New York, United States
The Loomba Foundation, a charity founded to benefit impoverished women and children around the world, will host a Diwali dinner at the United Nations, honoring First Lady Laura Bush, and Craig Barrett, Chairman of the Board, Intel Corporation, for their leadership in education on Thursday, November 29, 2007.
Mrs. Laura Bush, who is actively involved in issues of national and global concern with a particular emphasis on education, healthcare and human rights, will be honored with the 2007 Humanitarian Award for Education. "Thank you to Cherie Blair and to everyone at the Loomba Foundation for honoring me with this year's Humanitarian Award for Education. Most of all, thank you for the outstanding work you do every day to help widows and children," said Mrs. Laura Bush in a taped video interview.
Craig Barrett, Chairman of the Board, Intel Corporation, will be presented with a 2007 Humanitarian Award for his leadership and commitment to global education of disadvantaged children. Cherie Blair QC, President of The Loomba Trust & Foundation, will present the award to Dr. Barrett.
"We are big believers at Intel that all poor children, everywhere, deserve the chance to change the world, and that possibility begins with a strong education," said Craig R. Barrett, Intel, Chairman of the Board. "We're proud to receive this honor from the Loomba Foundation, an organization that supports the potential of education for children in need.
Also expected to attend this year's Diwali dinner are Lord Navnit Dholakia, Peer in the UK House of Lords; Vijay Amritraj, former professional Indian tennis player; and Nirupam Sen, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations and Mrs. Sen, as well as other local dignitaries. The event is well supported by financial services corporations, hedge funds and other entities.
Last year, The Loomba Foundation honored Renuka Chowdhury, Minister of State for Women and Children in India; Rachel Mayanja, Assistant Secretary General and Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women; and Yoko Ono, artist and activist. They were recognized for their efforts to benefit widows and children throughout the world and for their courage demonstrated through their own experience as widows.
The black tie reception will begin at 6:30 PM with dinner following at 7:30 PM. For tickets, please call (646) 438-1214 before 12 noon today. For more information, please visit www.theloombafoundation.org.
About The Loomba Foundation:
The Loomba Foundation is a sister charity of the Loomba Trust, founded in 1997 in the United Kingdom by Raj Loomba in memory of his late mother who became a widow at 37 in India in 1954. Inspired by his mother's struggle to educate her seven children, Raj Loomba dedicated himself to improving conditions for widows and their children around the world.
The Loomba Trust & Foundation presently educates over 3,600 children of poor widows in all the 29 states of India. It also supports 1,500 HIV orphans in South Africa in partnership with Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Unite. The Loomba Trust & Foundation Entrepreneurship programs, started earlier this year in Kenya, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, help widows establish businesses and become economically self-sufficient. These programs are in conjunction with Youth Business International, which is HRH The Prince of Wales' charity in the UK.
The Loomba Trust & Foundation are also working to have the United Nations recognize International Widows Day to draw global attention to the plight of the estimated 100 million destitute widows around the world. International Widows Day was launched in the UK at the House of Lords in 2005. The Organization helps poor widows and educates their children, regardless of gender or religion. For more information, please visit the website: www.theloombafoundation.org.
Source: Business Wire (Business Wire India)