Canon India’s Flagship CSR initiative ‘Adopt a Village’ Continues Building Sustainable Communities

India (September 1, 2016): Commenced in 2012, Canon India’s flagship CSR initiative, ‘Adopt a Village’, today includes four adopted villages. Adopted last year 40 kms from Kolkata, Canon’s fourth village, ‘Sol Gohalia’ today marks its first anniversary.

‘Adopt a Village’ focuses on holistic development of village dwellers. Sol Gohalia, home to nearly 4500 people, who earn their livelihood from daily labour, irrigation and small businesses, has received continued improvisation in four key areas, including eye care, education, environment, leading to overall empowerment. Sol Gohalia was joined to the Canon family with a mission to redefine the lives of people in and around the village by providing them with facilities for a well-developed and sustainable living. Since then, the village has witnessed several notable developments. Capacity building in the school has led to students returning to the village school to enjoy better classroom infrastructure, clean drinking water supply, a resource centre with a non-formal education teacher to impart computer literacy, art and craft skills and encouraging sports among the students of all grades along with a vision centre for better eye care services.

Speaking about Canon’s efforts in this direction, Kazutada Kobayashi, President & CEO, Canon India, said, “On our association with Sol Gohalia turning a successful one year today, I can say that Canon has ignited the first candle of hope in this village. I am pleased to notice the visible progress the village has undergone, yet the ultimate impact will be witnessed when these villagers and specially students are able to lead healthy and informed lives ahead. Community development is essential to us at Canon India, it is embedded in our DNA, and we collectively envision a holistic development of the societies we operate in.”

“Four of our adopted villages are our extended families and I am delighted to share that all of them are undergoing positive transformations. Smiling faces, healthy and happy lives are the awards for us at Canon India. Our employees are equally passionate about engaging with the villagers to create awareness and educate them about the basics of living a holistic life. We aspire to continue our focussed energies on more such social development arenas to achieve an all-inclusive progress for the community,”further added, Mr. Kobayashi.

More than 60 Canon India employees marked their presence in the village to celebrate the the 1st anniversary with their Sol Gohalia family. School children gave a warm welcome to the employees with regional dance and singing performances. A painting competition was organised, where the students participated and won accolades and trophies for their performance. An art and craft exhibition in which students showcased various art & craft work, learnt by them in the resource centre, further imbibed the importance of extracurricular activities, ensuring all-inclusive progress of young minds. All the school children were handed over a pair of new school bags, as a small token of encouragement and appreciation. With a focus on building a green haven for Sol Gohalia dwellers, another watering the trees drive was organised on the special day.

Canon India’s four adopted villages in the country include Ferozepur Namak in Haryana, Maharaja Katte in Bangalore, Karanjoti in Maharashtra and Sol Gohalia in Kolkata.