Kochi: Delhi-based Pernod Ricard India Charitable Foundation has come forward to help a flood affected handloom society in Chendamangalam by providing funds to repair all the damaged looms.
The Foundation is providing Rs. 30,000 each to 54 weavers in three phases. The funds are being provided through Kochi-based NGO Gopalji Foundation, which has already given financial assistance to seven weavers.
President of Gopalji Foundation D. Chandrasenan handed over assistance to 18 weavers on Friday. Another 18 weavers would get assistance in the second phase and the remaining weavers would get funds in the third phase.
Earlier, representatives of Gopalji Foundation visited the flood-hit areas in Chendamangalam to get a first-hand information on the condition of handloom weavers. “Later, a senior official of Pernod Ricard India Foundation who was on vacation in his home state during the flood approached us and promised support to the weavers from their CSR funds. The Foundation has offered help to all weavers of one society in several phases,” said Jerit Venugopal, secretary of Gopalji foundation.
Funds are being provided to 54 weavers of the Society number – 3428, most of them women. Pernod Ricard Foundation has also assured that after completing the fund distribution, they are willing to extend further support including marketing of handloom products. The charitable trust is funding the initiative through Delhi based Advit Foundation.
More than 300 looms in the weavers’ village had been damaged in the floods. The state government has recently set up a panel to coordinate rehabilitation of the weavers.
