Corporates could do more for public causes, CM Kumaraswamy

MYSURU: Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday said the state would see faster progress if private corporates could do more for public causes and cited Infosys as a shining example for practice of corporate philanthropy. Speaking at the inauguration of Dasara festivities in Mysuru, he said, “If everyone demonstrates the same large-heartedness, we can see a better state soon.” The Infosys Foundation, he said, has supported the police department with Rs 22 crore to upgrade technology at the cybercrime unit and Rs 200 crore to build the metro station at Electronic City in Bengaluru. In Mysuru, the foundation has spent Rs 38 crore to revive the Hebbal lake and is going to spend Rs 15 crore for its development.

In her remarks for the Dasara celebrations at Chamundeshwari temple in Mysuru, Sudha Murty, who is also the chairperson of Infosys Foundation, announced Rs 25 crore to build homes for those displaced by landslides in Kodagu district.

The foundation, she said, would build homes for the poor if the government provided plots of land, roads, electricity and water. “We want plots with clear titles and approach roads in about three or four villages. We will build houses for the poor families affected by floods,” Murty told ET.


She considered it a privilege to inaugurate the Dasara festivities and thanked the government for inviting her to inaugurate the event.

The heritage city has a festive look with tourists, both from India and overseas, flocking to the city. The hospitality industry has about 7,500 rooms across 300 hotels, and bookings are said to be picking up with celebrations set to go on beyond the Navarathri season.