They are considered the biggest beneficiaries of India's economic growth. Their labour, that largely goes into pushing the boundaries of technology, fetches them handsome rewards. Yet, employees of large IT companies frequently face the criticism that they don't contribute to society's development in spite of having benefited from it.

Thomas Payyapilli listens to the comments patiently with a nod that hardly suggests its rejection or acceptance. "A lot of it (social responsibility) is personal. We must be very lucky to be at this time and age, where there are more opportunities for us to earn and live better. But several others are not too privileged like us and we must help them," he says, insisting social responsibility initiatives are driven more by motivated individuals with support coming from their respective organisations.

At Microsoft India, in which Thomas is director, Business Support at their Global Technical Support Centre (GTSC), employees are encouraged to contribute both money and time. Thomas says employees of his division have been involved in voluntary work, including educating rural children, sport and fun events and collecting sums for buying aids for disabled children.

Though information on voluntary and donation activities are made freely available to the employees - a large contingent of whom are also members of the `community council' that holds monthly meetings to decide on projects that deserve their support - the choice of participating in social responsibility initiatives is left to the individuals.

Thomas says employees come forward to donate during their quarterly in-house event, in which a cricket bat signed by members of Team India is auctioned. Successful bidders keep the bat till the next event, while all the bidders donate the bid amount to a fund that goes to a project the employees support.

Vishal Talreja, co-founder and director of Dream A Dream, an NGO that works with 500 children from vulnerable communities (who have taken the help of volunteers from GTSC), says NGO's like his have maintained a volunteer model of functioning to sensitise communities.

"There is a sense of welcome and respect for volunteer efforts at our NGO," he says. "And, we always make sure that there is a bit of fun in what we do. Volunteers, of whom we have around 500 in our growing database (mostly from those in corporate organisations like GTSC), are also made to understand the fun-and-work atmosphere here. Once they get into the groove, they feel encouraged to actively contribute," he adds.
Indeed, the vision of Dream A Dream is to create an equal society by empowering street children, children in slums, run away kids, orphans and HIV positive children with the help of volunteers. Vishal believes the model also helps in the children's emotional well-being.

“Microsoft GTSC has organised several volunteer orientation sessions for us at their campus and has actively promoted our activities and events," Vishal reveals. "Most recently, Microsoft GTSC was the main supporter of a theatre production organised by Dream A Dream, the proceeds of which have helped us greatly in bringing further sustainability to our programs. We have also had a team from Microsoft GTSC take part two weeks back in an art workshop with children from one of our partner centres: Makkala Jagriti (HSR layout)."

Thomas describes that event as the most memorable one, with children displaying their paintings in GTSC's campus. "Children were quite elated to be here," he says. "Besides spending time with them, we have bought some pictures, as a sign of encouragement to children."

Besides GTSC, employees of several prominent organisations such as HDFC, Fidelity, Nortel, etc. volunteer to work with children at Dream A Dream. Vishal says he helps set up volunteer-based activities at six other NGO's partnering with Dream A Dream, apart from putting the companies through to several others who are part of the larger civil society networks and groups.

"After spending time with us, volunteers gain a greater sense of awareness about the realities of our society. It also makes them understand the value of care and compassion that is not so readily available to the most vulnerable sections of the society," says Vishal.