We Can’t Help Everyone, but Everyone Can Help Someone

The desire to help someone in need is hardwired in the human species. It doesn’t matter if the person is a stranger. When you see someone stumble and fall, you run to see if they’re hurt. This universal desire to help is subconscious and automatic … just like a heartbeat.

In India, as the number of COVID-19 cases rapidly increases, the ability to reach out and support those in need has become more challenging. Yet the desire to help is strong and the results are impressive.

Collins Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) teams from both our Bengaluru and Hyderabad sites are helping in significant ways:

CSR in both cities partnered with local non-profit organizations in the fight against COVID-19 and, together, donated a total $173,000 (₹13 million rupees). And with the lockdown impacting society’s most vulnerable people who need daily basic food supplies, a combined contribution of $7,500 (₹0.5 million rupees) was made to Youth for Seva to procure and deliver dry meal supplies for impoverished residents and migrant labor communities.

To support the Indian government’s effort to strengthen hospitals in both Bengaluru and Hyderabad, Collins CSR groups donated a total of $140,000 (₹10.5 million rupees) to the United Way to distribute hygiene and safety kits to healthcare staff and paramedics. A contribution of $25,500 (₹2 million rupees) was made to the NICE Foundation toward protection kits to equip police and sanitation personnel.

And Collins employees in both Bengaluru and Hyderabad came forward and contributed $1,800 (₹135,000 rupees) toward United Way. Amit Sawarkar, manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Bengaluru, is thankful but not surprised by this response. “Considering everything that is happening across India, the positive response to our COVID-19 donation drive reinforces the caring heart of our team. The contributions we’ve gathered to be used in the fight against COVID-19 are greatly appreciated and making an impact locally.”

Marwan Nizamuddin, lead software engineer, Bengaluru, is an avid biker and active participant for causes such as mental health and road safety. As a COVID-19 volunteer, he’s responsible for enforcing social distancing norms, coordinating efforts to restrict vehicular movement, and delivering medical supplies and food to stranded migrants and the needy in Bengaluru. He also has a very clear picture of who he’s fighting for.

“I know the value of every grain of rice on my plate,” says Marwan. “I’ve seen what hunger looks like in the eyes of innocent, poverty-stricken children who are even more in need due to the COVID-19 lockdown.”

Divyasree (Divya) Nuthalapati, Collins systems engineer, Hyderabad, is one of many employee volunteers. On weekends she packs grocery kits in association with the Akshaya Patra Foundation and Youth for Seva. Divya is also moved by the plight of stray dogs in her area. With the COVID-19 lockdown, there are fewer people out in public who help care for these friendly animals. Divya, with her engineering team’s support, has begun to feed these dogs.

The desire to help someone in need is hardwired in the human species. Thanks to people like Marwan, Divya, and their Collins’ employee volunteers, people across India are thankful for and benefiting from this most human of characteristics.

“The best way to find yourself,” says Divya, “is to lose yourself in service to others.”


Collins Aerospace is part of Raytheon Technologies, which is using its manufacturing capacity, and engineering, logistics and finance expertise, to carry out initiatives that serve our communities, deliver on our commitments to our customers and protect our employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To learn more about what we are doing in the fight against COVID-19 click here.