KOCHI:
Eastern Condiments, an Orkla ASA company in India, contributed nearly Rs. 80 Lakh to combat COVID-19, based on the requirements the company witnessed in their home state of Kerala. The attributed budget has been used to fund medical equipment, support for local health services, and other measures aimed at building long-term assets that will help Kerala fight against Covid 19 and beyond.
“While the pandemic has created unprecedented loss all over the world, India was in the grips of a devastating second wave of the virus with rise in mortality and cities facing fresh lockdowns. We monitored the situation daily and provided aids where it was most needed. Our aim was not only to provide support and create a holistic safe environment for our employees, but also for the community at large”, says Jaan Ivar Semlitsch, Orkla ASA President and CEO.
In Kerala, Eastern Condiments contributed to:
· Re-purpose 550 bed Covid Care Centre at Adlux Convention Centre, Ernakulam in collaboration with CII Foundation and other corporate partners
· Upgraded Oxygen lines and other equipment at Taluk Hospital, Idukki & Taluk Hospital Parur.
Navas Meeran, CEO of Eastern Condiments shared, “This pandemic has been unparalleled in nature and showed us the dire need of all of us to come together when facing challenges of this proportion. We at Eastern Condiments focused our efforts towards providing hospitals in Kerala with quality medical infrastructure to ensure meeting any community requirements during this escalating pandemic by aligning with government initiatives.”
“The Norwegian Embassy is really pleased to see how quickly Norwegian associations and businesses such as Orkla have come together to provide COVID relief. The second wave has receded but we all continue to work towards bending the curve of this pandemic across the world. Norway and India continue to remain partners in this effort.”- Ms Kaia Bilton, Chargée d’affaires, Royal Norwegian Embassy, New Delhi added.
At Eastern Condiments, the process of vaccinating the employees is underway with nearly 71 per cent employees vaccinated so far.