1. The Embassy of Japan in India, under its scheme ‘Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects’, today decided to extend grant assistance totaling US$ 38,975 (approximately equivalent to Rs.18 lacs) to one Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) to support an education project undertaken by it. The following NGO and project is receiving the Grant:

(i) Manav Seva Sansthan ‘SEVA’ was established in 1988 for the socio-economic development of vulnerable sections of the society, especially women and children. In the targeted area of Gorakhpur District in UP, the community lives in poverty in the forest, and most of the girls, instead of attending school, are working to supplement their family income, and get married at their early teenage. To solve this problem, the organization planned a project for establishing a primary school building, which will provide education opportunities as well as address the rights of the girl children to quality education and development.

    Realizing the need, the Embassy of Japan decided to give a grant assistance of US$ 38,975 for the project, which will provide primary education to around 370 girls and help improve the status of female children and adults in the community.

2. The Signing Ceremony to formalize the arrangements is scheduled to take place at 1600 hrs. on Friday, August 11, 2006, at the Embassy of Japan, by H.E. Mr. Yasukuni Enoki, Ambassador of Japan, and the respective representatives of the above NGO.

3. 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 Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai are in charge of this scheme in their respective regions.

4. For further information, please contact Mr. Yasushi Furukawa, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan. Telephone No.91-11-2687-6564.