CA Boat Innaguration - 04 October 2005
HOPE Foundation has procured (with the help of Donors) 90 boats as livelihood kits for the fishermen of Pudupattinam and Uyyalikuppam villages. Of this, 13 boats, with engines, have been donated by Computer Associates (CA), Hyderabad.
Founded in 1976, CA is a global, multibillion-dollar company headquartered in the United States and operating in over 100 countries. They are a leading provider of solutions and services for management of infrastructure, storage, security and application life cycle, besides data and application development, portal technology and business intelligence.
In India, since inception in 1997, CA has expanded its operations considerably with offices in 8 cities - Bangalore, New Delhi and Mumbai (Solution Centres); Hyderabad (Technology Development Centre); Chennai (Global Technology Support Centre); Kolkata, Lucknow and Chandigarh.
On Oct 4th, 2005, the fishermen of the two villages came together with HOPE Foundation to welcome the honoured guests from CA Hyderabad and to inaugurate the boats donated by them.
The day’s proceedings started at 11 AM, when the CA Officers arrived at HOPE’s office at Pudupattinam.
The HOPE staff first introduced the Panchayath Leaders to the CA Officers. The dignitaries then watched a documentary on HOPE’s programs in the villages (prepared by the TV channel “Tamizhan TV”). The CA Officers then had a quick round of the facilities HOPE is building for the villagers – the Medical Clinic, School and HR Group Centre.
The group moved to the seashore, to the shamiana set up for the function.
Mr. V. Thennarasu (Program Co-ordinator, HOPE) introduced the CA officers to the Communities. The Panchayat Leader of Pudupattinam welcomed the guests, with other leaders from the villages adorning shawls on the Officers of CA, the Government and HOPE.
In his speech, Mr. K.M. Ragu Raman – BDO appreciated CA and HOPE for their contributions to the communities. P.V.K. Vasu – Chairman of the Panchayath Union, Tirukalukundram, also spoke on the occasion - appreciating CA and HOPE for the unique project of livelihood for the fishermen communities post Tsunami.
The Communities then joined hands to hand over a memento to Mr. Ryali Jogarao, V.P. Development- CA. Mrs. Malarvili Prabath (Director, Woman and Child Program, HOPE) gave an appreciation award – “HEART OF HOPE” to Mr. Jogarao.
Following this, HOPE’s staff presented each of the CA officers present with a memento.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ryali expressed the satisfaction both CA as well as he personally felt on been part of human development activity.
Leaders from both the villages then gave the Vote-of-Thanks.
As the penultimate event, children studying at the HOPE school performed a dance.
Finally Officers and staff of CA and HOPE proceeded to the seashore to cut the Ribbon and inaugurate the Boats.
After a short trip on the waves, the CA Officers, with accompanying HOPE staff, left for the Lunch and to the airport thereafter.
