Foundation honours social workers

New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) The Sitaram Jindal Foundation Monday felicitated people and groups who have been contributing to society by empowering the underpriviledged.

“I was living in a deprived situation in my village, but one day I thought I would empower women. I convinced 10 women of my village to collect money and form a Swayam Sahatya Group, through which women can work for themselves,” said 42-year-old Phoolbasan Yadav, who studied till Class 7 and belongs to Chhattisgarh.

“We started with Rs.10 in 2001 and now we have Rs.25 crore in our SSG bank account,” Yadav told IANS after receiving an award of Rs.25 lakh for “exemplary service to mankind in any field” at the Taj Palace Hotel in Delhi.

Prizes totalling Rs.8 crore in eight categories were given to individuals and institutions have given selfless service to society.

Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Shayata Samiti, which has been providing over 20,000 artificial limbs each year to the disabled and Narain Seva Sansthan, Udaipur, which provides free treatment and rehabilitation to polio-affected people, were awarded Rs.1 crore to be shared equally.

“Established in 1969, the Sitaram Ram Jindal Foundation in an apolitical, non-religious and charitable trust,” said N.P Gupta, a member of the foundation.

IANS 2012-12-03 21:44:12