1. The Embassy of Japan in India, under its scheme “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects”, today decided to extend grant assistance totaling US$327,397 (approximately equivalent to Rs.1 crore 49 lakh) to four Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to support their respective projects. The NGOs and projects receiving the Grants are as follows:

(i) TAMANA

has been working to provide holistic special education for children and adults with developmental disabilities such as autism, in Delhi, since its establishment in 1984. TAMANA provides educational services in such fields as vocational training for achieving vocational independence. As it is faced with growing needs of students, TAMANA requires additional rooms in the existing school in order to provide effective and sustainable training. To this end, the Embassy of Japan has decided to grant them assistance of US$63,892 for the proposed project.

(ii) Utthan–Centre for Sustainable Development and Poverty Alleviation

has been working to provide education for the underprivileged and other people living below the poverty line, at Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, since its establishment in 1996. The organisation has been running several schools, but is now receiving an increasing number of primary school students. Now it is necessary to provide primary education for more children and the construction of additional class rooms is indispensable. To this end, the Embassy of Japan has decided to grant them assistance of US$83,697 for the proposed project.

(iii) Manav Seva Sansthan

has been working to implement a variety of socio-economic development projects for the vulnerable layers of the society, especially for women and children, at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, since its establishment in 1988. It is also working to promote child rights and to prevent human trafficking of women and children. Currently, the organisation is running a shelter for street children living around the Gorakpur Railway Station. In view of growing needs, it is necessary for the organisation to establish a comprehensive rehabilitation center, in order to upgrade its services and to provide long-term care such as education, vocational training, medical and mental care for street children. To this end, the Embassy of Japan has decided to grant them assistance of US$ 100,084 for the proposed project.

(iv) HelpAge India

has been working to provide social welfare and health care services all over India, since its establishment in 1978. The organisation has supported more than 4600 projects such as old age homes, day-care centre, nutritional improvement, free cataract operations, and so on. In view of the growing needs at Patiala in Punjab, the organisation requires a new day-care centre building in order to provide effective health care and other support for disadvantaged old people. To this end, the Embassy of Japan has decided to grant them assistance of US$79,724 for the proposed project.

2. The Signing Ceremony to formalize the arrangements will take place at 11:00.hrs., on Monday, 28th February 2011, at the Embassy of Japan, between Mr.Hajime Hayashi, Chargé d’Affaires, and the representatives of the above NGOs.

3. For further information , please contact Mr. Goki INADA, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan, Telephone No.2687-6564.