INDIAN SUMMER PARTY AT CHELSEA CONSERVATORY

INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S CHARITY, ANNOUNCE FIRST FUNDRAISING EVENT OF 2009 – INDIAN SUMMER PARTY AT CHELSEA CONSERVATORY

• Pratham, on target to bring literacy to 100 million children in India by 2010
• Bill Gates via the Hewlett Foundation gives backing to Pratham's cause including $9.1 million donation
• The learning skills of 33 million children living in rural areas improved through Pratham's flagship program- Read India since 2007.
• Approximately 250,000 underprivileged children living in urban areas helped every year.

• 60 million children in India aged 6 - 14 years old are not in school
• Ground breaking programs whereby children improve their reading and arithmetic skills in 4-16 weeks.

Pratham UK,the UK incorporated charity with the aim of raising awareness and funds for umbrella organisation Pratham,the international charity for providing universal primary education to under privileged children living in India, will be launching their fundraising activities this year with the Indian Summer Garden Party,taking place on Sunday, 28^th June 2009, 5.00pm - 11.00pm at The Conservatory at Chelsea.

The event, which will be attended by an array of international celebrities, distinguished dignitaries and international delegates will support in raising the necessary funds for Pratham's flagship programme, Read India, a nationwide campaign helping children in the age group of 6-14 years, improve their basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills through accelerated learning techniques.Pratham has successfully brought literacy to over 33 million children in India through its Read India campaign, but more than 60 million children in India still need to be reached to achieve the charity's goal of targeting 100 million children by 2010, a goal that is ambitious, but not impossible.

Amongst the splendour of The Conservatory at Chelsea, the evening will boast an exotic evening of entertainment, including delectable Indian fusion cuisine prepared by renowned caterers.

Vilas Gadkari, Chairman, Pratham UK comments: "Education is a basic human right. Tobring literacy is to open an opportunity window to somebody who otherwise would have little chances of succeeding. Increasing literacy amongst the youth should be made a pivotal part of every country's agenda, especially when it provides a way out of conditions of extreme poverty and a path to achieving emotional literacy amongst children.

Pratham's pioneering work has demonstrated how active support and campaigning can offer children a better and enriched future. We are nearly half way to reaching our goal of enhancing literacy amongst 100 million children in India and we call upon everyone to join our movement and support Pratham in actualising its ambition and changing the lives of children."

- ENDS -

Media requesting further information should contact.

Sterling Communications

Natasha Mudhar

T: 020 7801 0077

E: [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

• Indian Summer Party takes place on Sunday 28^th June 2009 at Chelsea Conservatory, 5.00pm-11.00pm.
• Tickets are priced at £150.00 and can be purchased directly from http://www.etickets.to/buy/?e=2758
• Websites:www.pratham.org

                              www.prathamuk.org

• Awards and Recognitions

• § In 2000, The Global Development Network Award, sponsored by the World Bank/ Government of Japan was awarded to Pratham. Pratham was named as one of the top three "most innovative development projects".

• § In 2008, ASER and Akshara Foundation (a member of the Pratham India Education Initiative) received the Excellence in Information Integrity Award from the Information Integrity Coalition, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes awareness and understanding of information integrity.
• § In addition, Pratham's senior leadership has received several honours and recognitions.

To help improve the reading, writing and arithmetic levels of underprivileged children in the 6-14 year age group, Pratham launched the nationwide Read India campaign in 2007. Read India seeks to catalyze existing resources and energize structures to strengthen children's learning. The campaign is being executed with the help of school teachers, anganwadi workers and volunteers, who are mobilized and trained by Pratham teams.

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