MAGNA INDIA:

TIME OF CRISIS

Ankur Khanna’s 10-year-old son Avi gave up his August birthday party with family and friends and donated the money to support a needy family during the COVID-19 pandemic in India.

It’s a lesson in giving that he learned from his father, a Magna India senior manager in marketing and communications. Khanna is one of 976 Magna India employees who voluntarily gave up a day’s salary to support the COVID efforts of the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (CARES) Fund.

“I thought it was the least I could do as a socially responsible citizen,” said Khanna.

Magna India employees in nine divisions and the corporate office participated in the program, which resulted in a $33,412 contribution to the public charitable trust. The Magna Matching Program doubles that amount to $66,824. It’s another example of Magna in Action, an attitude that means jumping in to help in our communities.

In addition to his Magna contribution, Khanna and his wife Priya privately helped to provide groceries to front-line workers, such as the housekeeping staff and security guards, in their apartment house.

Avi also turned his passion for sketching into a thank-you message for front-line workers and others grappling with the pandemic. His drawing shows a map of India and hands folded in the traditional “Namaste” Hindu greeting to express thanks. Magna employees in various India divisions such as Steyr-Pune, ESI-Pune and Seating Sanand created collages with similar inspirational messages during the India nationwide lockdown in April.

“I’m so thankful and proud to work for this great company,” Khanna said. “In the last few months, the focus has been on the health and safety of employees. And each one of the Magna in Action stories is unique and inspiring.”