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Japan-India Relations
Press Release No.13

NEW DELHI: December 15, 2008

GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN EXTENDS US$ 76,845 GRANT ASSISTANCE TO
ISHWAR CHARITABLE TRUST FOR ITS GRASSROOTS PROJECT
1. The Embassy of Japan in India, under its scheme ‘Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects’, today decided to extend grant assistance totaling US$ 76,845 (approximately equivalent to Rs.38　lacs) to Ishwar Charitable Trust, to support a free ophthalmic medical service project undertaken by it. The NGO and the project receiving the Grant is as follows:

(i) Ishwar Charitable Trust has been providing ophthalmic service for those who are underprivileged and aged in rural areas, since its establishment in 1993. The organization has been conducting ophthalmic camps every week in Haryana, Noida, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and the slum areas in Delhi, where patients can be diagnosed and transported to the base hospital for surgeries, if needed. The base hospital, located at Noida and run by the organization, treats around 8,000 patients annually, and more than a total of 98,000 ocular surgeries such as cataract have been performed so far. Despite all the efforts that the organization has made to provide ophthalmic services free of charge or nominal fees, shortage of equipment only allows receiving a limited number of patients. To meet the great demand from rural aged people in need, the organization has decided to upgrade conditions of the facility. Realizing its need, the Embassy of Japan has decided to grant them a sum of US$76,845 for the project. 

2. The Signing Ceremony to formalize the arrangements is scheduled to take place at 1500 hrs, on Monday, 15th December, 2008, at the Embassy of Japan, between Mr. Masashi Mizukami, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, and the representative 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 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. Hisashi Sakata, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan. Telephone No. is 2687-6564.