After cycling from London to Gibraltar through France and Spain covering over 2000 km and raising USD 200,000 for the cause of widows and their children, UK-based lawyer and goodwill ambassador for The Loomba Foundation, Chris Parsons, will set off on foot to cover 30 marathons over 30 days in India, to try and raise $1 million for the cause.
This was announced at the annual charity dinner of the UN accredited global NGO, The Loomba Foundation, here, ahead of the International Widows Day on June 23.
Themed 'Justice for Widows - Corporate Social Responsibility', the benefit was inaugurated by former Chief Justice of India and Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC), Justice KG Balakrishnan. The British High Commissioner, Sir James David Bevan KCMG and Indian social activist and former India Police Services (IPS) officer, Dr. Kiran Bedi, were the guests of honour at the occasion.
Founder and Chairman Trustee Lord Raj Loomba CBE and Lady Loomba were also in India to attend the banquet along with Chairperson Aruna Oswal and other trustees of the Foundation.
The benefit was attended by nearly 200 benefactors and other dignitaries, and included a documentary and a performance by well-known pianist who mesmerized the audience with his soulful music.
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Ranked as a leader in the field of Corporate Finance, London-based Chris Parsons is the Chairman of the India Practice at the international law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills, where he works closely with several Indian corporates such as Bharti, Godrej, Adani and others.
Chris also lectures at a number of law schools in India including a joint programme with Oxford University. His 30 marathons will begin from The Gateway of India in Mumbai on January 10, 2015 and conclude in Bangalore 30 days later. During this period, he will cover 1260 km long journey on foot via Goa, Mangalore and Mysore. Chris will also be posting a daily summary on The Loomba Foundation blog for each of his 30 marathons. As on 21 June this year Chris had already raised over USD 30,000 dollars for the cause ahead of his marathons in India. Those interested in associating with his unique walks to sponsor the cause of widows can donate online on https://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Parsons30.
The fundraiser dinner made a strong plea to the corporate world to take into account the desolate condition of widows in our country and extend a helping hand to make a difference.
The new Companies Act 2013 mandates corporates to channelize 2 percent of their profits towards social causes such as empowering widows. The Loomba Foundation has set itself a target to improve the lives of 10,000 poor widows and about 1,00,000 family members in India this year. The funds collected at the charity dinner will be utilized to impart skill training in sewing and tailoring to the impoverished widows. On the successful completion of the training, the widows will also be given a sewing machine each to earn their livelihood.
Making his opening speech, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of India and former Chief Justice of India, KG Balakrishnan said, "Women are both venerable and vulnerable beings in our Indian society. It is time for us to come forth and give them the pedestal and the respect that they deserve. To uphold the interest of marginalized widows, we must reform and do away with any discriminatory customs or property laws as India's obligation under the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Even for the existing schemes and pensions, we must address issues like corruption, leakages, selection errors, delays, poor allocations and lack of accountability to make sure that the benefits actually reach the widows. The Loomba Foundation is doing great service as a torchbearer for the cause of widows and ensuring that widows actually receive livelihoods instead of alms, and their children receive education to carve a better future. But the change must come from within each one of us and not just the UN, the NHRC, state governments or a handful of NGOs. As individuals and as corporates, you can and must come forward to make a difference to the status of widows and other marginalized sections in the society."
Present at the occasion, the British High Commissioner Sir James Bevan KCMG said, "I feel honoured to support The Loomba Foundation. As a father of three daughters myself I personally feel close to the cause of women. Women in India and the world over are playing an increasingly important role in building progressive societies, and it should be a top priority to put an end to crime against women. This is all the more important in the case of a widow, who is alone in earning her livelihood and shoulders the additional responsibility of taking care of her family too. All widows deserve a happy and dignified life. I applaud the relentless, passionate efforts put in by Lord Loomba for the uplift of widows in India and elsewhere. This achievement in giving this cause global recognition through the International Widows Day is truly remarkable."
Founder and Chairman Trustee, Lord Raj Loomba CBE said, "We are committed to get widows their rightful place and recognition in the society. We have come a long way from the days of the Sati practices but still a lot needs to be done. It is not an easy feat but with grit, determination and sufficient funds, we are sure to make a difference. I am extremely delighted to witness the warm response from our benefactors. I am especially thankful to Chris, our patron for many years, whose immense stamina and will to volunteer for the cause is commendable. I appeal to more corporates to come forth and join hands with us. With the funds raised at today's benefit, you all are gifting a new life to the widows by making them self-reliant and resourceful to be able to tend to their families well."
Sharing his enthusiasm to support yet another fund-raiser activity for The Loomba Foundation, Chris Parsons, said, "The year 2015 marks my 30 years of service and what better way to commemorate the same by dedicating it to an honourable cause by undertaking 30 marathons over 30 days. India has been a second home to me and The Loomba Foundation's unremitting efforts for the cause of widows are yet another wonderful source of inspiration to undertake this challenge. I invite every individual who cares for the cause to join me for one or more marathons and encourage as many people as possible to donate for widows and their families.
