Sobha Limited

SOBHA Limited established the SOBHA Academy in 2007 to help rural poor communities escape poverty, ignorance, deprivation, and exclusion by providing their children with high-quality education. The Academy selects students through an open draw from a thoroughly researched list of eligible candidates. In the 2018-19 academic year, the Academy enrolled 1,137 students from LKG to Class 12 across the Vadakkenchery, Kizhakkenchery, and Kannambra panchayats. Each year, 90 new students are admitted, divided into three groups of 30. Once enrolled, the Academy provides all necessary support for the students, including food, transportation, uniforms, books, and medical care, free of charge.

SOBHA Limited has introduced various educational initiatives to support children. One notable programme by the Trust is 'SOBHA Icon,' which strives to create 'icons for India.' This initiative offers high-quality learning opportunities to talented students in government schools who lack the resources to reach their potential. Professional educators are engaged to improve the academic performance of over 250 deserving students through this programme.

SOBHA Limited, through the Sri Kurumba Educational and Charitable Trust, addresses the issue of poverty preventing women from marrying by organising social weddings. These weddings, free from dowry, have facilitated 590 marriages to date. Each year, the Trust helps around forty women marry, providing essential resources to start their married lives. Couples receive pre-marriage counselling, and the Trust's staff regularly monitors and supports them post-marriage.

SOBHA Limited offers the SOBHA Icon Higher Secondary Course, a two-year full-time programme for Science and Commerce students. Held on the SOBHA Icon Campus at Moolamcode, this rigorous, technology-driven programme operates six days a week and enrols 60 students per stream. It is registered with the Kerala State Open School for certification. Additionally, the Trust provides financial support to students from low-income families who secure merit seats in engineering and medical courses, covering all expenses such as tuition fees, uniforms, books, and essential accessories.

SOBHA Limited's SOBHA Hermitage is a 23-acre sanctuary dedicated to providing a caring home for the underprivileged, including senior citizens and young widows, referred to as "young mothers," along with their children. This facility embodies compassion, offering love, care, and support. Residents live in a safe, secular environment where they receive food, clothing, shelter, and premium resources and services, all at no cost.

SOBHA Limited's SOBHA Health Care Centre offers exemplary primary healthcare services to nearly 4,485 BPL families in adopted panchayats, residents of SOBHA Hermitage, and students and parents of SOBHA Academy. The Centre provides free consultations, diagnostics, treatments, and medicines. Outreach counters extend these services to the needy at their homes. On 12th October 2012, the Trust organised a cancer awareness programme led by renowned oncologist Dr. V.P. Gangadharan, benefiting many participants. From 2007 to 2018, the Centre treated 14,460 outpatients, and over 200,000 patients have benefited from its initiatives, highlighting its significant community impact.

SOBHA Limited's SOBHA Vocational Training Centre (SVTC) provides vocational training and paid apprenticeships in carpentry to youth from low-income families, with plans to expand to additional trades. SVTC offers both direct and indirect employment opportunities. Additionally, SOBHA has established other centres to provide training in computers, music, and tailoring.

SOBHA Limited's SOBHA Community Centre is a large, attractive facility designed to support the underprivileged. It hosts various community programmes, such as medical camps, orientation and training classes, and social weddings. The Centre includes a dining hall with a capacity for 300 people, where meals are provided twice daily at no cost to many needy individuals.

SOBHA Limited offers a comprehensive rehabilitation package for widowed mothers living at SOBHA Hermitage. This programme ensures their living, safety, and welfare at no cost. The mothers live with their children, are encouraged to continue their education, and many have graduated while others are progressing. All are employed at SOBHA Academy with good remuneration, allowing them to save. Their children receive quality education at SOBHA Academy and are also taught music and dance. Separate apartments are being constructed for them as their children grow older, and support is available for those wishing to remarry. This integrated social rehabilitation initiative prevents exploitation and reflects SOBHA's deep commitment to social service, exemplifying its philosophy of 'Devotion at Work'.

SOBHA Limited has undertaken the support of 50 widowed mothers and their children from the Kizhakkenchery panchayat. The organisation provides them with a monthly living allowance, clothing, medical care, and necessary personal items. Additionally, the Trust covers the educational expenses of their children, ensuring they have ample opportunities to advance in life.

SOBHA Limited's commitment to sustainable development is widely acknowledged through numerous awards and recognitions. This ethos extends to their CSR initiatives, where various green projects are underway. The entire campus was built with minimal carbon footprint, preserving the natural terrain. Large-scale rainwater harvesting systems are in place, alongside the planting of over 3000 herbs and plants to conserve biodiversity. Comprehensive waste management facilities manage generated waste effectively. Additionally, all CSR project sites are plastic-free, non-smoking, and non-alcoholic areas, reflecting their dedication to creating a healthier environment for humanity.

The Sri Kurumba Educational and Charitable Trust, under SOBHA Limited, has actively supported flood-affected families in Vadakkenchery and Kizhakkenchery panchayats by assisting in the reconstruction of their homes. Additionally, the Trust sponsors students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds who secure admissions into engineering and medical courses. They also undertake projects such as maintaining community ponds. All CSR initiatives are carried out in collaboration with local panchayat authorities, ensuring no financial burden on them. SOBHA Group advocates for initiatives like Graamasobha, encouraging other companies and organisations to adopt panchayats, believing it could significantly alleviate poverty and foster positive social change in India.