Pratham USA, recipient of $250,000 as part of Deloitte21 Challenge
By siliconindia   |   Tuesday, 21 June 2011, 19:32 IST
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Fremont: Pratham USA was declared as a recipient of the $250,000 grant as a part of the Deloitte21 challenge by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTTL). Pratham USA, founded in the slums of Mumbai in 1994 with UNICEF support, directs urban programs, including pre-schools, community libraries and remedial learning programs reach hundreds of thousands of children every year. Deloitte21 was an initiative by Deloitte organization that aims to help the underprivileged people acquire some education and skills that would help them survive in this challenging 21st century economy. Sangita Karra, VP of Development of Pratham USA, accepted a certificate. Ainar Aijala, the chief Chief Corporate Development Officer of DTTL quoted Ghanaian scholar Dr James Emmanuel Kwegyir Aggrey while addressing the gathering. He said," It is said that if you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a nation." Hundreds of the unfortunate young women will acquire secondary school certifications and also develop their vocational skills at the Pratham USA’s new achievement centers that will help them be self-sufficient and gain employment when they return to their local villages. Launching in July 2011, the new residential centers will impart training to students that are mainly focused on technology, leadership, entrepreneurship, creativity, and problem solving. They will also receive assistance in looking for jobs and will be encouraged to start their own enterprises. In addition to which the students would also learn how to impart their skills to others so they can help improve the livelihoods of those in their local villages. "Pratham USA is delighted to join hands with Deloitte United States in launching this essential new initiative focusing specifically on young women, a particularly underserved and in-need population in India," says President of Pratham USA, Atul Varadhachary. "The achievement centers are a unique effort that not only leverages 15+ years of ground experience that Pratham's field staff has, but also the professional skills and management expertise of Deloitte United States's volunteers. With the benefit of this partnership, thousands of young women will be afforded an unprecedented opportunity to advance their education and also transfer their learnings to future generations."

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