Karnataka during the first week of August. When the floods resulted in huge losses, mainly in North Karnataka, AIT organized a drive to collect contributions from Members, and handed over the same to “Chief Minister Relief Fund Natural Calamity”.
“Despite CSR having become mandatory for organisations which have huge earnings, AIT is trying to do whatever possible even though it is not mandatory for us to it”, said Dinesh Dhanapathi, President, AIT.
“AIT has sincerely attempted to address serious issues of social concern in its own limited manner. We hope that more organisations will step forward to help the needy in a manner which is quick and effective,” said Rajkumar Dugar, Secretary, AIT.
