Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 22: Avashya Foundation, the CSR arm of Allcargo Logistics, India’s largest integrated private sector logistics solutions provider, has implemented an initiative- ‘Aashiyana’ where they empowered rural families with affordable housing in Dakshina Kannada Udupi and Kasargod with World Bunts’ Foundation Trust. The foundation believes in holistic development of communities and will be supporting the rural housing initiative actively along with programs designed to provide interventions around education, healthcare and skill development. The milestone was celebrated on 8th October, by Shashi Kiran Shetty, founder and chairman of Allcargo Group, along with Sudhir Shetty of the World Bunts’ Foundation Trust. The affordable housing was built in: Kaup, Puttur and Manjeshwar in Dakshina Kannada (DK), Udupi and Kasargod.
Allcargo Logistics believes in holistic growth of the communities especially as its culture incorporates community development that is inclusive and impactful. The purpose driven engagement initiatives driven by the company are people-centric inclusive development along with the active participation of the community at all levels. To further this people-centric inclusive development the company has worked alongside the community in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasargod to execute innovative programs that have a lasting and positive impact. It believes that housing is the most basic human need and underprivileged section of the society needs to be empowered with access to better housing.
Allcargo Logistics had taken up similar initiative in October 2020 and built 17 houses for the underprivileged in the Panvel block of Raigad district, Maharashtra. Out of these, 14 houses were handed over to underprivileged in Dhamani (Choti Dhamni, Mothi Dhamni and Aushyachiwadi), and nearby villages like Sangtoli, and Shivansai.The future goal of Allcargo Logistics is to make affordable housing, a sustained effort and make it the flagship project.
Brainchild of Shashi Kiran Shetty, founder and chairman of Allcargo Group, the idea stemmed from his belief that affordable housing is the key to bringing marginalized populations into the social and economic mainstream. He is a passionate supporter of community empowerment at the lowest strata of society and has always been inclined towards the idea of creating a sustainable housing infrastructure for the underprivileged.
On this occasion Shashi Kiran Shetty, founder and chairman of Allcargo Logistics was also conferred as Eminent Bunt personality award by World Bunts’ Foundation Trust. Also present to commemorate the occasion was Dr A J Shetty, chairman, and World Bunts' Foundation Trust.
“It was my son Vaishnav’s 25th birthday, when the vision of building and providing houses to the underprivileged section was conceptualised. We especially value initiatives that put people from marginalized groups, in the centre by focusing on their needs, and giving them tools they need to become active and contributing members of the society. We believe that adequate housing for people and their future families is a basic requirement. This is our way of putting our community first by extending our support and helping them move up the socio-economic ladder,” stated Shashi Kiran Shetty, founder and chairman, Allcargo Group
‘We're very happy to see people from our community and their families move into new homes. A house spells many things, the foremost being a sense of security, belonging, peace, and comfort. We intend to engage in similar community exercises that can empower people and truly change their lives,” stated Sudhir Shetty, World Bunts’ Foundation Trust.
Shashi Kiran Shetty was candid about Allcargo Logistics corporate social responsibility initiatives moving forward. “We will focus on core areas of education, skill development and healthcare in the future as we want to bring the underprivileged and integrate them into mainstream society. We will empower promising young girls and boys with the Disha initiative, so that they become model citizens in the future.”
Allcargo Logistics CSR Arm Avashya Foundation works with NGOs to empower the youth with professional opportunities through programmes on banking and finance as well as digital literacy. Additionally, it has begun offering camps for mental health, psychiatric health, and general health check-ups. Furthermore, to eliminate preventable blindness, the foundation hopes to incorporate its Drushti initiative that organises eye check-up camps and treatments around the nation. The foundation is also teaching adolescent girls about health and hygiene through knowledge sessions in Udupi and Kasargod districts.