Hyderabad:  Gemini Edibles and Fats India Pvt Ltd (GEF India), the marketers and refiners of Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils as a part of their CSR initiative extend support to the rural women by procuring 2.5 Lakh face masks through the SGHs (Self-help group) in the rural areas of 3 districts are Kamareddy, Hyderabad & Warangal of Telangana State. This is an initiative to support the domestic craftsmen who are severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Locked out of their livelihoods, the local crafts-persons require unusual solutions and the united efforts of the government, craft organizations, and corporates to help them tide over the crisis. Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils is taking nearly 2,50,000 masks from the SHGs in 3 districts of Telangana to help them tide over the crisis. The facemasks sourced as a part of this initiative will be distributed free with each case (Pack of 16 pouches) of Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils to help the channel partners safeguard themselves from COVID-19 by using the masks. The main objective of this is the retailer should wear the mask every time. The scheme will be valid till the stocks last.    

Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils Supports Self Help Groups from 3 districts in Telangana during COVID-19 pandemic

• Sources 2.5 Lakhs Masks to be distributed
• Sourced 50,000 metres of cloths to stich the masks
• Various Self-Help Groups (SHG) coordinated with the district administration of Kamareddy, Hyderabad and Warangal to get the mask prepared by rural women
• Several Screen Printers were engaged for printing the masks and labour engaged for packing.
• The initiative creates a positive impact on the Rural Economy and supports the rural artisans during COVID-19 pandemic

Speaking about the initiative Mr. P Chandrashekhara Reddy Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils said “At GEF India, we always look for ways to support the communities where we operate. This initiative to source facemasks through self-help groups in districts of Telangana will help the local craftsmen, severely impacted by lack of demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By distributing the masks to the channel partners with each case of Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils we will ensure that the retailer will always have a mask to protect him during this pandemic. In the past, we have organized several workshops for women to make them independent and self-reliant through initiatives like Freedom self-employment cookery workshop, etc. I hope this initiative will help the rural economy and safeguard our channel partners.”

GEF India has been at the forefront in helping the local communities as they fight the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic by donating Rs. 2.5 Crores towards the PM Cares & CM Relief Funds for the geographies they operate in. They have also helped the poor and needy in and around their plant by providing support for monthly rations.