Pune, India - November 21, 2008
Almost 600 physically-challenged people from Pune and the surrounding region were given a new lease of life at the recent Jaipur Foot Camp. The five-day camp, organized by Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) in association with Dow Chemical International Pvt Ltd (Dow India), was extended by one day to accommodate 597 individuals with new limbs. More than 50 Dow employees volunteered their time to assist at the event.
One patient who traveled from Kolhapur to have a limb fitted commented, "The Jaipur foot has changed my life. I feel positive about life again. After all these years, I am back on my feet able to walk and do the things I always wanted to do. The organizers of the camp took good care of us and made us feel at home."
"The successful conclusion of the Jaipur Foot Camp in Pune is a proud accomplishment for all of us, and we are delighted to have helped nearly 600 people from Pune and across Maharashtra to regain their dignity and confidence," said Mr. Sudhir Mehta, from Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS). "This initiative would not have been possible without support from Dow India. The dedication and response of Dow India's management combined with their technical team is truly commendable."
"Dow is fully committed to providing support to BMVSS through research and development, monetary help and manpower support, and it brings me great pride to know that we have made a difference in the lives of people residing in the region which is home to a growing number of our employees," said Dr. Ramesh Ramachandran, President and CEO, Dow India. "The enthusiasm of our employees combined with the smiling faces of the individuals with their new limbs has filled us with the passion and vigour to keep working on such initiatives".
The Pune camp is the second of three camps scheduled for 2008. A camp in Mumbai in October 2008 provided more than 350 people with artificial limbs and calipers. The initiative will continue in Chennai later this year to help patients in South India. The objective is to eventually distribute more than 1000 artificial limbs and calipers in the three cities.
As a part of its ongoing corporate citizenship programmes, Dow India has been associated with the Jaipur Foot initiative since 2005. In addition to committing financial resources to BMVSS, Dow India's polyurethane unit at Kalwa, Mumbai along with Pinnacle Industries has utilized its expertise to introduce the revolutionary Polyurethane (PU) Foot, which has been highly acknowledged by global orthopedic experts.
Both these organizations are currently working on the next generation polyurethane foot coated with a protective elastomer layer to enhance the life of the PU foot by 100%. This is a unique example of co-development involving an NGO and a corporate organization working together for technological development which will benefit the masses.
About Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS)
Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) Jaipur, set up in 1975, is the world's largest organization for the handicapped, benefiting more than one million handicapped in India and abroad, by providing artificial limbs, calipers and other aids and appliances since its inception. Since most of its patients are below the poverty line, this assistance has been provided totally free of charge. In the last financial year 2007-08 alone BMVSS, with support from various sensitive sources and organizations helped more than 66,000 handicapped. In the last several years BMVSS has held on-the-spot artificial limb camps in 22 countries across Asia, Africa & Latin America where there are many land mind victims. These countries include Afghanistan, Pakistan, Vietnam, Kenya, Sudan, Rwanda, Somalia, and Honduras. BMVSS is also committed to the upgrading of various aids and appliances with the help of various world-renowned scientific organizations and technology companies so that the handicapped are benefited even further.
About Pinnacle Industries
Pinnacle is India's largest commercial Vehicle Seating and interiors company. Pinnacle has been working with BMVSS and Dow India for the development of the PU foot which is being manufactured at its factory at Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh.
About Dow India
Dow Chemical International Private Limited, headquartered in Mumbai, has more than 700 employees, a head office, manufacturing site and three Centers of Excellence. Operations in India have experienced exciting growth with annual sales touching the Rs 2000 crores ($ 500 mm) in 2007. As a responsible corporate citizen, Dow India has helped build homes for the homeless through the 'Habitat for Humanity' Jimmy Carter Work Project, supplied free artificial limbs through the 'Jaipur Foot' initiative, and collaborated with the Byrraju and Anarde Foundation to supply clean drinking water to villages in India.
About Dow
For Editorial Information:
Roysten D’mello
Dow India
+91 9833859074
Sonal Kanade
Perfect Relations - Pune
+91 9922599783
skanade@perfectrelations.com
Chennakeshav Shenoy
Perfect Relations - Mumbai
+91 9819266998
cshenoy@perfectrelations.com
