Lives Impacted Through Skilling: 21000 and Counting!

Surya KIran-2016: Beti Bachao, Beti Bachao Celebrations of Sun Foundation

New Delhi, February 20, 2016: Sun Foundation, an initiative of Padma Shri Vikramjit Singh Sahney celebrated Surya KIran-2016: Beti Bachao, Beti Bachao, its Annual Day as it embarked upon yet another year to serve the underprivileged section of the society.

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The event was livened by electrifying performances by the beneficiaries and awardees  of Sun Foundation who have made their name on national and international front through their sheer determination and tireless efforts. On this occasion, Mr. Sahney announced adopting the families of martyrs of Pathankot attack and the widows of the farmers of Punjab as also reaffirming the pledge against drug abuse in the society. Maneka Gandhi distributed cheques to kith & kin of Pathankot martyrs.

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The social ambassadors of the Foundation – Meghna Kumar, Vinod Thakur, Tejaswai Sharma & Pradeep Raj were honoured on this occasion.  They also shared their success story with the audience.

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The event at FICCI auditorium witnessed many eminent personalities including Mrs. Maneka Gandhi, Hon’ble Minister for Woman & Child Development, GOI; Aruna Oswal, Kusum Ansal, Ansie Van Heeden, Tarlochan Singh, R.S. Chadha etc.  Each one present applauded and pledged their support to the foundation.

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Sun Foundation was established by Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Padma Shri in 1998 to empower the underprivileged section of our society. The foundation has 50 Skill Development Centres with over 10000 youth being trained so far.  Each year more than 3000 women and girls are being empowered through the projects ‘Surya Kiran’ where vocational training and skill development are imparted to women and girls free of cost, ‘Taare Zameen Par’ vocational training institute for differently abled children, ‘Save the girl Child’ partnering the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign of Shri Narendra Modi , Hon’ble Prime Minister . The campaign raises strong concern about exacerbating sex discrimination and female foeticide. ‘Angels of Sun’ project aims at providing financial support to needy children for their Care and Development. ‘Drug De-Addiction’ a campaign for drug free India. ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ partnering the campaign for Clean India initiated by Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. Under Jai Jawan & Jai Kisan projects, the families of the martyrs of Pathankot & widows of Vidharba & Punjab are being adopted. ‘Sikh Heritage Multimedia Museum’ first of its kind museum at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib,New Delhi highlighting the key tenets of Sikhism.

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Speaking on the occasion Vikramjit Sahney said, “We have to look beyond ourselves and consider Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – and do our best to support the lesser privileged in their empowerment process. Poverty or disability cannot be allowed to be a stumbling block in the way of skill empowerment.  We need to recognize and support their talent and help them attain extraordinary heights.  Our beneficiaries have attained an exemplary status in society by turning around their adverse conditions to their advantage with sheer determination and courage. The efforts of Sun Foundation is to empower them. This is just a drop in the ocean. There is a lot more to do and we will continue our movement with unwavering faith and strengthen the hands of our Government in any which way we are ordained as a public private partnership.”

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Addressing the august gathering, Smt. Maneka Gandhi said that it is the endeavor of the Government to empower the disadvantaged youth through skills as there are tremendous opportunities waiting to be fulfilled.  She also congratulated Mr. Sahney on his efforts towards making an inclusive society.