On behalf of the Republic of China (Taiwan) government, Ambassador Tien Chung-kwang, Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India (TECC), handed a cheque of Rs. 2,979,650 to Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), an Indian non-governmental organization committed to children’s right protection, at Mukti Ashram near New Delhi on Dec. 21, 2018.
The BBA, meaning “Save the Childhood Movement” in English, was founded by Indian Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi in the 1980’s. Over the past three decades, the movement has liberated more than 87,000 children from labour exploitation and slavery, according to BBA. Mr. Satyarthi, together with Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan, was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
The donation was received by Mrs. Sumedha Kailash. Kailash Satyarthi was also present to witness the ceremony. Amb. Tien said the nearly 30-lakh rupees from Taiwan will be used for purchasing food and clothes, providing medical and transport support, and covering cost of informal education, sports and entertainment activities etc. for the children staying in the Ashram in the coming months. Around 150 children are expected to benefit directly from the funds.
Kailash Satyarthi thanked Taiwan for its generous assistance and touted Taiwan as a sincere and long-term friend with BBA. According to BBA, more than 1,500 Taiwanese youths visited India to serve in Mukti Ashram (Delhi) and Bal Ashram (Rajasthan) over the past five years.
Amb. Tien said Taiwan, as a free democracy, has one of the most vigorous civil societies in the world. Under the government’s New Southbound Policy, Taiwan seeks to deepen its relationship with India in not only businesses and technology, but also culture, education, NGOs and people-to-people contacts. He also congratulated Kailash Satyarthi on the successful release of “The Price of Free” in November, a documentary portraying his relentless contribution to help the children in and beyond India.
Mr. Satyarthi visited Taiwan as one of the keynote speakers at the Yushan Forum on Oct. 11 this year. He met Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, Deputy Foreign Minister Hsu Szu-chien and executive directors from Waker Welfare Action Association and Eden Social Welfare Foundation, two prominent NGOs in Taiwan actively engaging in international social work and voluntary service.
The above donation of Rs.297,9650, equivalent to USD42,350 roughly, is the third from Taiwan to BBA in recent years. During Kailash Satyarthi’s first visit to Taiwan in 2015, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced USD50,000 donation to BBA. The second one of USD45,000 was provided in 2016 and had been fully executed in the first half of the year.
Amb. Tien Chung-kwang (right), Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India (TECC), handed a cheque of Rs. 2,979,650 to Sumedha Kailash, wife of Kailash Satyarthi, Indian Nobel Peace Laureate who was also present to witness the ceremony.
