Indian American student wins 2014 International Children's Peace Prize

November 19, 2014

Neha GuptaWashington, Nov 19: Indian-American student Neha Gupta has won the 2014 International Children's Peace Prize Award for her exceptional work to raise money for underprivileged children around the world.

Netherlands King Willem-Alexander, former archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai presented Gupta with her award during a ceremony at The Hague, Netherlands Tuesday.

A first-year Schreyer Honours College scholar in the Eberly College of Science at Pennsylvania State University, Gupta will be entering the pre-medicine programme, according to a release from University.

Inspired by what she saw during a visit to India with her grandparents, Gupta founded Empower Orphans, an organization designed to support orphaned and abandoned children in India and the US.

Her work, which she started at age 9, has grown into a charity that to date has raised over $1 million and has helped more than 25,000 children.

The list of projects includes opening libraries, developing paths to health care, and promoting education.

The award is widely accepted as the most prestigious international award a young person can win.

Last year's winner, Malala Youzafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education, went on to become the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014.

"Neha's leadership, vision and work ethic have helped countless orphaned, abandoned and impoverished children, and most remarkably she was just a child herself when she began this work," said Penn State President Eric Barron.

"We're very proud that she has been recognized with the 2014 International Peace Prize, and hope that this visibility will inspire others to also pursue worthy endeavours to benefit humankind."

The International Children's Peace Prize was created by the Amsterdam-based children's rights organization, KidsRights, and is awarded to a child whose work and actions have made a significant, positive impact in improving children's rights worldwide.

"While Neha is only a first-year student, she is already fulfilling the vision of the Schreyer Honors College as we strive to educate men and women who will have an important and ethical influence in the world," said Christian M. M. Brady, dean of the Schreyer Honours College.

While the focus of her work began with orphans in India, Gupta has also helped many families around Philadelphia, where her family lives.

The International Children's Peace Prize isn't the first time Gupta's work has been celebrated.

She won numerous awards including the 2011 World of Children Award, the President's Volunteer Service Award, the Congressional Award, and also the national Prudential Spirit of Community award.

Along with the prize, a 100,000 Euro grant will be given to projects closely associated with Gupta's area of dedication.

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Media Release
April 16,2020

Dammam: President of Indian Social Forum, Eastern Province Mr.Wasim Rabbani urged immediate intervention of Indian government to help Non Residential Indians who are in trouble due to corona pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

He said in a press rease that expatriate Indians are in concern  as number of corona infected people and  deaths are increasing in danger level.

Hea said, "the Saudi health minister's statement a few days ago indicates that the situation in Saudi needs to be taken more seriously with precautionary methods. There are concerns among expatriates because the number of people infected with the coronavirus and the number of deaths reported in various provinces are increasing at an alarming rate."

"Saudi Government and Health Ministry are taking excellent precautionary measures, however, in the coming days expect to see the number of cases to increase in Saudi Arabia. The Indian government needs to take diplomatic and immediate intervention to ensure the treatment of Indian expatriates considering the number of effected people increasing", He said.

He also urged that the Embassy and the Government of India should ensure qaurantiane faculty for Indian expatriates and arrange special low cost flights to bring back expatriates who would like to return home country.

" Government of India and Indian embassy need to intervene immediately to ensure that the quarantine system is in place for Indian expatriates as the facilities in the rooms where the residents are staying together are very limited. There should also be a mechanism to organize low-cost flight services for expatriates who are ready to go home. The government system should also be able to accommodate the expatriates in special quarantine areas in hometown as soon they arrive in India", he urged.

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January 28,2020

Riyadh, Jan 28: The celebration of the 71st Republic Day was held on January 26th by the Central Committee of the Indian Social Forum Riyadh at the Ramada Hotel Auditorium in Riyadh. People from different Indian states and different religious backgrounds were present during the event.

The program was inaugurated with the unity song, Saleem Moulavi– Regional committee member India Fraternity Forum/Riyadh inaugurated the program.

Social Forum Central Committee president Janab Harris Mangaluru chaired the program and welcomed the guests. In his presidential speech he described and uncovered stories of freedom struggle and participants of Indian Muslims for the freedom fight. He urged everyone to fight against unconstitutional Citizenship Amendment Bill which passed by Centre government. He said that the We will continue its agitation against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the NRC and would not relent unless the Union government withdrew the Act.

Indian Social Forum Karnataka State Committee member Janab Mohammed Naveed delivered the Republic Day message. He said India was formed based on concept of ‘unity in diversity’ and it becomes every Indians’ responsibility to safeguard it. He expressed concern over CAA, NRC and NPR. Across India, students at other universities are against the Citizenship Amendment Act passed by Centre government.  The law offers amnesty to undocumented migrants from three neighboring Muslim-majority countries but only if they are non-Muslim. Critics say that by excluding Muslims, the law establishes a religious test for Indian citizenship, in violation of the secularism enshrined in India's constitution. The Indians, irrespective of caste, creed, religion and region have firmly resolved to oppose the draconian laws and fascist moves to debar the poor. Constitution granted to every person and citizen of India who are not ready to put them on a test of ideology of RSS and programs of BJP to implement the Brahmanist mind-set. He said that the police atrocities against CAA/NRC/NPR protesters had increased only in BJP-ruled States and  there were several loose ends in the police story about the incidents leading to the firing.

Eng Shahul Hameed – Coordinator of Tamil Nadu Islamic Federation, Dr. Jahangeer Ahmed - Assistant professor/King Saud university, Mohammed Rafi – Gen Secretary of India Fraternity Forum Regional Committee, Mr. Abdul jaleel– Vice President of Indian Islahi Center, Mr. Basha –Member of IFT Executive Council , Mr. Ajmal Hussain – Member of Pravasi Forum central Committee, Younus Wallan – President Humanity Forum Riyadh. All delivered the message on the eve.

Basheer Karandur, General Secretary of Social Forum Central Committee, welcomed the gathering and Social Forum Riyadh Tamilnadu State Committee President Jabir presented the vote of thanks. Abdul Basheer was master of ceremony.

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News Network
June 28,2020

Dubai: A blood donation drive was conducted by Karnataka Sports and Cultural Club (KSCC) at in Al Wasl Club Stadium here on Friday, 26th June 2020.

The drive started around 1:00 pm and continued till 4:00 pm as per schedule provided by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Blood Donation Centre and 60 people donated blood to support the Blood Bank. The drive was well organised by maintaining social distance in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As blood cannot be produced but only can be donated, this drive will help many patients in need of blood during emergencies. Donors were also feeling proud and happy at this moment thinking of saving someone’s life.

DHA Blood Donation Centre staff carried out the screening and testing done in very well manner keeping social distancing during this pandemic. Volunteers of KSCC were also helping the staff to keep people in safe distance and to make this drive a success.

KSCC Manager Mr. Mohammad Shafi and other office bearers were present at the event venue. KSCC thanked the volunteers, Community Development of Authority (CDA), Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Blood Donation Centre, Government of Dubai and Al Wasl Club Stadium for making the event successful.

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