Satyam Computer Services, a global consulting and IT services provider, has announced that its corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm, the Satyam Foundation, launched its sixth chapter, in Visakhapatnam in south India. The Satyam Foundation, an ISO 9001:2000-certified CSR, helps vulnerable and underprivileged people in urban areas. It focusses on seven areas: livelihoods, street children, education, environment, empowerment of disabled persons, HIV/AIDS and overall health.

Satyam Foundation's CSR activities in Visakhapatnam began in February 2008, when initiatives to help local communities were taken up as part of Satyam’s 20-year anniversary celebrations. The formal launch will reinforce those efforts to enable social transformation in and around the city.

Initial efforts in Vizag include encouraging volunteerism and creating enabling platforms, alliances, and partnerships with the community, NGOs, government agencies, and businesses. These efforts will help identify and prioritise Satyam Foundation programmes, which leverage key Satyam differentiators, such as technology and innovation.

"Wherever Satyam has a significant presence, we lead programmes that serve both the corporation and society," said Naveen Yelloji, CEO and director of Satyam Foundation. "The incubation of the 'Call 104' Health Helpline and the subsequent scaling up of comprehensive health services to all residents of Andhra Pradesh are some examples of the work we do."

In addition to its headquarters in Hyderabad, Satyam Foundation now has six chapters in India. They are in Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Gurgaon, Pune and Vizag. Efforts to open chapters in Australia, China, the UK and US are under way.