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Dedication Ceremony to Unveil New Language Lab at Andheri-Based Fidai Girls’ Educational Institute

What: The Fidai Girls’ Educational Institute in Andheri (West) Mumbai is opening a brand new language lab for 250 students, as well as 750 boys and girls (ages 6 to 16) living in the poor neighborhoods surrounding the school. The new lab will be unveiled at a gala inauguration fete on Sunday, 27th January, 2008, at the Fidai Institute. More than 100 people from the community are expected to attend the dedication ceremony and festivities.

How: The language lab was made possible thanks to a $25,000 (U.S.) donation from the U.S.-based Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals, Foundation and 28-year MDRT member, and Mumbai native, Mr. Kamal N. Daya, CLU, ChFC, currently of Dallas, Texas.

Daya, an agent with New York Life Insurance Company, and a long-time active supporter of the Fidai Girls Educational Institute, nominated and endorsed the MDRT Foundation grant application for the school. After a very competitive review process, the Fidai Institute was awarded a $5,000 (U.S.) MDRT Foundation grant to purchase equipment for a Linguaphone Language Lab, to teach 1,000 local children English as a second language. Using both audio and visual inputs, the children will be able to acquire a 1,300-word active vocabulary and learn to speak English naturally and fluently.

In addition to the $5,000 grant from the MDRT Foundation, Daya and his family are contributing an additional $20,000 (U.S.) of their own money to complete the language lab and make it ready for the children. Daya has also pledged the funds necessary to operate the lab for its first five years.

Why: The mission of the MDRT Foundation has always been to give back to member’s local communities and support worthwhile charities around the world. With the MDRT membership in India rapidly growing, this kind of project provided an excellent opportunity for the MDRT Foundation to not only give to a worthwhile cause, but also allowed MDRT members to give back and support their local schools, neighborhoods and communities.

 Schedule of Events:     

Complimentary Cocktail Reception and Dinner for the Media

Friday, 25th January, 2008

9 p.m.

Karl Residency Hotel

38 Lalubhai Park Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai 400058

(+91 22) 2625 0550 and 2621 2232

Fidai Girls’ Educational Institute Language Lab Grand Opening and Dedication

Sunday, 27th January, 2008

6 p.m.

Fidai Girls’ Educational Institute

Fidai Baug, Swami Vivvekanand Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai 400058

Phone: (+91 22) 2628 4692/2671 2229

Fax: 91 22 2628 8216

Media Opportunities: All media are invited to attend the complimentary special media reception and dinner on Friday, 25th January, to celebrate the school’s grand opening. All media are also invited to attend the grand opening and dedication ceremony of the language lab on Sunday, 27th January. Those attending the events include: MDRT President Mr. James E. Rogers, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; MDRT’s Second Vice President Mr. Guy E. Baker, CLU, MSFS, of Irvine, California; MDRT Member Mr. Kamal N. Daya, CLU, ChFC; Fidai Institutions Senior Executive Officer Mrs. N.E. Dhanani; and local MDRT members, as well as local officials and insurance company representatives. Local children and their families, who will be using the school, will also be attending the gala inauguration festivities. All of these people will be available to the media for interviews, and photos will also be available upon request.

About the School: Fidai Institutions is a non-profit organization that provides education to children living in poverty in Mumbai. For 73 years, Fidai has provided opportunities for children to get a good education and prepare to overcome their misfortunes so as to achieve a better future for themselves and their families.  In the emerging world of meritocracy the best guarantees for their success are knowledge, competence and a deep sense of values that will guide them for the rest of their life. Fidai’s message, therefore, to the Fidai students is that any hardships they have suffered should be made to become a spur for motivation, to think, to work intelligently and courageously, and to commit to improving their future. Web site: http://www.fidai.org/aboutusfidai.html.

About MDRT and the MDRT Foundation: The MDRT Foundation was created in 1959 to provide Round Table members with a means to give back to their communities. MDRT has 2,009 MDRT members in India and 144 MDRT members living and working in Mumbai. Over the years, MDRT members in India have donated a total of $9,890 (U.S.), including $3,020 (U.S.) from members in Mumbai, to the MDRT Foundation. In return, the MDRT Foundation has donated a total of $81,000 (U.S.) to a total of 11 different funding projects in India.

The MDRT Foundation was created in 1959 to provide MDRT members with a means to give back to their communities and improve the quality of life for those in need throughout the world. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated more than $20.4 million (U.S.) in 67 countries. The majority of these funds were raised by MDRT members and represent contributions from MDRT members. Web site: www.mdrtfoundation.org.