In a first of its kind contribution, the U.S.-India Chamber of Commerce Foundation donated $25,000 towards the India Development Fund to be used towards skill development of war widows.
Under the programme, war widows will be provided a laptop and an American university will offer online courses in skill development.
The Founding Chairman of the chamber, Ashok Mago, who won Padma Shri in 2014, said: “What we have given today is a seed fund. We hope others too contribute to the cause. We will speak to the Dallas Country Community College to help us in providing online coaching content.”
Expects Ministry nod
Mr. Mago hoped that the Defence Ministry would agree to the proposal. He said that since NRIs could select specific projects under the India Development Fund, he had chosen to help war widows.
“As I grew up in Ambala Cantonment, I have seen the travails of the widows and skill development could help in providing a proper livelihood post traumatic period,” he added.
