Diageo India, in partnership with BharatCares and the Government of Assam, has provided support for the construction of TAPOVAN, an Elder Care Home in Sonitpur, Assam. The Elder Care Home was inaugurated by Shri. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Honourable Chief Minister of Assam. Also present at the ceremony were Shri Deba Kumar Mishra, District Commissioner – Sonitpur, Shri. Prithviraj Rabha, MLA-Tezpur, Dr Lakshmi Goswami, President of Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) – Tezpur, along with senior government officials, prominent individuals from Tezpur and members from the Diageo India and BharatCares.
At the event Ashish Parikh, EVP &Chief Operating Officer, Diageo India handed over the completed project to the District Commissioner – Sonitpur in the presence of the Honourable Chief Minister of Assam. The Elder Care Home includes facilities like bedrooms, washrooms, dining area and kitchen, recreation areaand is Persons with Disability (PwD) friendly. Shri. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Honourable Chief Minister of Assam Said “Expansion to other locations will be planned in the future as demand increases. The Indian Council of Child Welfare will look after the Elder Care Home.”
Diageo India is actively involving Assam in its CSR programmes by providing healthcare facilities like medical equipment to civil hospitals and advanced life support ambulances. Diageo India is enhancing employability and livelihood opportunities through its ‘Learning for Life’ programme, which provides hospitality sector training through a National Skill Development Council (NSDC) certified program, with over 50% of beneficiaries being women. Ashish Parikh, EVP & Chief Operating Officer, Diageo India said, “TAPOVAN in collaboration with BharatCares is a step forward in enhancing the welfare of elderly citizens who are often a vulnerable section in our society.”