GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN EXTENDS US$107,936 GRANT ASSISTANCE FOR TWO GRASSROOTS PROJECTS

NEW DELHI: 20 January 2006

The Embassy of Japan in India, under its scheme ‘Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects’, today decided to extend grant assistance totalling US$107,936 (approximately equivalent to Rs.48 lacs) to two Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to support vocational training and healthcare projects undertaken by them. The following NGOs and projects are receiving the Grants:

Aravali Education Society was formed with the objective of providing quality education, including vocational training and raising awareness for health, to promote better quality of life of the rural and backward minorities in Mewat District in Haryana.

In order to provide employment opportunities for young adults and to improve poverty problem in the villages, the organisation decided to establish a vocational institute. To augment the efforts of the organisation in providing vocational training for about 180 young adults annually, to develop their skills so that they can get employment or self-employed, the Embassy of Japan decided to grant them a sum of US$66,414 for constructing the building of the vocational institute.

Global Cancer Concern India was formed in 1995 to work for cancer care all over India. Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting the female population in the capital city. In the targeted area of slums and rural areas of Delhi and Gurgaon, the organisation is organising cancer screening programmes and sending the patients to clinics or hospitals for thorough check-up with proper follow-up.

To promote early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, the organisation decided to install a mammography machine, which is a special X-ray examination for breast cancer, in its diagnostic centre. Realising the need, the Embassy of Japan decided to grant them a sum of US$41,522 for installing the mammography machine, which will provide breast cancer examination at a low or free charge daily to about 10-20 poor women living in the targeted area.

The Signing Ceremony to formalize the arrangements is scheduled to take place at 1400 hrs. on Friday, 20 January 2006, at the Embassy of Japan, by Ambassador Yasukuni Enoki and the respective representatives of the above NGOs.

The scheme of "Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects" was introduced by the Government of Japan in 1989, to provide timely assistance directly to the activities of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) promoting welfare of the people in developing countries. Projects eligible for the grant assistance include such fields as primary healthcare, primary education, care of the handicapped people, poverty alleviation, enhancing status of women, public welfare, environment protection, etc. The Embassy of Japan and the Consulates General of Japan in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai are in charge of this scheme in their respective regions.

For further information, please contact Mr. Yasushi Furukawa, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan, Telephone No.2687-6564.