The Hindu : New Delhi News : Finnair to provide for clean water for Bihar children

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Finnair to provide for clean water for Bihar children

New Delhi: It’s been over three years since Finnair began flying to India, and starting this month the Nordic carrier wants to do more than just that -- help provide clean drinking water and sanitation to children in Bihar.

Finnair, which connects Helsinki with New Delhi and Mumbai, has partnered UNICEF as part of a Change for Good programme that will over three years from now provide clean water and sanitation to children in Bihar, one of the country’s most backward States in terms of literacy.

“The objectives of the clean water and environment for the children of India programme include ensuring clean drinking water and adequate sanitation as well as providing a healthy and safe learning environment for the children of Bihar,” said Kari Stolbow, Director-Indian subcontinent, Finnair.

The airline has since 1999 collected nearly one million Euro for its campaign with UNICEF. The programme is a part of the charity work of Oneworld Alliance Airlines (the group of 12 air services operators).

Finnair would collect donations for the Bihar programme on its international flights starting this month end till January 10 next year.

“Over the years, the money acquired through the Change for Good collection has been directed to education programmes in Rwanda and Nepal, AIDS programme in Vietnam and Kaliningrad and an emergency relief project in Kosovo,” he said.

“A further objective of the programme is to encourage children, families and communities to adopt hygienic practises and practical water treatment measures,” Mr. Stolbow added. -- PTI

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