[ PHILANTHROPY ]
AIF announces expansion of Rickshaw
Sangh program at Sixth Annual Spring Gala

Clinton, Reddy, Gupta and Menezes.

The American India Foundation has announced that it will enable at least 25,000 cycle rickshaw pullers across India to become owners of their vehicles by facilitating loans from commercial banks. Cycle rickshaws are a major form of public transit in smaller Indian cities and there are an estimated 8 million rickshaw pullers in the country.

The announcement of this program’s expansion was made by AIF’s CEO, Dr. Sanjay Sinho on the occasion of AIF’s Sixth Annual Spring Gala. "For many recent migrants to India’s cities, driving a cycle rickshaw is one of the easiest professions to find a job. However, lacking assets, they are unable to invest the $250 it costs to buy a rickshaw and instead have to rent their rickshaws at exorbitant rates, which relegates them to a hand-to-mouth existence. Through AIF’s Rickshaw Sangh program, they are getting access to micro-loans that enable them to buy their own rickshaws."

Former US President Bill Clinton with AIF members

Mr. Henry Kravis, founding partner of the private equity firm Kravis Kohlberg Roberts & Co. (KKR), who was honored by AIF for his corporate commitment and his philanthropic leadership, spoke of his commitment to investing in India’s economy. "India is a special place for us and we are glad to be able to invest in the growth of India. Through an organization like AIF, we can ensure that India’s economic growth is inclusive and that even cycle rickshaw drivers are able to share in the rising prosperity." KKR has already invested $1.2 billion in India and has plans to invest more in the future.

AIF also honored Dr. Anji Reddy, Chairman of Dr. Reddy’s Labs, one of India’s largest pharmaceutical companies. Previously, AIF has partnered with Dr. Reddy’s Foundation on a vocational training program for unemployed urban youth. Working together, the two organizations trained 8,000 youth for jobs in high-growth sectors of the economy in Andhra Pradesh state.

At the Gala, AIF highlighted the story of Mouzam Ali, a rickshaw driver in Lucknow, the capital city of the state of Uttar Pradesh. Mouzam, who has driven a rickshaw for 10 years, received a loan from Punjab National Bank through AIF’s nonprofit partner, Pani, to become the owner of his rickshaw. "Driving a rickshaw is difficult work but when the vehicle is my own, I do not feel bitter. The authorities used to beat us. But I have never been abused since joining the Rickshaw Sangh. The police see that an organization is looking after me and choose to bother others." Mouzam now manages to save about 500 rupees($10) a month and he and his wife earn additional income stitching uniforms for other rickshaw drivers.

AIF initiated the Rickshaw Sangh program in Guwahati, Assam in 2006. The program enhances the quality of life of rickshaw drivers by enabling them to get loans from banks to buy their own rickshaws and bringing them under the purview of formal banking services. On their own, individual rickshaw drivers lacked the credit-worthiness to get a loan to buy their rickshaw. By standing guarantor for them, AIF has succeeded in drawing them into the financial system.

The American India Foundation announced that it is honoring President Bill Clinton, its Honorary Chair, by renaming its Service Corps Fellowship, the William J. Clinton Fellowship for Service in India. The Fellowship sends 25 young American professionals each year to serve with Indian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for 10 months.

The announcement of the program’s renaming was made by AIF’s CEO, Dr. Sanjay Sinho. "President Clinton has served as our honorary chair since our inception and was the guiding force behind AIF’s formation. We could think of no better way to honor his service to India than to name this program that develops young American leaders with a focus on India."

"Through the three classes who have graduated from the Clinton School of Public Service and the hundreds of college students who have attended the Clinton Global Initiative University’s meetings, I have seen the great power this generation of young people holds to make a difference in the lives of others," President Clinton said. "I look forward to the continued success of AIF’s Service Fellowship, which is helping shape the next generation of leaders to possess a strong passion for India and the innovation to find solutions for the problems we face."

The William J. Clinton Fellowship for Service in India is an exchange of technical skills and intellectual resources that aims to build the capacity of Indian NGOs while developing American leaders with a deep understanding of, and continued commitment to, India. Since 2001, almost 200 Fellows have worked with over 90 Indian NGOs.

Yael Gottlieb, a Service Fellow alumna, is currently the Associate Director for South Asia Outreach at Human Rights Watch. She served with a Delhi-based NGO, Action India, in 2006. According to her, "The opportunity to serve in India is invaluable. Living on the ground in a community setting, learning first-hand about the challenges that people face in their everyday lives, and learning about the innovative efforts being undertaken to solve these challenges is an experience that is unique. I carry these lessons with me everyday in my work to create an awareness of human rights in India."

The alumni of the Service Corps Fellowship have continued their engagement with India in various ways. Jessica Mayberry, a 2002 Fellow, was awarded the prestigious Echoing Green Fellowship for her creation of Video Volunteers, an Ahmedabad-based organization that is providing solutions-based media for marginalized and poor communities around India. David Fuente, a 2003 Fellow is the program head for infrastructure and governance at the Chennai-based Center for Development Finance.

Highlighting the accomplishments of the alumni of the Service Corps, Sridar Iyengar, Chair of the Fellowship Advisory Council and Operating Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners said, "With President Clinton’s inspirational leadership, our hope is that more young Americans will commit to service in India. There are so many organizations there that can use the skilled assistance of young professionals. In less than a year, a Fellow can make a lasting contribution to a community."

AIF’s mission is to accelerate social and economic change in India. By mobilizing people and resources in the United States, AIF has partnered with over 100 Indian non-governmental organizations since its inception in 2001. AIF works in the fields of education, livelihood and public health projects in India. President Bill Clinton serves as AIF’s Honorary Chair.

[ AJAY GHOSH ]