Join New Year Celebrations and feel the difference

Dear Friends :

Greetings and good wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year !

Indian Development Foundation (formerly Indian Leprosy Foundation) will be organising a Citizen's Reach-out Programme on 29th December 2007 (Saturday) at 4:30 PM at Vimala Dermatological Centre, Versova, Yari Road, Andheri (W), Mumbai 400 061. We cordially invite you and family to participate in this public event and share the joy of happiness.

Every year we conduct New Year celebrations with leprosy patients and children of Vimala Centre, distribute gifts, eats and items of daily use. Such Citizens' Reach-out programme has gained momentum over twenty five years now. Citizens from different walks of life will gather at the centre to greet the inmates and children during the festive occasion.

Leprosy patients on this occasion get the happy feeling that there are kind-hearted citizens who consider them as part of society and care for their welfare. The citizens-patients interaction during festive occasion has gained year after year.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to help those who are in dire need and who deserve your kind words, help and sympathy.

We would request you and friends to participate in the event and share the joy of participation.

With kind regards and good wishes,

Dr. Narayan B. Iyer

0 9819131388

PS : Donations in cash/kind may be sent directly to the Foundation for organising the event.

send a card, serve a child

Outsource Greetings - Send a card through IDF

Dear Friends :

Greetings and good wishes from IDF !

Hope you have seen our email with regard to IDF Greeting Cards. Send a card, Serve a child. Click the link given below and you will get all the details.

http://indiandevelopmentfoundation.blogspot.com/2007/12/send-card-serve-child.html

Time is very short and we can help you reach your near and dear ones directly. Just send your friends and contacts addresses to us, we will send your Greeting Cards instantly.

Price Details

For people in India - Rs.15/- per card including postage. Minimum order 50 cards. More is always welcome.

For people outside India - $1 per card including postage in India - Minimum 25 cards. More is always welcome.

Save time and start placing your orders. You send your friends addresses and the rest will be taken care.

Email Details

Please send Complete Address of your friends at idfmumbai@gmail.com OR idfark@gmail.com


Remittance details -

For people in India - Cheque/ Drafts/ MOs in favour of Indian Development Foundation and send it to IDF, L 10/3 & 4 Jal Ratan Deep, Bangur Nagar, Goregaon (West), Mumbai 400 104.

For people outside India - (click the link) http://idf.org.in/800%20X%20600/IDF%20HP/Donations/FOREIGN%20DONATIONS.htm

You can also place orders for packets which will be sent to you directly. The option is yours.

EVERY CARD THAT YOU PLACE THE ORDER, WILL HELP THE POOR AND THE UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN.

WHY POSTPONE GOODNESS IN LIFE ? WHAT IS POSSIBLE TODAY MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE LATER. ACT NOW and FEEL THE DIFFERENCE.

With all good wishes and waiting for your favourable response,

IDF Publications Division

Send a card, Serve a child

Dear Friends :

Season's Greetings to you all !

Festive season is around the corner and we are certainly happy to celebrate it with great joy.

While we celebrate the festive season, let's remember the poor and the deprived sections of our society who do not have adequate access for enjoying the festivities. There are several children under IDF care who need your care and attention for their health and education. It is our tradition to share what we have with the underprivileged in the society, isn't it ? Why not share your mite for some noble cause now. Here is a way to participate and share the joy of happiness.

In this e-world, Greeting people through sms, emails etc. have become a fashion. BE DIFFERENT, MAKE AN IMPACT. Greet your near and dear ones with an IDF Greeting Card. Send an IDF Card today and feel the difference.

IDF has brought out 4 special designs of Greeting Cards. These cards are specially designed by the underprivileged of the Creative Centre for Arts run by the National Society for Clean Cities - India.

Feel free to see the specimen of Greeting Cards attached with this mail. You will be surprised to see the beautiful paintings made by the underprivileged children. (Size of the card 5X7 inches folded) (Fine Quality Printing - 300 gms Art Card)

We have made it easier for the friends to buy cards - since the cards are in a packet. A single pack contains 12 Cards - 3 cards each of 4 designs and 12 envelopes too. Each card costs Rs.10/=, thus the packet price comes to Rs.120/=. IDF gives a special offer during this festive season by making it available for JUST Rs.100/=. Grab this offer and help the poor and the needy. This is the golden opportunity to serve people at large.

Courier charges as per actuals will be charged extra

By buying IDF Cards you will help in making the future of India. The underprivileged children need your care and concern. Send IDF cards and empower their lives.

Orders may be placed with Indian Development Foundation, L-10/3&4 Jal Ratan Deep, Bangur Nagar, Goregaon (W), Mumbai 400 104 OR email idfmumbai@gmail.com / idfark@gmail.com

With all good wishes,

IDF Publications Division

IDF Social Ambassadors

Become an IDF Social Ambassador

An ideal way to fulfillment !

IDF invite you to become an Ambassador in your area and promote the social work for humanitarian benefit.

For details contact IDF @ idfmumbai@gmail.com OR idfark@gmail.com

Meet our Social Ambassadors

1. Mr. Karthick S., Mumbai (karthiks82@yahoo.com)
2. Mr. Abraham Samuel, Bahrain (abrahamsamuel2352@hotmail.com)
3. Mr. T. N. Anil, Botswana, Africa (tnanil@gmail.com)
4. Mr. Simon Sherpa, Nepal (simon@simon.com.np)
5. Mr. Ketan Shah, Mumbai (ketan_binny@yahoo.com)
6. Mr. Ashish Taskar, Mumbai (ashish_t@iitb.ac.in)
7. Mr. Nigil Rajan, Mumbai (nigil.rajan@gmail.com)
8. Mr. Anand G. Swamy, Mumbai (anand3gs@hotmail.com)
9. Mr. Hariharan Balasubramanian Mettupatti, Chennai (hariharan.bm@gmail.com)
10. Master Karan Dravid, Bangalore (karandravid@gmail.com)
11. Master Nivedhan Suresh, Chidambaram (nivedhan94@yahoo.co.in)
12. Master C. Kailash, Puducherry (kailshujck@yahoo.co.in)
13. Mr. C. R. Gonsalves, Bellary, Karnataka (9448189999)
14. Mrs. Neeta Kirit Sanghvi, Mumbai (9224379035)
15. Mr. Biju Vikraman, Sydney, Australia (bijuvikraman@hotmail.com)
16. Mr. Avinash Patra, Mumbai (avinash.patra@morganstanley.com)

We will be updating the details shortly.

IDF PR Division
http://www.idf.org.in/

Archbishop hails IDF work

On the eve of World AIDS Day, Dr. Narayan B. Iyer, National Co-ordinator, IDF called on His Grace Rev. Vincent Concessao, Archbishop of Delhi at Archbishop's House (30-11-07).

Dr. Narayan apprised the Archbishop on the activities of IDF in national level.

The Archbishop congratulated IDF and all its team-members for the wonderful work being carried out in humanitarian interest. When asked for a message on World AIDS Day, the Archbishop stressed on building moral values and spreading the message of love and faith among the youth. This is the need of the hour and we can only fight against the dreaded disease called AIDS, when we spread the message of love, faith and joy, the Archbishop commented.

Dr. Narayan presented IDF publications to the Archbishop who later conveyed his blessings and good wishes.




IDF PR Division


http://www.idf.org.in/

IDF News @ Mangalorean.com

A noted website serving the Mangaloreans around the world, hosted from Chicago, has always been highlighting IDF work in national interest. The recently organised World AIDS Day 2007 on 1st Dec. 07 has been highlighted in their portal in public interest.

IDF thank Mr. Roshan Desouza, Founder & Creator and Mrs. Queenie Mendonca, Managing Editor of the Mangalorean.com website for their kind and continued support.

The bloggers may click to the link given below and see the report for yourself.

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=59813

IDF PR Division
http://www.idf.org.in/

Related IDF News in Mangalorean.com :

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=52027

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=49374

http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=46757

http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=39395

http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=38755

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=37667

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=36475

World AIDS Day 2007

Indian Development Foundation and Vivek Education Society organized a World AIDS Campaign on December 1, 2007 which happened to be the World AIDS Day at Goregaon West, North Mumbai .

300 Students from class XI onwards formed the major audience who received the vital information on HIV/AIDS.

Though the numbers of HIV cases are coming down in India , still we need to have concern for those affected with this dreaded disease and die out of it. We can STOP HIV/ AIDS only through proper awareness and education. World AIDS Day gives us an opportunity to take part in the massive campaign and spread the message, said Rev. Sr. Bertilla Capra.

Rev. Sr. Bertilla Capra, Director of Vimala Dermatological Centre and Chief Guest for the programme stressed on faith, love and joy. Youth in this country should know the importance of life and help to build a healthy society, stressed Sr. Bertilla.

Dr. A. R. K. Pillai, President of IDF spoke on scientific information on HIV/AIDS while Mr. Suresh Nair , Principal, Vivek Vidyalaya & Junior College stressed on the statistical details and the rising problem in India. Prof. P. Thangadurai, NSS Co-ordinator, Vivek College of Commerce exhorted the students to come forward and fight against the dreaded disease.

Students who spoke on the occasion were Meenakshi Ganeshan, Shaila Sunder, Akshata Khanolkar , Nikita Mhapsekar and Asif. Every student stressed on massive dissemination of information, education and communication on the subject to stop the spread of the disease. Community participation and love for the children affected with HIV were also some of the points the students touched upon.

A group of 40 students from Podar International School (IB) led by Mrs. Sarala Gavane, CAS Co-ordinator also took active part in the campaign.

Bedrock hall was fully decorated with messages and vital information on HIV/AIDS. Colourful banners, posters, charts and newsclippings gave more impetus to campaign.

Red Ribbons were distributed to all the participating students while pamphlets on HIV/AIDS were exchanged for more knowledge. Students and dignitaries joined in lighting candle to mark the World AIDS Day and pledging to fight against the disease.

Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise was the slogan raised by the students as they lighted the candles.

Koffee with Karan - Part 2

Read more about IDF's youngest Social Ambassador - Karan Dravid. The Times of India, Bangalore edition of 25th November 2007 has given a wide coverage.

8-yr-old helps tribal kids learn English

BANGALORE: "Uncle, if you've an old working computer, give it to me. I'll pass it on to the poor tribal children so that they can learn English." That's eight-year-old Karan Dravid speaking on his own, no cues, no prompts.

Unlike the children of his age who kid around with toys, Karan dons a thinking cap: "All children should know English. They shouldn't be begging or working in hotels, but should go to school." He enjoys mingling with tribal kids in BR Hills, teaching them English every weekend and during vacations.

Mumbai-based NGO, Indian Development Foundation, has roped in Karan as young ambassador to promote rural empowerment initiatives. He's a whizkid — knows six languages, including French, memorises shlokas and has an enviable language-learning skill. At the same time, the child in him is very much active: he plays and dances with peers at his school, Kendriya Vidyalaya, MEG Centre, and watches latest movies.

"We haven't taught him much, but only answered his queries," says his father Sai Prem Kumar, an engineer. "We found that Karan, at three, was inquisitive and had good memory. An answer to his query would be etched in his mind and he'd interpret in his own way."

"Once he wanted to know why some children didn't know English. I told him they were poor and hence couldn't go to school. Since then, he has taken it upon himself to do something for the poor," Kumar recalls. Without parents' knowledge, Kiran met his principal, talked his friends into mobilising a load of shoes and clothes for the children at BR Hills Empowerment School. "He had ensured his friends don't give too old or torn clothes," said Karan's mother Kalpana, who works in the excise department.

Does Kiran want to become a cricketer, a la his namesake? The boy shoots it down. "Want to be famous?" A big "no", again. "What do you want to become then?" Pat came the reply: "An IAS officer so that I can help the poor and make their children go to school."

Karan is also interacting with reputed schools to get the students work for the poor. His priority: "Want to request all uncles in big posts to give me old computers." Flawlessly reciting the Song of Youth , Karan says: "I know APJ Abdul Kalam's full name. I'd like to meet him. Do you have his email ID, uncle?"


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-2568384,prtpage-1.cms


Also read :
http://indiandevelopmentfoundation.blogspot.com/2007/11/koffee-with-karan.html

BLIND POPULATION IN THE COUNTRY

As per the World Health Organization estimates, out of total 37 million blind persons (Visual Acuity <3/60) in the world, 6.7 million are in India, which is one-fifth of the total global blind population.

As per the Eye Bank Association of India, Hyderabad, there are 500 Eye Banks/ Eye Donation Centres in the country including 148 in Maharashtra. Around 30,000 donated eyes are collected annually in the country.

There are about 6000 Optometrists in India and about 1200 pass out every year. More Optometrists are needed to fulfill patients’ requirements for eye care in the country as the Ophthalmologists – para medical personnel ratio should be 1:4.

As per the survey conducted during 2006-07, the prevalence of Blindness in the country has come down to 1% as compared to 1.1% during the year 2001-02.

The National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) is committed to reduce the burden of avoidable blindness to 0.3% by the year 2020.

The following steps have been taken under NPCB to achieve the targets and for effective implementation of the programme:-

1. Setting up of State Blindness Control Societies and District Blindness Control Societies in States/UTs.

2. Providing Eye care facilities to the needy people at Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels through Primary Health Centres, District Hospitals, Medical Colleges and Regional Institutes of Ophthalmology.

3. Strengthening of Eye Banks in Government/Voluntary Sector.

4. Financial support to NGOs for strengthening their existing infrastructure for Eye care and providing recurring grant for Cataract surgery, School Eye Screening and Eye Donation.

5. Organizing Eye Donation Fortnight from 25th August to 8th September every year to promote eye donation.

6. Screening of School Children for detection of refractive errors and providing free spectacles to poor children.

7. Strengthening of Regional Institutes of Ophthalmology/eye departments of Medical Colleges by providing assistance for development of paediatric eye units/low vision units/retina units and training infrastructure.

8. Imparting training to Ophthalmic Surgeons from Government Hospitals/Medical Colleges for quality eye care.

9. Intensification of IEC activities to create awareness about eye care activities.

This information was given by the Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss in a reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=33042