Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) over the years has gained global acceptance as a standard to assume environmentally sustainable and socially equitable business practices. This has happened as the role of businesses world-wide has evolved from the ‘profit maximizing’ approach to the ‘social responsibly’ approach, whereby businesses have become responsible to all its stakeholders in a broader more inclusive sense.
The banking sector of Bangladesh has been actively participating in various social activities and the Bangladesh Bank has taken the initiatives in formalizing CSR for the sector by issuing directives to the banks and, financial institutions. This includes the financial inclusion of the underprivileged, promotion of health, education and cultural/recreational activities for advancement and well being of the underprivileged population segments, promotion of environment friendly projects, humanitarian & disaster relief projects and adoption of energy efficient, carbon footprint reducing internal processes and practices in offices and establishments.
In regards to CSR, Jamuna Bank, has earned mentionable applause in playing an important role in this field with the objective of helping the destitute/underprivileged segment of the society and for the socio-economic development of the country. The bank for this purpose made a provision for its CSR wing, the Jamuna Bank Foundation, at 2.00% on pretax profit of Jamuna Bank Limited. As Jamuna Bank’s non-profit subsidiary, Jamuna Bank Foundation has had a unique role to play, helping the destitute and distressed people of the society as well as to create awareness/inspire people regarding their social responsibilities and commitments towards nation. The Foundation was started by AI-Haj Nur Mohammed who is well known for his philanthropic activities and contribution to social welfare. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jamuna Bank Limited from April 29, 2007 to April 26, 2008. He has been serving as the Founder Chairman of Jamuna Bank Foundation since its inception in 2007.
The Jamnuna Bank Foundation is involved in a whole host of CSR activities. The most prominent of these include the awarding of scholarships to the unprivileged and meritorious students for higher studies, voluntary blood donation programs by the bank’s staff, establishing free eye checkup camps, the Mobile Medical Treatment program, providing relief assistance to the people affected by natural calamities, distribution of blankets to distressed people, establishment of old homes and anti-drug seminars. The foundation also provides grants for the Prime Minister Relief fund to help for the Peel Khana BDR tragedy and to help the burn victims of Nimtoly. The foundation has also provided grants for the establishment of the Liberation War Museum, Jamuna Bank free Primary School and Madrasa. Besides these, arrangement of free plastic surgery is also provided which is done by the foreign (Netherland) expert/specialist medical team for the poor patients having cleft lips and cleft palate in different districts of the country.
Amongst some of its larger projects were the establishment of the model village at Sena Para remote area under the Thakurgaon district and the establishment of the solar village at Char Tertakia, P.S. Pakundia under Kishoregonj district. Char Tertakia is the remotest char area where no electricity was available. However, the Foundation arranged electricity supplies for every household. Since then the students of that village are able to study at night using solar light and the villagers can perform all works during the night without any hindrances.
Besides these activities, the Foundation provides many items like sewing machines, vans and rickshaws for the rehabilitation of disabled people and even freedom fighters. These noble programs are continuing throughout the country over the last few years with many more extensive plans to help the society in the pipeline. Jamuna Bank Foundation’s work for our society has been exceptional and can serve as shining example for others to follow in their own CSR divisions.
