IIM Kozhikode launches special drive to equip local community with ‘Break-the-Chain’ sanitisation kits to augment COVID-19 relief efforts

Kozhikode: The Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode, as part of its ongoing efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic, has initiated a special drive to provide local households in the vicinity of the Campus with standardised sanitisation kits. Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director IIM Kozhikode, launched the initiative with token distribution of the kits to local community members, from his office today. IIM Kozhikode fraternity will reach out to a total of 100 families residing near the Campus as part of this drive, which is in solidarity with the ‘Break-the Chain’ campaign launched by Government of Kerala.

IIM Kozhikode had also supported the District Administration by providing 100 bed-facility (50 rooms with double occupancy) within one of the Institute’s hostels to serve as a Covid Care Centre for expatriates undergoing Institutional Quarantine.

Launching the kit distribution drive from his office, Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director IIM Kozhikode, penned a personal letter to each of the recipient of the kit and added “Our commitment to the local community has been at the core of our focus in implementing numerous relief initiatives with the able support from IIMK faculty, staff, students and our vast alumni network. A humanitarian challenge as enormous as this requires every citizen to rise to the occasion and dutifully play their role as a member of the community. We consider the residents of these neighbouring houses as a vital part of the IIM Kozhikode ecosystem and we will endeavour to nurture, protect and support them in every way possible.”

Earlier, the IIM Kozhikode fraternity had come together to donate close to 1 Crore INR in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. An amount of Rs 32.09 Lakhs (approx.), was donated to the Prime Minister’s PM Cares fund out of which Rs 7.09 Lakhs (approx.) was raised through voluntary contribution of a day’s salary by the Director, Staff and faculty of the Institute. The Institute also had contributed Rs 25 lakhs to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) as part of this initiative. Another significant contribution of close to Rs 40 Lakhs was also being raised by the IIMK Alumni Association, for various COVID-19 related rescue efforts at the community level. Recent COVID-19 relief work from IIMK community also involved distribution of family hygiene kits to Kunnamangalam Police personnel and monetary contribution towards the Kozhikode Medical College’s Disaster Relief, as part of its native community strengthening initiatives.