TATA CHEMICALS Champions Social Causes with the "DESH KO ARPAN" Programme


The Desh Ko Arpan Programme, launched by Tata Chemicals to champion socially relevant causes, has today made a contribution of Rs. 33 lakhs to CRY - Child Rights and You. The cheque was handed over by Tata Chemicals Managing Director, Mr. Prasad Menon, in the presence of children from the CRY-supported project, Lok Vikas Samajik Sansthan, Nashik " one of the projects funded by Tata Chemicals. The "Desh Ko Arpan" programme, committed to champion socially relevant causes for under-privileged children was launched by Tata Chemicals on August 15, 2002 and is part of its ongoing social and community development initiatives.

Through this programme, Tata Chemicals Ltd. contributes 10 paise for every kilo of Tata Salt sold, to a worthy cause. Child Rights and You (CRY) has been chosen as the beneficiary for this maiden effort and the money raised will support 6 child development initiatives across the country, touching the lives of over 12,000 children.

This effort has impacted the lives of children in 45 slums and 19 villages across the country. The funds have enabled the functioning of 22 non-formal education centres, 2 balwadis, 2 coaching centres and helped improve the functioning of 27 government schools. CRY has provided all 6 initiatives with financial support as well as inputs in planning, monitoring, evaluation and networking.

Says Mr. Prasad Menon The Desh Ko Arpan campaign has strong synergies and the belief in the power of ordinary individuals to make a difference. More importantly, Desh Ko Arpan provides millions of Indians, who are buyers of Tata Salt, a genuine opportunity to make a contribution that will transform the lives of underprivileged children across India.

Adds Ms. Ingrid Srinath, Director, Resource Mobilisation, CRY, We are proud to be associated with Tata Chemicals. The relationship is a live example of how corporates and development organisations can work together to change the lives of our most vulnerable citizens our children.

For Tata Chemicals, this is just the beginning. A part of its continuing commitment to the nation, it plans to work closely with CRY in the future to explore the possibilities of developing newer initiatives in the area of Child Rights and in creating a new generation of educated young Indians - irrespective of color, caste, and creed.

Established in 1939, Tata Chemicals Limited is one of India's leading manufacturers of inorganic chemicals and fertilizers. Part of the Rs 400-billion (US$ 9billion) Tata Group, the company owns and operates the largest and most integrated inorganic chemical complex in the country at Mithapur, Gujarat. The Fertiliser Complex in Babrala, Uttar Pradesh is known for its world-class energy efficiency standards, and has won several awards in the fields of environmental conservation, community development and safety. Tata Chemicals is today widely acknowledged as the leader in the chemicals and fertiliser industries. The company has a turnover of about Rs 1500 crores and employs over 3000 personnel. For more information visit http://www.tatchemicals.com or http://tatachemicals.com/0_company/events/20021223_cry.htm

CRY is Child Rights and You, a registered Indian trust working towards building a people's movement to restore to India's underprivileged children their most basic rights. CRY harnesses the money, time and skills of thousands of individuals and organisations to partner 163 child development initiatives across India. CRY is governed by values of respect for human dignity, transparency, accountability, secularism, non-violence and the spirit of innovation.

For further information, please contact: Ms. Sulaxmi Laud at cryinfo.mum@crymail.org