HYDERABAD: Six-year-old K Bunny and A Pranay Kumar, studying in Preparatory B class at Dr Durgabai Deshmukh Vocational Training and Rehabilitation Centre for the Physically Challenged (DDVTRC), need not worry about their studies any more.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the State Bank of India, Hyderabad circle, on Thursday distributed 30 hearing aids, worth `1.44 lakh to the students of DDVTRC.
SS Ranjan, deputy managing director (inspection and audit department) and Rakesh Sharma, chief general manager, State Bank of India, Hyderabad circle, handed over the devices to the children at a function organized at the Andhra Mahila Sabha auditorium.
“It was a much-needed help. Now, my boy will also be able to hear verbal and non-verbal sounds and learn language and speech along with the others,” said K Sudha, Bunny’s mother.
“Out of the 30 selected students, 18 were new admissions in preparatory A class and they will use the hearing aid devices throughout their school life here,” informed Padmavathi, a teacher at the DDVTRC.
Parents of the students expressed their happiness and thanked the bank for the help.
A Janardhan, a parent said, “If not through such a programme, I would not have been able to buy this device for my son.” Speaking on the occasion, SS Ranjan said, “the bank as a corporate citizen owes a solemn duty to the less fortunate and underprivileged members of the society and SBI, Hyderabad circle is lending a helping hand to the needy all the time.” He also handed over a personal donation cheque of `10,000 to the organization.
Rakesh Sharma said that during the year, the bank had also donated equipment, buses etc for students belonging to underprivileged sections, through voluntary organizations, apart from organizing blood donation camps, medical camps etc.
“I was introduced to the organization and its activities by my wife who was associated with the Andhra Mahila Sabha activities, the initiatives of the organization convinced me and led me to distributing 30 hearing aids instead of just a few,” he added.
The bank also donated 12 fans and a laser printer to C Ramchand Girls’ High School run by the Andhra Mahila Sabha for the benefit of its 400-odd students.