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Who benefits from the Tsunami Funds?
Added: (Tue Feb 15 2005)
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release Friday 15th Feb. 2005
Indian businessman holds charity and Tsunami orphans to ransom
A charitable project that could give over 100 of India’s Tsunami orphans a dream fresh start in life is being put in jeopardy by the actions of Indian businessman Bushan Kadam.
The Dharo Foundation, started by an British benefactor, bought a beautiful plot of coastline on India’s exotic Goa region from Bushan Kadam in 2003. The dream was to found a school to give disadvantaged, but gifted children a dream start in life. However, trouble began when Bushan Kadam, although paid in full, reneged on the original agreement and is now holding the project and Dharo Foundation hostage whilst asking for more money.
Dharo Foundation is one man’s dream to give the gifted children and young adults the opportunity to realize their potential irrespective of their background or nationality. The only criteria being their ability and their determination to excel in their chosen field, be it science, art, music, sports there is no distinction.
While there are many excellent organizations involved in tackling child poverty, Dharo Foundation will focus on the more gifted children who can be put on a fast track to success and be nurtured in the hope that they in turn help pull other children out of the quagmire of dire poverty. The philosophy behind it: “It’s the few who make the difference”.
The concept was simple, to start a business, the entire profits of which would fund the organisation and management costs of the foundation. Once the foundation was up and running appeals would be made to the attract voluntary workers such as teachers, health workers, carers and also fund-raisers for the foundation.
Various business options and countries were examined and finally the business option of a holiday resort and a children’s home with the aims of the foundation were to be set up in Goa. It is hoped this will eventually become a self-sustaining unit. When this worked it could be repeated in various countries where there is a need to enhance the quality of life of children in need.
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It was decided to have the first resort and home in Goa. It seemed a good choice, as it is a major tourist area with good communication and English is widely spoken. The low cost of living was an important consideration as the children need to be housed, fed, clothed and educated.
Eventually a large piece of land was purchased from Mr.Bushan Kadam in 2003. He and his wife signed the sales deed and were paid in full. He is a young business man, apparently from a good family background. He was very enthusiastic about the project and wanted to be involved so the Dharo Foundation invited him to be one of the Trustees.
A great deal of time and money was spent in clearing the grounds, constructing accommodation and all the necessary facilities, but just before the resort was due to open Mr.Bushan Kadam failed to complete the transfer formalities at the local council. Because of his refusal the project is in limbo. It appears he is looking for more money.
There is no resort and no children’s home. A whole YEAR has been lost.
The tragedy of it all is, if the project, financed by a single person with help from his family, had gone ahead as planned Dharo Foundation would be position to take care of over a hundred victims of the Tsunami. Unfortunately nothing more can be done until Mr.Bushan Kadam has a change of heart.
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For more information or to arrange an interview contact the Dharo Foundation’s office in the UK:
Mr Krish Raman
Tel:020 8760 0909 Mobile: 07913 281966 E-mail: gkr1218@yahoo.co.uk
Address: 1 Ulpand Road, South Croydon, Surrey, CR2 6RD.