India CSR News Network
VARANASI: Dr. Awadhesh Singh, MLA of Pindra (Varanasi) was the chief guest at an event organized by The Loomba Foundation, a United Nations-accredited global NGO that focuses exclusively on the cause of widow empowerment, at Pindra Tehsil Community Hall in the holy city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The event announced distribution of 424 sewing machines to widows across 30 different training centers in Varanasi.
Around 250 widows and other guests attended the event, which is part of The Loomba Foundation’s commitment to empower 5000 widows of Varanasi. On 22 January, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off The Loomba Foundation’s project which includes providing a 2-months’ skills training certificate course in garment-stitching and a foot-operated sewing machine to 5000 widows in Varanasi. The 2011 Population Census of India estimates that Varanasi has more than 90,000 widows.
MLA Dr. Awadhesh Singh said, “I am touched by the strong sense of purpose that is evident in this initiative undertaken by The Loomba Foundation to ensure that poor widows can lead a life of dignity and respect. I am honoured to be the Chief Guest of such a noble event that makes a real difference to humanity and creates micro-entrepreneurs for the Startup India mission.”
During the event, a documentary titled “Mission of The Loomba Foundation” was also shown to the audience on the various projects and supporters of The Loomba Foundation.
Atul Palta, Director – Skills Training and Empowerment, The Loomba Foundation said, “I am deeply thankful to Dr. Awadhesh Singh ji, Shri Yogeshwar Ram Mishra ji and other dignitaries to honor and encourage our team with their presence. He further added, “There are estimated 46 million widows in India. Most of them live in rural areas. They are uneducated and cannot find a job. They are dependable on their families and communities, who often abuse them physically, psychologically and sexually.
Palta feels that the Government of India should help widows as a matter of priority as it an issue that needs to be urgently addressed. In the light of recent communication from the Supreme Court to the Government regarding improving the state of widows in India – The Loomba Foundation feels strongly that the Government should consider the recommendations given by our Founder and Chairman, Lord Raj Loomba CBE, which are – (1) set up a National Commission for Widows; (2) Appoint a person in the Panchayats who is responsible for the well of widows in towns and villages; and (3) give a minority status to widows.
The Loomba Foundation, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year (1997-2017), has been the crusader for the welfare of poor widows and their children around the world. It is assisting over 15,000 impoverished widows in nine states, and has sponsored five-year-long education scholarships for more than 10,000 children of poor widows, supporting more than 60,000 of their family members across the entire country.
