A cheque for Rs. 4,95,944 collected through the “6 for a Cause” initiative of The Hindu in collaboration with VGN Developers, was handed over to the Ekam Foundation here on Thursday.
The Foundation is a charitable trust providing healthcare for the underprivileged children.
Seeing the World Cup and the excitement around it as having the potential of supporting a social cause, the campaign was based on an arrangement that for every “six” that an Indian batsman had hit during the league matches of the World Cup, VGN Developers would donate Rs. 10,000 to the Ekam Foundation. The Hindu had invited contributions from its readers as well.
With 26 sixes bringing in Rs.2.6 lakh for the cause, VGN decided to add to its contribution, raising the amount to Rs. 4 lakh. The Hindu readers also made a contribution of over Rs. 90,000.
Founder Trustee of Ekam Foundation Meera Menon, who received the cheque from N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu , said the sum would be used to support two children from Vellore and Chengalpattu now undergoing treatment at the Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital. A portion of the sum would go towards purchasing drugs and conducting lab tests for children at The Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children (ICH), Chennai.
“In Chennai, we work with the ICH and we want to expand our work to cover more government hospitals in other districts,” said Ms. Menon. The Foundation has tied up with 18 private hospitals in the city.
Managing Director of VGN Developers Pratish Devadoss said this was one way of giving back to society. “It is a corporate social responsibility initiative. It gives us tremendous joy to be able to contribute in some way. We would like to be part of initiatives that support causes such as education, nutrition and health care and shelter. It is our responsibility.”
Terming the initiative “a good start,” Mr. Ram said the Ekam Foundation was doing excellent work in providing free medical care to the unprivileged children. “The title sponsor over-fulfilled its commitment and contributed more than the Rs.2.6 lakh for the 26 sixes,” he said.
In a similar initiative, The Hindu and Chennai Super Kings collaborated with VGN Developers to launch the ‘6 for a cause' campaign in the context of the ongoing Indian Premier League. Every time a batsman from the Chennai Super Kings hits a six in the IPL, VGN will donate Rs. 2,500 to the Ekam Foundation.
Readers can also donate to the Foundation online through www.thehindu.com/6foracause. Donations through cheque could be made in favour of ‘ The Hindu – Ekam' and mailed to HB no. 999, C/o The Hindu , Chennai 600 002.
All funds raised are eligible for tax exemption as per Sec 80-G rules and will be used for the Ekam's Bala Arogya Suraksha Project, an initiative aimed at supporting newborns and their mothers by providing life-saving neo-natal care. For more information on the Ekam Foundation, visit www.ekamoneness.org.
This report has been corrected for a factual error
