Mumbai
March 14, 2017
Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust recently joined hands with Rotary India Literacy Mission with the aim to set up 10,000 libraries across India with the Rotary network. It all started in 1996 when Ratna Nidhi and Rotary club of Bombay, Worli joined hands with an aim to provide the underserved with access to quality educational materials for their growth and advancement.
Together they imported a 40 feet container of books from Rotary Club of White Rock, Canada. Thereafter Ratna Nidhi got empanelment with World Bank Washington DC. In the past 20 years, Ratna Nidhi and Rotary in India have imported and distributed more than 2 lakh books to thousands of school & college libraries.
Now that Ratna Nidhi has joined hands with Rotary network in India and globally, the books from ‘Mission Million Books’ will be made available for Rotary clubs to set up happy libraries in their communities. Ratna Nidhi has already donated 20,000 books to Rotary club of Kolhapur, Pune and Gandhinagar. Also, together they have managed to open 228 happy libraries across
On the occasion, Rajiv Mehta, Trustee, Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust said, “It is surely possible, that these happy libraries will ignite our children to be the next Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs. We are doing our duty to provide opportunities to young minds and in the process becoming catalysts for change.”
He further added, “We are the modern-day Robin Hood- taking from those who have and do not want and giving it to those who need and do not have.”
Talking on the same RILM's spokesperson said “Rotary has been involved in book collection and library creation for quite some time now. Just 2 years back we collected 1.9 lakh books. On September 8 2016, International Literacy Day, the Union HRD Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar launched 5,000 libraries. Till now Rotary India Literacy Mission has set up more than 2,000 libraries. We are happy to partner with Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust to make 10,000 libraries in government and government-aided schools across India. “
About
Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust
Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust is a non-profit organisation that was established in 1967 by Mr Mahendra Mehta. It was set up in order to tackle the problems of poverty in Mumbai, especially amongst young children. From its humble origins as a family institution it has grown rapidly, and our projects have covered a wide range of activities located in both India and other developing countries.
Ratna Nidhi strives to empower underserved children, youth and the disabled community through relevant support services like education, clothes, books, food and using innovative technology solutions in the area of disability.
Our current initiatives are targeted towards the physically challenged and underprivileged children in society and are as follows:
· Mobility Project
· Education Scholarship for Children of Terror Victims
· Food for Education
· Garments and Books Project
About
Rotary India Literacy Mission (RILM)
Rotary India Literacy Mission (RILM) aims to achieve ‘Total Literacy and Quality Education’ in India through its ‘T-E-A-C-H’ program, with each letter representing a different program vertical.
The T-E-A-C-H Program stands for:
T - eacher Support
E - learning
A - dult literacy
C - hild development and
H - appy School