ING Investment Management raises funds for underprivileged girls through auction of paintings

Mumbai - Friday, September 14, 2007: ING Investment Management India has taken the initiative of raising funds for underprivileged girls adopted by ‘Pratham’ - a reputed NGO in India. Pratham’s Mumbai Education Initiative trained the underprivileged girls to create fifteen ‘works of art’, which have been put up on exhibition at the head office of ING Investment Management in Mumbai. The final bidding session took place on 14th September ’07 at 12.00 noon and the employees participated wholeheartedly in the bidding process.

The highest bidders became the proud owners of the paintings and also presented the bid cheques to the girls, who created the ‘masterpieces’. To add to the excitement, ING Investment Management matched the overall bid amount collected and donated the funds to Pratham for the well-being of the underprivileged girls. Globally, corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of ING’s businesses. Clear policies, innovative products and grassroots programme enable ING to meet the financial and social expectations of people connected with it.

Speaking on this occasion, Vineet K. Vohra, MD & CEO, ING Investment Management India, stated, "quot;This initiative is an representation of many projects that ING’s employees worldwide are supporting to contribute to the community they live in. This is our first step towards being a socially responsible corporate and we plan initiate many more in the future."quot;

About Pratham: Pratham was started in Mumbai in 1994. This NGO involves the people of Mumbai to help the government in its quest of universalizing primary education. Pratham goes a step further by providing shelter to street / slum children ensuring that they complete their basic education. As a special initiative taken by Pratham it has developed the skills of some of these children in art, painting and stitching thereby giving these children an opportunity to earn their livelihood. The paintings that we plan to auction are an effort of this initiative. Today Pratham has spread across 21 states and it actively assists local governments, leading corporate houses and the citizens at large to drive projects concerning the welfare of children and their education. It is also supported by ING Vysya Foundation in India.

Source : Equity Bulls

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