Chairman of WHEELS India Nishwarth Foundation's owned Amneal Pharmaceuticals Donates 3.4 Millions of Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate Tablets

WHEELS Foundation is proud to report that the Chairman of WHEELS India Nishwarth Foundation - Chirag Patel through his company Amneal Pharmaceuticals has donated 3.4 millions of HCQ pills to various states in the US for possible treatment of Covid-19. He has also donated several million dollars to our non-profit WHEELS India Niswarth (WIN)Foundation that supports innovative projects in Water and Sanitation and Maternal and Child Health.
WIN has donated over $200,000 to IIT Bombay’s researchers in Chemistry Department and CTARA.

Amneal Pharmaceuticals, founded by Indian American entrepreneurs Chirag and Chintu Patel, said it is donating 400,000 hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets to the state of Louisiana to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. It already has donated millions of the tablets to New York and Texas.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, working with state Senate Health and Welfare chairman Fred Mills, announced the major donation by New Jersey-based Amneal Pharmaceuticals of the hydroxychloroquine tablets, which have been identified as a possible treatment for COVID-19 Coronavirus. The donation will go toward clinical trials and patient treatment in Louisiana, said an Amneal Pharmaceuticals press release.

"On behalf of Louisiana, I want to thank Amneal for this generous donation," said Landry. "It is important we all work together to help solve the COVID-19 Coronavirus crisis. We must come together as Louisianans and as Americans. This donation from Amneal demonstrates their strong effort to be a good corporate citizen in our nation."

He added: "I wish to remind everyone of the importance of social distancing guidelines issued by the president and state officials…Amneal's donation is one step toward trying to find treatments and cures for this epidemic. Right now, there are no silver bullets. We must remain vigilant against the spread of this virus."

Chirag and Chintu Patel, co-chief executive officers of Amneal, said, "All of us at Amneal are committed to supporting our communities in the global fight against COVID-19. We are working with urgency to assist the hardest hit states and hospitals around the country to benefit as many patients as possible during this critical time."

The Louisiana State University School of Medicine is working to launch two different clinical trials using hydroxychloroquine in relation to COVID-19. One trial will utilize hydroxychloroquine on those who have significant COVID-19 disease. The other trial protocol will use and test the drug as a preventative measure for those healthcare workers on the front lines battling the epidemic. Trials will be conducted at the University Medical Center in New Orleans and at the LSU Medical School locations in Baton Rouge and Lafayette.

"I sincerely appreciate the efforts of Attorney General Jeff Landry and Senator Fred Mills working with Amneal to bring this donation to the citizens of Louisiana," said Dr. Steve Nelson, dean of LSUHSC School of Medicine. "This donation will allow us to conduct clinical trials examining how hydroxychloroquine may help clear the virus from the lungs of infected patients and to potentially help shield healthcare workers who are on the front lines treating patients."

The National Institutes of Health is tracking other similar clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19. The University of Minnesota is undertaking a trial as well as Columbia University.

Having donated millions of hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets in total to states other than Louisiana, including New York and Texas, Amneal stated it will provide more as needed. The company also announced donations of products directly to hospitals across the country, according to the press release.

Hydroxychloroquine sulfate was first synthesized in 1946 and is in a class of medications historically used to treat and prevent malaria. Today, Amneal's hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to treat malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, childhood arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases. Hydroxychloroquine is not FDA-approved for the treatment of COVID-19; but it has been identified as a possible treatment for COVID-19, and the U.S. Government has requested its immediate availability, said the release.

The U.S. government's top infectious disease specialist Anthony Fauci has been vocal about his concern that there is not enough evidence to suggest that hydroxychloroquine is the drug that cures COVID-19.

In related news, India said it will be supplying hydroxychloroquine to some nations that have been particularly badly affected by the pandemic, such as the U.S.

Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc., headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey, is a pharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing, and distribution of generic and specialty drug products.

If you like, you can also support COVID-19 hit families and relief efforts at : www.wheelsglobal.org/COVID

Press Release Links :

1. Business Standard: https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/covid-19-indian-american-owned-pharma-donates-3-4-mn-hcq-sulphate-tablets-120040800363_1.html
2. Video link of Announcement by state Governor : https://www.kark.com/news/health/coronavirus/watch-live-at-10-a-m-lt-governor-uams-chancellor-to-discuss-coronavirus-pandemic/
3. Times Of India: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/indian-americans-us-pharma-firm-donates-3-4-million-hydroxychloroquine-sulphate-tablets/articleshow/75039058.cms
4. FirstPost: https://www.firstpost.com/health/coronavirus-outbreak-indian-american-owned-amneal-pharmaceuticals-donates-3-4-mn-hydroxychloroquine-sulphate-tablets-to-new-york-louisiana-8239561.html
5. India West: https://www.indiawest.com/news/global_indian/indian-american-founded-amneal-pharmaceuticals-donates-millions-of-hydroxychloroquine-sulfate-tablets-to-u-s-states/article_d194b668-7915-11ea-92d4-0b53a3f71186.html
6. Yahoo Finance: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/state-texas-senator-bryan-hughes-203000297.html
7. Fox61 : https://www.fox61.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/connecticut-receives-donation-of-hydroxychloroquine-for-covid-19-treatment/520-f3ffc0c7-5588-4981-b8f8-febf988beb85
8. Know more about WIN foundation at www.winfoundations.org
9. WHEELS and WIN related news:  http://www.wheelsglobal.org/wheels_raises_2_4_million_at_new_york_gala

You can also make difference in lives of Covid-19 hit families, your generous contribution will make a positive impact to the lives of needy. We appreciate everything you do for helping humanity. 

TiE Partners with WHEELS on Smart Village Developement Project

Mr. Hiten Ghosh, Founder and President Emeritus WHEELS Global Foundation was invited as Special Guest of Honor in TiECon 2020 in Kolkata. Thanks to the efforts of Indrajit Chatterjee, Director of WHEELS Charitable Foundation and IIT-Kgp Alumni for a new potential Joint relationship with TiE organization on Rural Entrepreneurship program. Keynote speaker of the event was Mr. Siddhanti who has climbed Mount Everest and other tallest peaks in several continent and has personal story to inspire our potential Rural entrepreneurs under personal development:

Mr. Siddhanti quoted - “Things often appear impossible until somebody does it”  “ If you fall down,it is not failure but if you do not get up, it is”

He has agreed to be our mentor for WHEELS rural Entrepreneurs. 

WHEELS Partners with IEEE on Smart Village Program and TEMSCON

"WHEELS is proud to partner with IEEE and their various initiatives which include the Smart Village Program and TEMSCON (Technology Engineering Management Society Conference). It is on the lines of WHEELS' work agenda of "Technology Enabled Philanthropy". WGF was invited to participate at TEMSCON 2019 in Atlanta this summer where the presentation by Suresh Shenoy, President WGF, was well received by over 250+ participants. The presentation touched upon how technologies in the fourth industrial revolution can achieve scale to benefit rural development and address challenges surrounding better farming, access to clean potable water, better healthcare, clean energy etc. Mr Shenoy was later interviewed by Rabiz Foda of TEMSCON for their Youtube channel."
YouTube Link for Interview:

https://youtu.be/do1FVgX-hnE

Another Village (Chhipadi- Kheda) got Clean Drinking Water Plant by WHEELS

WHEELS Global Foundation has installed another Clean Drinking Water Plant(CDWP) in the village Chhipadi- Kheda district of Gujarat(India). Plant was handed over to the Village today (30 Nov 2017). Ritesh Barot of KP Water just shared the pictures of this new water plant. WHEELS President Suresh Shenoy and Water Track Director Ron Mehta had also visited this site and met villagers this year in October when the work was in progress.

WHEELS has already installed 13 CDWP and 2 more plants are ready for installation at an appropriate site related to two SEVAK (WHEELS' health care Project) villages in Gujarat. As well as 6 more CDWP to be planned from the $50,000 kind donation pledged by Nishwarth Foundation at the last WHEELS Gala in New York.

WHEELS take this opportunity to thank Dr Thakor Patel, Viren Patel and their dedicated group of SEVAKS all across Gujarat for collaborating with WHEELS and making these projects a reality. Last but not the least we also thank Ritesh Barot, the Managing Director and Founder of KP Water - our RO plant supplier in Kathwada, Ahmedabad for smooth, efficient and seamless delivery of the units in time. "Teamwork is what makes these projects so successful " quoted WHEELS Water Track Director Ron Mehta. Now more people will have access to clean drinking water and will be free from many health issues due to contaminated water. 

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WHEELS Global Foundation, USA and WHEELS Charitable Foundation, India in Association with IIT
Bombay Launch an Interactive Multi-Media App, Assisting New Mothers with Breastfeeding

The Maa-Shishu Aarogya App Fulfills WHEELS Global Foundation’s Motto: "Technology Enabled Philanthropy"

Reston, VA – March 29, 2018 – WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF) and WHEELS Charitable Foundation India, in partnership with Spoken Tutorial Project, IIT Bombay and Sunrise Computer Software Pvt. Ltd launched an App in India on January 30, 2018. This app will assist mothers, (ASHA)s, ANMs and Anganwadi workers with breastfeeding, complementary feeding and maternal nutrition to tackle malnutrition at the grass root level of India.

By empowering people with knowledge about correct breastfeeding techniques and complementary feeding along with maternal nutrition for the first 1,000 days of the baby, the app aims to reduce infant mortality in India and other parts of the world. Considering the importance of health awareness among the people, WGF in association with IIT Bombay under the leadership of Prof. Kannan Moudglaya (dept. of Chemical engineering, IIT Bombay and Principal investigator of Spoken Tutorial Project, IIT Bombay) has created multimedia content on breastfeeding, complementary foods & pregnant & lactating mothers nutrition in English, Hindi, Tamil, Marathi and Gujarati. “Exclusive breastfeeding is the first cut solution to malnutrition in India, with the consequential benefit of increasing the GDP by several percentage points,” says Prof. Moudgalya. According to a study by U.S. based media agency Zenith-India is estimated to have 530 million smartphone users in 2018. The creation of the app (and its usage through smartphones) helps fulfill WGF’s motto: “Technology Enabled Philanthropy.” WGF believes that technology can be the catalyst to alleviate some of the challenges faced in rural regions, PAN India.

The app’s original content was developed by Dr. Rupal Dalal, an internationally recognized authority on child nutrition and development. The Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultant has monitored more than 10,000 children under 5 years of age and has set up the FMCH & SMDT Community Nutrition Intervention Model in Maharashtra, India.  

The COO of WHEELS Charitable Foundation (WCF) Mr. Satyajit Kulkarni says, the app will show mothers Spoken Tutorials for correct latching and breastfeeding techniques, complementary feeding, guidelines for maternal nutrition, breastfeeding conditions & difficulties, reading growth charts and other such important topics.”

This multimedia content developed by IIT alumnus Mr. Uday M. Mehta of Sunrise Computer Software Pvt. Ltd is integrated on “Maa-Shishu Aarogya” Interactive Mobile App, an integral part of an experiential learning platform called ‘Maharishi Augmented Reality System – MARS’. This app can be downloaded on android mobile devices. Internet connectivity is required for installation and data update.

This app ‘MARS.MSA’ can be downloaded from Google play store along with an instructional video and is for use in India only. Click here to watch a brief tutorial video.

About : WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF): Founded by the alumni of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF) is an independent 501c3, a non-profit organization that is a pioneer in applying technology to provide solutions to issues related with water, health, energy, education, livelihood, and sustainability. The organization partners with other national and international NGO’s and non-profit organizations, working in collaboration to aid a larger rural population globally. Visit: www.WHEELSGlobalFoundation.org                              

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WHEELS HealthCare Project 'SEVAK' To Expand Beyond Gujarat

Vadodara , Dec 18, 2017: Sevak project led by US-based Thakor Patel is now moving beyond the boundaries of Gujarat. Kenya-born Patel, who had retired as captain from medical corps of United States Navy in 1998, had laid foundation of Sevak project in Gujarat in 2010 through which 31 people were trained in healthcare, sanitation, water purification, prevention of diseases and lifestyle modification education.

Now, the project will be extended to villages in Tamil Nadu and Odisha on the request made by US-based Wheels Global Foundation formed by alumni of IITs.

"After receiving the request, we have invited eight volunteers from Tamil Nadu and four from Odisha who will undergo training in Vadodara till December 24. This refreshers training will provide them basic life support skills and also they will learn about triage to decide order of treatment in case of medical emergencies for treatment of patients," said Patel, who was the leader of a surgical support team during United States' invasion of Grenada in 1983 and had served as director of medical services of a fleet hospital in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield in 1990s.

While the training will be provided by Lifeline Foundation led by Padma Sri awardee Dr Subroto Das, five speakers from US will guide the participants on cancer screening in women, lifestyle modification, how to save life of children below the age of five and first 1,000 days in a child's life. Dr Ranjita Misra, who is co-chairman of Sevak Foundation, has received grant from US to implement the project in Odisha.

While the project has now been extended to 60 villages in Gujarat, RO plants have been set up in five villages in the state including Agiya in Sabarkantha district, Chandragadh in Morbi district, Mota Kalavad in Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jalat in Dahod district and Chhipdi in Kheda district.

At Chandragadh, of the total population of 1,000, 250 persons including children and senior citizens are facing kidney stone problems.
"We are planning to set up ten more RO plants in Gujarat. IIT Bombay alumni Ruyingtan Mehta, a philanthropist based in New Jersey has agreed to help us set up these plants. Also, US-based NRIs Chirag Patel and Chintu Patel, who run Amneal Pharmaceuticals will be funding the ten new RO plants," said Patel.



This article is also published in 'Times Of India' : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/us-navy-ex-captains-project-to-move-beyond-gujarat/articleshow/62110592.cms

Click here to Purchase Gala Tickets and Sponshorship

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WHEELS India Niswarth (WIN) Foundation Hosts Inauguration Following
$2 Million Donation from the Niswarth International Foundation

WIN to Fund Research and Innovation for Water Quality and Sanitation and Maternal and Child Health issues

Reston, VA – January 25, 2018 – On Tuesday, January 30^th, local and international dignitaries, will come together to inaugurate a newly formed 501(c)3: the WHEELS India Niswarth (WIN) Foundation (www.winfoundations.org) . The event is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. with a tour of the facility, followed by a panel discussion on Maternal & Child Health and Water & Sanitation issues at the Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar. The main event is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. at the WIN Foundation’s main office located at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) Research Park.

The Foundation’s activities will focus on two tracks: Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and will be housed at the campuses of IIT Gandhinagar (IITGN) and the Indian Institute of Public Health – Gandhinagar (IIPHG) respectively. The WATSAN program will focus on developing new, cost-effective ways to treat water, reduce water contamination in rivers, and work to improve policies related to drinking water. The WATSAN program will work towards finding the most cost-effective method to bring clean drinking water to rural communities and will work with international governing bodies to form public-private partnerships. It will also champion and develop water purification devices which will bring clean drinking water to rural communities by using technologies such as slow sand filters. Finally, the WATSAN program will research ways to reduce the costs for delivering potable water, applying technologies such as; reverse osmosis and desalination.

A generous donation of $2 million was made by the Niswarth International Foundation, a charitable vehicle for Mr. Chirag Patel, co-CEO and chairman, Amneal Pharmaceuticals and his family, to find new ways to improve water quality and health outcomes for mothers and children. At the announcement of the donation, Mr. Patel said, “Our vision is that the WIN Foundation will serve as an India based incubator for technology-based ideas that can be tested and put into action to improve the daily lives of people living in underdeveloped areas around the world.”           

The MCH program will house a research lab which will focus on priorities such as prevention, diagnoses, using data analytics and the use of women’s self-help groups to deliver messages.  The program will support a field testing site to analyze public health interventions in a community setting. Additionally, the MCH program will serve as a hub to link together resources for improving health outcomes for women and children and serve as an evidence-based testing facility to advise policy makers.

After official remarks, Chairman of WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF) Rajat Gupta will moderate a panel discussion featuring Dr. Thakor Patel from The Sevak Foundation, Mr. Ruyintan (Ron) Mehta, the Co-Director for the “water” track of WGF, and Dr. Kranti Vora, the newly appointed Director for Maternal and Child Health (MCH) at the WIN Foundation. The panel will also be joined by the Director of IIPHG, Dr. Dileep Mavalankar.

The formal inauguration will be held at IIT Gandhinagar starting with high tea and concluding with an address by Mr. Chirag Patel on his commitment to give back to India and the goals for the WIN Foundation.

About WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF): Founded by the alumni of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF) is an independent 501c3, a non-profit organization that is a pioneer in applying technology to provide solutions to issues related with water, health, energy, education, livelihood, and sustainability. The organization partners with other national and international NGO’s and non-profit organizations, working in collaboration to aid a larger rural population globally. Visit: www.WHEELSGlobal.org

About Niswarth International Foundation: Niswarth International Foundation is a 501c3, non-profit organization that focuses on providing solutions to issues related with maternal and child health, water and sanitation, education, and general hygiene in India, with the intention to expand in underprivileged countries globally. The foundation also provides education to women on the importance of nutrition during pregnancy, including early childhood development; from newborn to age five. Visit: www.NiswarthFoundation.org
www.winfoundations.org
                             

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TECHNOLOGY ENABLED PHILANTHROPY

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#Give18in18 Campaign Excites New Generation of Volunteers and Donors

WHEELS Global Foundation Fundraiser to Support Efforts in Developing Countries

Reston, VA – April 18, 2018 – Today, the WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF) launched the “#Give18in18” campaign globally to inspire young adults to get involved with charitable causes as volunteers and donors. The social media-focused campaign encourages millennials to share why they prioritize donating their time and funds. They are also asked to challenge their friends to share similar stories in a less than one-minute video. The campaign will stay active until May 11, 2018 and is accepting video submissions via emails, text messages, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

The campaign is targeting millennials to broaden their knowledge of “how to” donate or be a volunteer to make an impact in their communities. Millennials tend to be more charitable than their elders; according to a study by Blackbaud, 84% of millennials give to charitable organizations as opposed to 72% of baby boomers. While boomers contribute more in total dollar amounts, millennials volunteer at higher rates.

WGF has strategically worked to get youth involved in its day to day operations, as they are the future of philanthropy. WGF created two positions for Youth Chairs which were awarded to Neil Davey and Vriti Khurana, both of whom excel at creating change in rural and underprivileged communities. Neil Davey is a Harvard student who has found a way to detect cancer and malaria with just a drop of blood through a microfluidic device. His technology is less expensive and less invasive than traditional screening methods allowing better disease detection in remote villages. “Volunteering with a foundation like WHEELS Global Foundation has helped me to truly make a difference in the lives of people who need it the most. When choosing an NGO, a nonprofit to donate to, it is important that the foundation’s mission aligns with your goals of giving back; let it be your time or funds,” says Davey.

#Give181in18 will excite a new generation of donors to become involved in philanthropy. By highlighting the efforts of these two individuals, donors will understand that even their small $18 donations will make a big difference.Vriti Khurana conceptualized The Kanya Project, which is designed to keep girls in school by providing them with sanitary napkins. Khurana said, “Creating time to volunteer and give back is important to me. As a millennial myself, focused on school and the many priorities that come with it, it is easy to forget how my contribution of time and funds change lives for many villagers lacking basic resources.” The project also provides livelihood to women in the community as they develop and distribute the 100% compostable menstrual hygiene products.

WGF will use social media to raise awareness of the campaign. Donors are encouraged to give $18 during the campaign with the opportunity to sign up as a WGF volunteer to get involved with future projects. Interested donors will be directed to a donation webpage accessible from all mobile devices. Donors can earmark their contributions to one of the six focus areas of WGF (water, health, education, energy, livelihood, sustainability), or to the Foundation in general.

As a result of the generous donations WGF received last year, 70,000 Indians living in rural communities received access to clean drinking water. Funds raised in 2018 will go toward the creation of ten additional CDWP’s, providing 55,000 more individuals with access to clean drinking water. Spoken Tutorial, a digital learning tool developed by WGF’s member of the board and track Director for Education has provided IT literacy to 4.2 million people to date. Additionally, an app was just released in India to assist new mothers with proper breastfeeding methods to reduce the infant mortality rate.

These programs recognize that young leaders are the future of technology and philanthropy. Through the #Give18in18 campaign, the foundation will highlight the significant efforts made by young adults who volunteer and donate their time and funds to charitable causes such as WHEELS Global Foundation.

About: WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF): Founded by the alumni of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF) is an independent 501c3, a non-profit organization that is a pioneer in applying technology to provide solutions to issues related with water, health, energy, education, livelihood, and sustainability. The organization partners with other national and international NGO’s and non-profit organizations, working in collaboration to aid a larger rural population globally. For more information, visit: www.WHEELSGlobalFoundation.org

Contact: Divya Gupta
[email protected]
11140 Rockville Pike, Suite 400
Rockville, MD 20852
Media Inquiries: 301.678.4888
                             

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TECHNOLOGY ENABLED PHILANTHROPY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHEELS Global Foundation Raises $2.4 Million at Annual Fundraising Gala

Funds will go towards improving conditions in rural communities

New York, NY – Nov. 7, 2017 – The WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF), held its annual fundraising gala at The Pierre, Taj NY located in Manhattan on Friday, November 3, 2017. More than 300 entrepreneurs, business leaders, scholars and dignitaries were in attendance. $2 million of the total $2.4 million was generously donated by the Niswarth International Foundation, a charitable vehicle for Chirag Patel, Co-CEO and Chairman, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, and his family. This donation will go towards the WHEELS India Niswarth (WIN) Foundation, a new 501c3 non-profit to be formed in the U.S. The WIN Foundation will be located at the IIT Gandhinagar (IITGN) and Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar (IIPHGN) campuses with the main office, and Water & Sanitation -WATSAN group located at the IITGN campus and the Maternal & Child Health group located at the nearby IIPHGN campus.

Many of the funds raised came from individual donors, raffle donations and live auction. The gala also featured a unique opportunity for a one-on-one dinner with Rajat Gupta, Chairman, WHEELS Global Foundation and Chirag Patel. Additionally, a House of Nobel Experience in Paris was auctioned off. This prize included a not-yet released champagne, founded by late Philip Nobel, a descendant of the Nobel Prize family. Champagne Philip Nobel is developed by 2017 Champagne Maker of the Year, Alfred Gretien. The prize also included the chance to be at the exclusive white tie party (Students’ Nobel NightCap) held annually in Stockholm, Sweden to celebrate the Nobel laureates.

The event honored Mr. Josh Weston, the former CEO of ADP, for his years of service as a community leader. He co-founded Safe Water Network, a non-profit that provides access to clean drinking water to thousands of people in India and Ghana. Mr. Hiten Ghosh, the President Emeritus of WGF was honored for his leadership as the first founding President and received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and service. Mr. Suresh Shenoy, executive vice president at Alyx Technologies was announced as the new President of the Foundation.

At the inaugural gala in 2016, $200,000 was raised. The funds raised last year helped alleviate many pressing challenges in rural communities. “ The increase in donations this year demonstrates that donors see the urgency of the issues faced and that WGF is a dedicated partner in alleviating issues faced by rural areas. We are deeply gratified by the generous donations of attendees, sponsors and raffle and auction prize donors,” said Suresh Shenoy, President, WGF.

With a vision to use “technology to enable philanthropy,” WGF provides funds to develop Clean Drinking Water Plants (CDWP) in remote villages to alleviate health issues related to poor-quality drinking water. The Kanya project, headed by Youth Chair, Vriti Khurana, works to alleviate the stigma surrounding menses to keep girls in school. A production facility staffed by women produces 100% compostable feminine hygiene products that will be donated to the girls in surrounding communities. This provides jobs for women in the community and teaches them entrepreneurship skills.

Through its Sevak Program, to date, 60 Sevak villages have delivered preventative healthcare monitoring and care to over 60,000 households. The foundation also partners with Pratham, India’s largest education NGO to promote girls’ education for young dropouts in India under their Second Chance Program. 384 laptops have been donated to the program, and Spoken Tutorials have trained 2.5 million people in IT literacy.

In addition to its programs, WGF funds research across the globe on health, sustainability and clean energy technologies. Neil Davey, WGF’s Youth Chair and grantee, developed the microfluidics technique in partnership with Harvard University and IIT Bombay Bioengineering and Bioscience department, that puts the medical community one step closer to being able to detect cancer and malaria cells from a drop of blood. Developments such as these must be nurtured, and we look forward to the advances that the coming year will bring resulting from the generous donations of our attendees. TV Asia was the media sponsor for this important event.

For more information, visit  www.WHEELSGlobalFoundation.org and www.NiswarthFoundation.org
Photo Credit: Generic Brand Human

ABOUT: WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF) is a non-profit organization that is a pioneer in applying technology to provide solutions to issues related with water, health, energy, education, livelihood, and sustainability. Founded as an independent 501c3, the organization partners with other national and international NGO’s and non-profit organizations, working in collaboration to aid a larger rural population globally.

Media Contact:  
Divya Gupta
[email protected]
11140 Rockville Pike, Suite 400
Rockville, MD 20852
Media Inquiries: 301.678.4888

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ron Mehta’s 1970 Pledge to Give Back to India Results in Nearly $1 Million
Over 25 Years in Total Philanthropic Contributions 

Most recent donation from IIT Bombay alumnus comes in advance of
WHEELS Global Foundation’s Annual Fundraising Gala 

New York, NY – October 5, 2017 – Ruyintan (Ron) Mehta, a known name in the IIT alumni community, recently made a generous contribution to the WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF). After receiving his degree in Chemical Engineering from IIT Bombay for roughly 10,000 rupees, or about $152 U.S. dollars, Mr. Mehta moved to the United States to continue his graduate studies. “If a country as poor as that can do so much, I pledged that when I could, I would do my darnedest to give back to IIT and society at large,” said Mr. Mehta. And, with nearly $1 million in total contributions, Mr. Mehta has made good on his word.           

Although he himself is not religious, he has always followed the Golden Rule of Zoroastrianism: “Good thoughts, good words, good deeds.” His earliest personal giving inspiration was his mother. Many middle-class families in India had servants at the time, and he watched as she treated theirs as family, even paying for him to attend middle and high school at night, at St. Xavier’s Ahmedabad, a prestigious all boys school. She also volunteered at a school entirely composed of blind girls. Occasionally, she would bring a group of them home over the weekends, where he marveled at her capacity to give back.

Like Mr. Mehta, the mission of WHEELS Global Foundation is to give back to India, the USA and to global rural communities. With a vision to use “technology to enable philanthropy,” WGF is a non-profit organization that is a pioneer in applying technology to provide solutions to issues related to their six tracks: water, health, education, energy, livelihood and sustainability. WGF was founded by the alumni of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT); one of the premier engineering and technical schools in the world.

In his role as a Board Member for WGF, Mr. Mehta along with Co-Director Madhu Reddy oversee the ‘water’ track. The primary goal of which is to provide rural villages in India with a source of clean drinking water. Much of India’s rural water source lacks sanitation and has unhealthy levels of fluoride, iron, arsenic and other toxic components. WGF provides funds to develop Clean Drinking Water Plants (CDWP) in remote villages. To date, WGF has installed ten plants in three states in India, with three others in development. In total, the foundation has served approximately 75,000 people with each plant serving between 6,000 to 8,000 people per village. WGF plans to install thirty additional plants, commissioned in various Sevak villages that currently do not have water treatment plants. The Sevak Program is a state-wide pilot in Gujarat with 35 Sevak villages, one in each district in Gujarat.

In addition to his support of WGF, Mr. Mehta says, “I am a firm believer in sustainability within the area of scholarships, so I’ve been donating to an organization called Foundation for Excellence. It’s a foundation that provides scholarships to needy students at IIT Bombay.” He also serves as a certified mentor for the Central Jersey SCORE chapter, where he provides counseling and mentoring to entrepreneurs and small businesses. He was instrumental in developing a student exchange program between his alma mater IIT Bombay and The Cooper Union, a prestigious engineering school in New York City. “There is remarkable success in young students learning a culture that is different than theirs. So, to provide a jump start to the partnership, I provide a $2,000 USD travel grant to each student in the exchange program.” He also serves as the current President of IIT Bombay Heritage Foundation and is former President of IIT Bombay Alumni Association of New York. He financially contributes to and sits on the Advisory Board of the Dakshana Foundation, which prepares the most economically needy youth in India to take the IIT joint entrance exam (JEE). Today, Mr. Mehta keeps a deep admiration for the country he has called home for 47 years, residing in New Jersey with his wife, two children and three grandchildren.

His donation comes in advance of the WGF annual benefit gala, to be held on Friday, November 3 at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel in Manhattan, NY. Although Mr. Mehta has been giving back to the community since the early 1990’s, his story is largely untold. This year, WGF will focus on highlighting the giving stories of some of our community’s unsung heroes. Additionally, the gala will honor Mr. Josh Weston, the former CEO of ADP, for his years of service as a community leader. He co-founded Safe Water Network, a non-profit that provides access to clean drinking water to thousands of people in India and Ghana. The funds raised will go towards launching additional Clean Drinking Water Plants (CDWP), provide quality education, health care and sustainable livelihoods for rural communities in India.

ABOUT WGF: WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF) is a non-profit organization that is a pioneer in applying technology to provide solutions to issues related with water, health, education, energy, livelihood, and sustainability. Founded as an independent 501c3, the organization partners with other national and international NGO’s and non-profit organizations, working in collaboration to aid a larger rural population globally. For more information, visit:  www.WHEELSGlobalFoundation.org

Media Contact: 
Divya Gupta
[email protected]
11140 Rockville Pike, Suite 400
Rockville, MD 20852
Media Inquiries: 301.678.4888

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Click here to Purchase Gala Tickets and Sponsorships

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Deepak Chopra, Rajat Gupta on Leadership &
Next Generation of PIO Potential at the 2^nd Annual IIT Bay Area Leadership Conference

Santa Clara, CA - June 16, 2017 – Deepak Chopra and Rajat Gupta will address the second annual IIT Bay Area Leadership Conference on June 17. The pioneers in the business community will discuss their paths to success, overcoming controversy and the leadership skills they needed to build careers in the United States. 

Internationally lauded author, entrepreneur and innovator in integrative medicine, Deepak Chopra has built a business empire that expands across the globe. His more than 80 books are considered required reading in the self-help genre and his passion introduced millions in the United States to alternative medicine.

Rajat Gupta, IIT Delhi alumnus, was the first foreign-born CEO to lead global powerhouse consultancy McKinsey & Co. Elected in 1994 and re-elected twice, Gupta brought a global perspective to a company who saw 60% of its revenues at the time coming from global markets. Gupta founded the Indian School of Business (ISB) and America India Foundation (AIF), and served as an advisor to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Additionally, Mr. Gupta sits on the board of PanIIT USA and is the current Chairman of the WHEELS Global Foundation, which will host the WHEELS For Humanity Awards Gala recognizing the strides made in clean water accessibility, health, education, energy, livelihood and sustainability on Nov. 3, 2017.

Born and educated in India, both men moved to the United States to expand their careers. Although there are similarities, both have vastly differing perspectives on leadership. Dr. Chopra believes that success comes not from hard work, but through self-awareness and an understanding of the laws of nature. Mr. Gupta argues that success comes from constantly finding ways to make a difference to your employer. His approach is focused and intentional. This dichotomy will make for a probing and fascinating discussion.

ABOUT WGF: WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF) is a non-profit organization that is a pioneer in applying technology to provide solutions to issues related with water, health, education, energy, livelihood, and sustainability. Founded as an independent 501c3, the organization partners with other national and international NGO’s and non-profit organizations, working in collaboration to aid a larger rural population globally. For more information, visit:  www.WHEELSGlobalFoundation.org

More details about the conference host can be found at http://iit-bayarea.org. 

Media Contact: [email protected] | (w) 1.888.529.1118 | (c) 714.914.7437

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHEELS Global Foundation Co-Sponsors the NObesity Revolutionary 2K Walk for VOAC Partnered with MOVE!, a national weight management program designed by Veteran Affairs

Bethesda, Maryland, May 18, 2017 – W.H.E.E.L.S. (Water, Health, Education, Energy, Livelihood, Sustainability) Global Foundation is an event sponsor for the Veteran Obesity Awareness Campaign’s (VOAC) NObesity Revolutionary 2K Walk. NObesity Revolution, a pilot program hosted by VOAC, is a campaign to raise obesity awareness and to promote healthy life choices for Veterans and the community. The event is scheduled from 8 AM- 1PM on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at VFW, Post 577, 1109 E 6th  St in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The NObesity Revolutionary 2K Walk’s proceeds will benefit Veterans Foreign Affairs Post 577 and the MOVE! Program at the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System. For more information, visit: https://eventium.io/events/807294872768190/nobesity-revolution-2k-walk

 VOAC is a movement that highlights the issue of veteran obesity. As stated by ThinkProgress.org, the

U.S. veteran obesity rate peaked to 80 percent in 2015. MOVE! is a weight management health promotion program designed to improve the lives of veterans. Dr. Uma Koduri, Tulsa’s Ernest Children’s Outpatient Clinic’s MOVE! physician, is an advocate for weight management and healthy living. NObesity Revolution, a term coined by Dr. Koduri, encourages the walkers to wear yellow to demonstrate their coalition to the movement. Yellow represents energy, motivation, hope, optimism, joy and happiness. “I believe that there are many reasons why people choose unhealthy lifestyles. At times the circumstances do not allow them to take care of their health,” says Dr. Uma Koduri. She adds, “September should be considered as National Obesity Month, not just Childhood Obesity Month as both are epidemics.” As founder of Walk World Walkathon Organization, Dr. Koduri also collaborates with others to organize Obesity Walks.

 With the help of WHEELS Global Foundation and other event sponsors, VOAC is optimistic to educate the community about how a few simple changes in the routine can bring positive results in a lifestyle. “Everybody knows about eating right and being active, but it’s not making those choices: It’s living the lifestyle,” stated Dr. Bruce Dart, Tulsa Health Department Director. Supporters are encouraged to help raise awareness for the initiative by committing to a generous donation of $25 a month. Click HERE to donate.

ABOUT: WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF) is a non-profit organization that is a pioneer in applying technology to provide solutions to issues related with water, health, energy, education, livelihood, and sustainability. Founded as an independent 501c3, the organization partners with other national and international NGO’s and non-profit organizations, working in collaboration to aid a larger rural population globally. www.WHEELSGlobalFoundation.org

 Media Contact: [email protected] | (w) 1.888.529.1118 | (c) 714.914.7437

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Unleashing the Forgotten Billion of India

A saying in Hindi goes, Pehle darshan dhari, phir gun vichari. We initially judge something by its appearance than by its quality. The boot space of our car, the rear of our house or the back of our teeth is usually accorded a second class status. I had accorded the same status to the “poor and poorly educated” billion people in India – the Forgotten Billion. It seems human nature to accord such status to anything that does not seem important or is out of sight or perceived as inferior – until some extraordinary experiences make us question some of our deep seated assumptions. They got rid of my blinkers. They made me “see” the world of Forgotten Billion.

 Fourteen months that I worked at National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in 2010-11 made a deep impact. It allowed me Bharat Darshan, to understand Bharat, the informal and traditional India. With hope in my heart I proceeded on a sabbatical in 2011 to explore the question - How can we unleash our Forgotten Billion? Answers have finally emerged. I am sharing my journey and the lessons it has taught.

NSSO 2011-12 data says that 89.2% of Indians did not receive vocational training, a desperate picture. But there is another piece of statistic which informs that 1.7% of Indians have learnt skills themselves. They are Ustads, individuals with extraordinary motivation to self-express, to seek their calling in life. They may be poorly educated and born in families with little resources but they looked beyond those hurdles. Actively sought teachers, if there were none around they learnt seeking any resource they could lay their hands on. They learnt less formally, more intuitively. In Mahabharat, Eklavya hoped Dronacharya would become his teacher but when it did not happen efforts grew manifold and he learnt by himself. Ustads belong to the clan of Ekalavyas. NSSO suggests that 1.7 in 100 people are Ustads, of the 400mn workforce in India there are more than 6 mn of them. I met a few hundred across India. 

 Niranjan, a 34 yr old ustad mechanic in Goa, remembers, “School was boring so after Class X I decided to pursue a diploma at a polytechnic. Though I learnt little there, I realised I wanted to become a mechanic. My father understood and gave me his old scooter. I took it apart and put it back and soon I taught myself to be a mechanic”, says Niranjan with a grin, echoing Einstein’s sentiment, play is the highest form of research.

 This conversation I was having alongside Niranjan’s teacher at school, Baby didi, in Kavale village of Goa. She recalls, “Niranjan had little interest in studies. I thought he was a dull student. But while pursuing the diploma he approached, asking me to teach him some Class IX and X Physics, later also asking if I could help him get some books. His sudden interest puzzled me!”

 In Class XI Niranjan failed in all subjects in the first term. Not only had he failed but also reached his point of gnawing dissatisfaction. Enough is enough, and he set about to self-express and discover himself. Once he realised his passion floodgates opened and was soon seeking lessons from teachers, books and any learning source – also going back to didi for lessons which did not interest him earlier.

 “A significant fraction of children who drop out may be those who refuse to compromise with non-comprehension - they are potentially superior to those who just memorise and do well in examination, without comprehending very much!” says, Prof Yash Pal, a leading educationist.

 Could Niranjan teach interested youth to become a car mechanic? He had already trained many informally and on-the-job over the years. But could he do it “formally” turning his mechanic shed into a clean and safe training school? After some thought he replied, “Two batches a day with five students each I can train 10 students in three months - 40 in a year. They will not be mechanic after that but I guarantee they will make good helpers to mechanics earning more than Rs 8,000 per month right away.  In two years they will be good mechanics earning more than Rs 25,000.” But how educated should the youth be, I asked. “If the youth is interested and can put in hard work it is enough. If he does not pickup electrical work I will teach mechanical. If that too does not interest I will train to tinker and paint. They are all in high demand.”

 Such conversations I have regularly had with Ustads of different trades in my travels across the country. Ansari, the barber of Katwaria Sarai in Delhi, Sukant, the mobile technician in the small town of Pattamundai, Odisha, Chintu, the welder in Chilamakur village, Andhra Pradesh or Ramesh, the fitter in Bharuch, Gujarat. None were much educated but the finest in their trade and keen to teach others. Pitamber, a retired ustad plumber, did not study after class VII, asked if I would fund him to setup a plumbing school in his remote Nodhabasant village in Kendrapara Dist, Odisha. After more than 25 years in the trade he had retired and returned back to the village to tend to his small farm.

 “Yes, if you could mobilise 20 interested students”, I promised. Fifteen minutes later he had assembled 10 students, mostly poorly educated but also included a graduate. “It is mid-day and many have gone to work in the fields else I would have assembled twenty easily”, said Pitamber.  To the youth I asked, “Why would you be interested to learn in a village plumbing school run by Pitamber?” “If I learn plumbing from Pitamber my friends and relatives working as plumbers in the big cities will immediately call me for work”, was the unanimous response.

 After two months of running his boot-strapped school in a village room I brought a plumbing supervisor with a leading builder from Bhubaneshwar to assess the 14 students – 12 assessed at B and 1 each at A and C grades. “They are all ready to work as helpers to plumbers”, assured the assessor. After three weeks I had arranged them to be placed with a top construction company, but by then they had left for their new jobs.

 Reminds you of Ustad-Chela system? The big merit of Ustad-Chela system is its very low cost. The finest learning theory suggests that imparting of skills in an informal setting and right at the place of work is critical for good learning outcomes. These two robust ingredients are already present in the model. Its big disadvantage is the ad-hoc processes and inconsistent outcomes. The model also suffers a poor perception in the eyes of the industry as it is seen as chaotic and its presentation does not help.

 Pitamber’s school was a refurbished and its modern manifestation. I brought him an industry certified standard syllabus. He knocked off 50% of it as unnecessary and wanted me to get a lot of product catalogues of sanitary ware. “The pictures and diagrams in the catalogues help in easy understanding”, he said. He would not compromise on the tools and kits and got a complete set, only of the best brands. One day a plumber was visiting his village and dropped by the school. “I got my diploma at the State Institute of Plumbing Technology but the tools and materials you have here are very good. Students get to freely use them”. Another visiting plumber asked Pitamber, if he too could teach a few classes in his school – there is abundant visiting faculty.

 The trade estimates that 50%-75% of plumbers in India are “Odiya plumbers”. Little do they know that these plumbers mostly come from a small region in Kendrapara Dist, less than half the size of a district. I visited homes which had even five plumbers in their household and they said it was common in the region. Kendrapara region is crying for many such plumbing schools, atleast a fifty are needed. Many retired Pitambers are available in the villages across the region. Kendrapara, the Plumbing Capital of India in two years is not far-fetched.

 The adjoining district of Jagatsinghpur is known to send out a large number of cooks. Masons of Malda in West Bengal are considered the best, same with welders and fitters from Gorakhpur and North Bihar or riggers from Rajasthan or bar benders from the border districts of Jharkhand-Odisha. And the list goes on. While Tamil Nadu is not a big supplier of construction workers but the district of Thiruvannamalai seems to be catering to 25% of Tamil Nadu’s construction activity. There are no published figures or any research done on this beautiful phenomenon. But talking to many workers and supervisors in my travels this was pieced together. A Skills Map of India is waiting to be uncovered.

 Talk to plumbing experts and they will say 6 months full-time is the minimum duration to learn and the student better be high school pass. Plumbing is almost like an engineering profession, they argue.  Probe them and you realise they have little hands-on experience, their experience is mostly in managing the tradesmen, sometimes supervising. The narrative is similar across trades. “Welding takes a minimum of 6 months”, told me a highly respected industry expert. Yet such a “village skills school” in a Jajpur village run by Diganta in Odisha trained youth part-time in welding for a month and Thermax, the reputed engineering company, assessed them to be ready to work at their site. Their supervisor said, “On day 1, all these kids will be better than the bottom 25% of my team of 110 welders. Such is the desperation and shortage of skills.” I spoke to Steve Bleile and he endorsed the Ustad-view – “a motivated youth needs just one month to learn the fundamentals of welding”. Steve’s video tutorials on welding are most popular in the world.

 Atanu Dey, an economist from University of California, Berkeley has thought deeply about learning. He says, “Education is all about loading the bootstrap program in the brain of a child. And after you have done that, the child himself is capable of loading the other bits of software required to do everything else, or what we call learning. The important point is that the bootstrap program has to be loaded first and it has to be very small and very efficient”, he says. Ustads know this intuitively. Observing Pitamber and Diganta teach over extended period I saw this theory in action. Their focus is never on completing the syllabus, always the individual learner. Ustads have much to teach, I tell my teacher-wife.

 If Skill Development were a 10-step ladder we have a ladder with only the top few steps available in India, the bottom steps are either missing or broke. Hence most of the Forgotten Billion have poor access and are never formally trained – wasting away valuable potential. Construction trade is estimated to employ about 20% of India’s workforce and mostly attracts villagers. If Skill Development for Construction were a car, we see very few Mercedes, mostly in urban centres, many times poorly utilized and are mostly show pieces. But what people are demanding is an Alto right in their village panchayat.

 And such an Alto was encouraged to be setup across Tamil Nadu in a grand experiment by a free-spirited bureaucrat under a World Bank funded poverty alleviation program. They called it Community Skills School (CSS) - setup “by the community, for the community and of the community” - to solve their own livelihood problems. Majority of them voted for masonry and setup Community Skills Schools for Masonry right in their village panchayat. There were also others in trades like four wheeler and two wheeler repair, welding, home appliance repair and traditional ones like silk saree weaving, pottery, bamboo basket making, rose nursery, etc. An agency came to assess and found 85% were work ready. The agency operates across the country but had never seen such a school. What got them charmed was to see a good number of women enrolled. In a few districts these were all-woman masonry schools too. Go across the country and you will not find a woman-mason, they work only as helpers to masons.

 The star attraction amongst these schools was one operated by Kannan to train handicapped person including a few who are mentally challenged. Over a year 285 people with disability from across Tamil Nadu were trained to repair home appliances, laptops and TVs, all in 30 days at his CSS in Sivaganga. More than 80% of them earn between Rs 3,000 to Rs 12,000/month today. What were seen as “liabilities” by their families were now converted into “assets” by Kannan, a 2.5ft polio infected wonder.

 50% of India’s workforce still gets sustenance from agriculture, also dominated by women. There is little training available to enhance their livelihoods anywhere in the country. The initiative was extended into farming as well, calling it Community Farm School (CFS). The poorest of the poor have little assets and they depend mostly on rearing goats, which requires low cost to maintain. Across three districts of Tuticorin, Virudhunagar and Sivaganga thirty CFSs for goat rearing were launched, each run by a carefully selected Spark. A Spark is a woman of the community who has an unusually keen interest to learn and teach the trade.

 An expert veterinarian, Dr Mohan Balasubramanian, understood their problems and challenges in rearing goats, devised a syllabus accordingly and taught the Sparks to overcome them every weekend for 12 weeks. The Sparks went back to their villages and ran the CFS for those interested in their community. The mortality of the goats which had historically been between 20 to 45% had been brought down under 5% across the four districts within a year. The animals showed appreciable weight gain too. Doubling of farm incomes of the very poor does not seem impossible in a year.

 The expertise of Dr Mohan Balasubramanian has been magnified manifold by 60 Sparks, they are now capable of scaling it up across the entire three districts with only a little support from him.

 The garments hub of Tiruppur faces a shortage of 20,000 people. From my travels across Tamil Nadu I estimate that these number and more are scattered across villages. Women after working for 3-4 years in large garment exporters of Tiruppur are sitting at home. After marriage their familial responsibilities forced them to leave their jobs and go back to their villages. On such a fertile bed another pilot was initiated in Virudhunagar District. In six months, after careful selection of Sparks amongst the village community, 20 Community Enterprise garment subcontract units have emerged across the District, mostly run by such village women. The project helped them with funding, introduction to large garment companies in the region and mentored them for first three months. These units together employ more than 200 women most of whom were earlier working either in the farm or as unskilled labour.

 In all a few thousand households moved to better livelihoods in a short time. It has now been planned to scale-up 5,000 Community Skills School and Community Farm School across Tamil Nadu to skill and employ or self-employ about 3 lac people. The Virudhunagar model of tapping into dominant value chains of the state to catalyse large number of small enterprises is also being taken up.

 I argue that catalyzing and unleashing Ustads and Sparks (tomorrows’ Ustads) India can be a transformed country in five years. How to locate them? Ask the community and they will revert in no time. The investment I foresee should not exceed Rs 10,000 cr. The challenge is akin to setting a gigantic and very heavy flywheel in motion. Getting it started is very hard work but once it has it will pick up its own momentum and go ahead full speed.

 He should know.

 Steve Jobs travelled to Indian villages in his days of youth and made an observation. He says,

 “The people in the Indian countryside don’t use their intellect like we do, they use their intuition instead, and the intuition is far more developed than in the rest of the world… Intuition is a very powerful thing, more powerful than intellect, in my opinion.”

 My lessons have been similar.

 What I have shared in this long essay a Chinese poem puts it tersely and well,

Go to the people,
Live among them,
Learn from them,
Love them.
Start with what they know.
Build on what they have.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHEELS Global Foundation Launches Their First Crowdfunding Campaign on World Water Day
Raising $10,000 to Provide Access to Clean Drinking Water

Bethesda, MD., March 22, 2017– WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF), a non-profit that is a pioneer in applying technology to uplift rural communities launches their first crowdfunding campaign; “Raise a Gallon | Raise a Nation” today, on World Water Day to raise awareness and funds for the global water crisis.

Crowdfunding Campaign: https://www.generosity.com/fundraising/raise-a-gallon-l-raise-a-nation--2/x/15537152

According to UNICEF USA, Every day nearly 1,000 children die from diseases linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation. That’s one death every 90 seconds. “Raise a Gallon | Raise a Nation” campaign hopes to raise $10,000 to provide quality drinking water to the rural communities in India. The foundation plans to install six additional Clean Drinking Water Plants (CDWP) in 2017; 3 in Utter Pradesh  (U.P.), 1 in Rajasthan, 1 in Gujarat, and an additional plant in Telangana which will be launched in collaboration with Global Pragathi. 

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated March 22 as World Water Day. World Water Day is coordinated by UN-Water in collaboration with governments and partners. “Today seemed like the most appropriate day for us to launch the campaign since the world is tuned in to bring awareness to a global need and crisis, said Ron Mehta (Director, Water – WHEELS Global Foundation). He added, “I see unsanitized living conditions and children suffering from water borne diseases each time I visit our project sites in India. It is heartbreaking and we need to do something about it.”

The nonprofit foundation has successfully built 8 Clean drinking Water Plants (CDWP) in remote and impoverished villages with population of around 4,000 to 8,000, providing clean drinking water to over 50,000 rural villagers in India. “We plan to raise additional awareness and funds at our annual benefits gala this year to provide clean water to the rural communities in India, says Hiten Ghosh – President, WHEELS Global Foundation. He adds, “Most rural villages in India have no clean water. We must come together to change that.”

About WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF): WHEELS Global Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that provides technological solutions to global challenges in six areas; water, health, education, energy, lifestyles, and sustainability.  The non-profit organization’s recent successes include striking water at 675’ after months of drilling for clean water in Tamliyar village in Barmer district of Rajasthan, India.  They have provided clean drinking water to over 50,000 rural villagers in India thus far, transforming 14 acres of barren land into a productive land of abundance and delivering healthcare monitoring to 60,000 households working with their collaborator Sevak Foundation. They have also been able to provide sanitary toilets to villagers with the help of their partner; Habitat for Humanity – India Builds. For more information and videos on the tremendous work of WGF and to make a tax-deductible contribution, visit: www.WHEELSGlobalFoundation.org  

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Mark your calendar for our 2nd Annual WHEELS Achievement Awards Gala.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHEELS Global Foundation Launches Their #GivingTuesday Campaign; “Change a Life”

Global Day of Giving Takes Place this Year on November 29

Bethesda, MD., November 28, 2016 – WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF), a non-profit that is a pioneer in applying technology to uplift rural communities will launch their first #GivingTuesday campaign; “Change a Life” on November 29, 2016. Giving Tuesday is a global giving movement that has been driven by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in all 50 states and in countries around the globe. Since its founding in 2012, millions of people have come together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live. After two days of getting deals – Black Friday and Cyber Monday – #GivingTuesday is a day for giving back.

This Giving Tuesday donate to eradicate the lack of clean water, prevent avoidable sickness and disease, and increase educational opportunities for the millions of young adults that are eager to learn new skills to find better jobs. “Every action begins with one brilliant idea that intertwines innovation and technology to empower others,” said Hiten Ghosh, President WHEELS Global Foundation. He adds, “It takes one meaningful action to enhance healthy living in the rural communities.”

Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. 

Funds raised from “Change a Life” campaign will help the foundation build additional Clean Drinking Water Plants (CDWP) and work in collaboration with non-profit partners like Pratham to provide quality education to underprivileged children in India. One of the foundation’s Education track Director runs an IT training project called, “Spoken Tutorials.” This self-learning digital tool is dubbed into 22 languages of India and can also be used offline. About 2.5 million students have been successfully trained on various IT topics using this methodology. The "Spoken Tutorials" team recently received the prestigious “National ICT Award” from the Hon'ble President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee.

About WHEELS Global Foundation (WGF): WHEELS Global Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that provides technological solutions to global challenges in six areas; water, health, education, energy, lifestyles, and sustainability.  The non-profit organization’s recent successes include striking water at 675’ after months of drilling for clean water in Tamliyar village in Barmer district of Rajasthan, India.  They have provided clean drinking water to over 50,000 rural villagers in India thus far, transforming 14 acres of barren land into a productive land of abundance and delivering healthcare monitoring to 60,000 households working with their collaborator Sevak Foundation. They have also been able to provide sanitary toilets to villagers with the help of their partner; Habitat for Humanity – India Builds. For more information and videos on the tremendous work of WGF and to make a tax-deductible contribution, visit: www.WHEELSGlobalFoundation.org  

About #GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday is a movement, built by people around the world, to celebrate giving of all kinds.  It is celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (in the U.S.), Black Friday and Cyber Monday; this year it falls on November 29, 2016. This movement is the result of the collective power of a unique blend of partners—nonprofits large and small; businesses and corporations; schools and universities; civic campaigns in cities, states and regions; and families and individuals—to inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities and contribute in countless ways to the causes they believe in. Everyone has something to give. 
                                                                                       
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