February 1, 2013
Manitoba Provides Support to Underprivileged, Abandoned Citizens in India
AMRITSAR, India—The Manitoba government will provide financial support to the Pingalwara hospice in the Indian state of Punjab, Premier Greg Selinger announced here today.
“Manitobans are known for their generosity and their support for people in need,” said Selinger. “Pingalwara provides support to some of India’s most forgotten people – the poor, elderly, sick and underprivileged – and I’m proud to extend Manitoba’s support for its important work.”
The premier announced a $50,000 donation to Pingalawara through the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) and the Manitoba Matching Grant Program, which funds projects overseas that relate to education, literacy, health, job creation, agriculture, the environment and micro-enterprise business development.
Pingalwara was founded in the early 1900s by Bhagat Puran Singh to support the disabled, mentally ill and others who were forgotten by Indian society. Today, Pingalwara has facilities for 1,080 patients who are fed, housed and looked after thanks to donations. The facility also offers a free drug dispensary, blood bank services and free primary school in the slum area of Amritsar.
“Manitoba has strong and meaningful connections with India and, through the work of MCIC, we are helping improve the lives of some families in India, as we do in other parts of the world,” said Selinger. “It’s incredible to see the particular impact that Pingalwara has had on the lives of abandoned children in the Punjab, helping educate them and prepare them for a better life.”
As a sign of gratitude, the premier was presented with a siropa, a garment of honour in Sikh culture.
Since 2009, the Manitoba Matching Grant Program, administered by MCIC, has provided nearly $240,000 in support to India and this funding has been leveraged through other supports and donations to provide nearly $2.4 million to projects in that country.
The premier is participating in a 10-day trade mission to India with a delegation of provincial business leaders and representatives of Manitoba's colleges and universities. Earlier this week he addressed the Confederation of Indian Industry and Ludhiana Management Association, promoting Manitoba as a great place to do business and study.
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