UN Foundation, ICICI launch project for India's poor

Friday, 22 October 2004, 19:30 IST
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WASHINGTON: The UN Foundation and ICICI Bank have launched a partnership to tackle problems in India like poverty, environmental degradation and the spread of HIV/AIDS and also help empower women. The partnership, called Pride in India, will work together to multiply the funds that are sent to India in the form of remittances and is expected to raise approximately $180,000. A major part of the money collected in the joint campaign would be used to help eradicate polio among India's children. If this year's pilot is successful, the programme will be expanded in 2005. Through Dec 26, 2004, ICICI Bank will set aside $1 each for the UN Foundation Pride in India campaign when people visit the website - "http://www.money2india.com" to send money to their relatives in India. The UN Foundation will add $1 for each remittance, thus magnifying the size and impact of contributions made to UN causes. "India is at a critical juncture of its development and is striving to become a developed country by the year 2020," said Seema Paul, director of the UN Foundation's Pride in India Initiative. "It is imperative to mobilize the India-centric community toward this goal. Our partnership with ICICI provides a simple, yet exciting, opportunity for us to come together and contribute to India's advancement." P. Gopakumar, deputy general manager and head of NRI business, ICICI Bank, said: "This partnership with the UN Foundation will undoubtedly go a long way in helping the country." The UN Foundation has invested more than $28 million in India's economic and social development as well as environmental protection. Based in Washington DC, the foundation works closely with the United Nations to promote a more peaceful, prosperous and just world, according to a press release. ICICI Bank is India's second largest private bank. It provides a broad spectrum of financial services to individuals and companies, including mortgages, car and personal loans, credit and debit cards, and serves a growing customer base of more than 10 million people.
Source: IANS
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