Kalamandir Foundation is a Corporate Social Responsibility Division of Kalamandir, a leading designer apparel store of South India. The Foundation was initiated on the occasion of Mr. Prasad Chalavadi (CMD - Kalamandir Group) Birthday in 2010.
As part of the 7th anniversary CSR event, Kalamandir foundation initiated an campaign supporting "Chenetaku Cheyotha" which helps and supports handloom weavers of our state. As part of this initiative, 10 weaving machines were donated to poor handloom weavers by Hon'ble minister for IT, Handloom & Textiles Sri KTR garu. Padma Shri Chintakindi Mallesham, the man behind this innovative machine invention was also part of this noble cause. Apart from this, several poor weavers were also helped financially by the foundation on this day. Speaking on this occasion, Shi KTR garu said 'Its gives very much happiness to see corporates like Kalamandir doing service to the society. Instead of words like many do, Kalamandir Foundation is showing its service in practice. Being in the same field, the initiative taken up by the foundation to help handloom weavers is a welcome gesture. I am glad to be a part of this foundation day and many more corporates should take lessons from Kalamandir Foundation in terms of giving back to society".
Apart from above, Rs.25,000/- was donated to "Cherish Foundation" which works among Orphan children and running an Orphanage which is dedicated to provide a Stable and loving Family Atmosphere to the children who lost their parents. Rs.25,000/- was donated to "Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust" a trust which has remained true to it's ideals for over 50 years of constructive work among women and children in rural India - in the fields of healthcare, education, literacy vocational training, relief work and employment generation.
Apart from above, Merit scholarships worth Rs.35 Lakhs were given to the childrens of Kalamandir staff. The distribution of scholarships was done by the golden hands of Sri KTR Garu, Pinky Reddy, Padma Lagadapati, Director Madhura Sreehdar, Director BVS Ravi, Hero Aadi, Heroine Nivedita Thomas and other prominent celebrities present.
Kalamandir Foundation raised Rs.5,00,000/- from its Aashadam sale and the same was presented to Project 511, a non-profit organization which strive to create an education-friendly environment in Government schools so that the children can benfit from the basic necessities often taken for granted by the rest of the world. The cheque was presents to Mr. Srinivasan namala - Chairman Project 511, Mr. Harish - Directo Project 511.
This year, Kalamandir Foundation took a different stride by tieing up with Equippp.com, a social initiative by Bodhtree Consulting Ltd. The tie up includes, creating a platform showcasing all the authentic organizations and needs those are eligible to receive support through CSR. Thus Kalamandir Foundation is readily coming forward to shake hands with different companies in their CSR activities for better service to the society. Dronamraju Lakshminarayana, the founder of Equippp.com, Shri Ramakrishna, the CMD of Bodhtree Ltd, Shri Narendra of Assochem and Shri Ghanshyam Dass of KPMG participated in the event.
The day started by organized blood donation camps at all the store across Telangana & Andhra Pradesh. The 146 packs collected blood was given to the Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Society which will help the children affected with Thalassemia.
Kalamandir Kalyan, Director - Kalamandir, giving his note on the occasion said, "A thought of paying back to the society has lead to the initiation of this noble cause called 'Kalamandir Foundation'. Serving others and helping the needy gave us eternal delight. It was the greatest achievement we ever achieved. We have undertaken numerous initiatives in the areas of health, education and environment. Providing scholarships, organizing blood donation camps, protesting against drugs, promoting green revolution and donations to charity are few among those initiatives carried over by the Foundation. It's my pleasure to share with you that our efforts and struggle for the good has been recognized in the form of 'Best overall CSR Practices Award', at World CSR Congress. I take this opportunity to thank media, volunteers and all the supporters of Kalamandir Foundation without which this would not have been the reality."
