By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, December 21, 2015 : Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI) on Monday signed an MoU with the Odisha government to spend Rs 300 crore for eradication of malnutrition and woman development in the state for over eight to ten years.

“In terms of their commitment to our support for reducing the problem of malnutrition in Odisha, I think that commitment will be going very far in terms of the success of this project. I was very pleased to learn that you have been appointing nodal officers in each of the four key departments which have to work with us. We will be able to get a concerted end output in terms of what we achieved,” Azim Premji said.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed satisfaction over the reduction of malnutrition among women and overall development of their health.

Patnaik said, “I am delighted that an MoU has been signed between Government of Odisha and Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI) in collaborating with the state effort for reducing malnurtrition among women and chidren. I extend a hearty welcome to Mr Premji, founder of Wipro, an industry doyen, a well-known philanthropist, on his maiden visit to Odisha. I am very thankful to Mr Premji for extending his philanthropic endeavour by choosing Odisha as the first state to invest in the area of nutrition. It is an honour to have Mr Premji work with us to reduce malnutrition both for the cause and commitment for saving lives of children and improving the health of women.”

Later in a meeting with Premji, Patnaik urged Wipro chief to invest in information technology (IT), health and education sectors in the state. Premji responded to Patnaik’s appeal saying, “Wipro would soon expand its Bhubaneswar centre with larger facilities. We would consider investment in healthcare sector in Odisha. We would definitely look into the prospects of investment in other sectors.”

The MoU was signed in the presence of Wipro group chairman Azim Premji, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Women & Child Development Minister Usha Devi, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi and senior officials at the state secretariat here.

The APPI would improve the Integrated Child development Scheme (ICDS) delivery system, the flagship programme of the Women & Child Development Ministry.