Through its Acting Together program, Balkrishna Industries Inc. (BKT) is providing critical assistance to people who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the international COVID-19 crisis began, BKT has distributed:
- More than 600,000 pounds of wheat flour;
- More than 400,000 cooked food packets;
- More than 265,000 pounds of rice;
- More than 132,000 pounds of lentils;
- More than 132,000 pounds of salt;
- More than 132,000 pounds of sugar;
- More than 60,000 packs of food assistance;
- More than 60,000 spice bags;
- More than 60,000 bottles of soap;
- More than 15,800 gallons of cooking oil.
BKT, in collaboration with other organizations, also has donated 25,000 single-use personal protective equipment kits, consisting of a protective suit, a face shield, a mask, a pair of gloves and shoe covers, to frontline COVID-19 workers.
In addition, the company has supplied more than a dozen hemodynamic monitors to Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, the site of its global headquarters. “These monitors are an important part of ventilators, which are the lifesaving, critical equipment used for patients suspected or diagnosed with COVID-19 infections,” say BKT officials.
And in the United States, BKT’s North American office continues to support Samaritan’s Purse, an independent organization that assists victims of disease, natural catastrophes and other situations.
“The employees of the BKT USA branch in Akron, Ohio, decided to (donate) one month’s conveyance allowance to Samaritan’s Purse,” say company officials. (They also gifted earned vacation days back to the company to help fund support efforts in India.)
Funds have been used to support a field hospital for COVID-19 patients that was established in New York City’s Central Park, as well as a respiratory care unit in Cremona, Italy.
“We have moved together to take care of all those who have been worst hit by the effects of the virus,” says Vijaylaxmi Poddar, chairperson of the BKT Foundation, which supports the Acting Together campaign.
“With courage, generosity, commitment, dedication and clear thought, we know that (the COVID-19 pandemic) is not finished and that the virus is still not beaten,” says BKT Chairman and Managing Director Arvind Poddar. “But we also know that this challenge we have faced together has made us even stronger and ready to act – once again – all together.”
