Theory of Corporate Social Responsibility (C.S.R.)

To make this theory a reality, Dr. Kurian John Melamparambil advocates and practices that: Almost all are doing business with others money i.e. money from the public. Either from bank or from shareholders depending upon the nature of the business. ‘Larger the business, higher the dependency on public fund’. Therefore, an industrialist or businessman is not only an organizer cum custodian of the business but also the trustee of public money. Therefore, the public has the right and he has the obligation to share the profit (depending upon the capacity of the business) he makes to the needy i.e. “Corporate Social Responsibility is humanitarianism, not charity, but social, moral obligation of each and every individual and institution”.

At present, Dr. Kurian John Melamparambil sets apart more than 50% of his income from the revenue received from his business for Charity. The principle behind the share of contribution of Dr. Kurian John Melamparambil to charity for helping in treatment of poor and needy patients is ‘progressive’. As the income from his business increases, his share of contribution also increases, i.e., just like the principle of progressive taxation. He intends to contribute up to 90% depending upon his growth of revenue.

In a nutshell, “The Income one makes either from business, from employment or from any other source, is to be shared with the sick and the poor, to make them self dependant in their health to the maximum extent possible. So in general, Selfless Service to Humanity is the best work of life for a better world order”.

In the context of globalization and liberalization, privatization is an important factor. Due to privatization the individual / Corporate gets more freedom of operation. If the freedom of operation is not channeled in a disciplined way by giving more importance to moral values and social obligation / responsibility, it will certainly lead to all kinds of evils of capitalism and feudalism, even slavery by taking away all the merits of a new world order for better refined living.

Nowadays, as a part of World Bank direction, the government is withdrawing from the welfare activities especially in the field of medical aid and treatment for poor patients. Patients are going to be treated only as customers. Those who have the capacity to pay will get treatment. In this situation, outlook of the individual and the corporate for doing humanitarian services should change i.e. main concentration should be on “Self dependency on Health”.

‘Health’ – only the basic need

Food, clothing and shelter are said to be the basic needs of a human being, but Dr. Kurian John Melamparambil differs on this. According to him, sound health to a person, both physically and mentally is what is primarily required to make him self-dependent. Food, clothing and shelter come only next to that. If a person is healthy, he/she will be able to work and satisfy his/her needs. If a society has healthy people, there will be self dependency, and consequently there will also be less number of social problems/evils. So providing health to a person is of primary importance for a better civilized society. Thus “the healthier the society, the higher the self dependency, lesser the social problems/evils/crime, the richer in peace, prosperity and civilization”.

The Method of Operation

The Application form of Melam Charities is available on every Second Saturday at Melamparambil buildings, Melam Junction, Tiruvalla. The application form is divided into three parts.

The first part has to be filled by the patient, which includes his/her personal details.

The second part has to be filled by the hospital authorities i.e., by the concerned doctor who treats the patient and it includes the nature of disease, duration and amount required for treatment.

The identification and selection of patients has to be done by the people’s elected representatives. Therefore, the third part has to be filled and signed by local ward member / councilor and countersigned by concerned MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) / MP (Member of Parliament) if he/she is eligible for treatment. In addition to this the applicant should produce the attested copy of the BPL ration card.

After covering the above said formalities, the applicant through his relative or by himself can submit the application at the office of Melam Charities on any second Saturday from 7.30 a.m.

There, the patient or his/her relative will be interviewed personally by Dr. Kurian John Melamparambil who assesses the nature of treatment required and the patient will be referred to the concerned hospital depending upon the nature of the disease. For e.g., a cancer patient will be sent to an institute like Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum while a psychic patient will be sent to a mental hospital. The patient will be given a letter of sponsorship. No cash is given directly to the patient. The hospital authorities after giving the treatment will send the bill to Dr. Kurian John Melamparambil with 30 days credit and he settles the bill accordingly.

Once a needy patient is identified and selected for treatment he/she will be eligible for free medical treatment till he/she recovers.

So Dr. Kurian John Melamparambil concentrates and discharges his Corporate Social Responsibility through humanitarian work by helping the poor and needy patients in their treatment to make them self-dependent to the maximum extent possible on health grounds through his charitable society M/s. Melam Charities International.

Already Melam Charities has provided treatment to more than One Lakh Twenty Five Thousand patients through 877 different hospitals in India.