Amritraj Floats Charity To Help AIDS Victims In India

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Amritraj Floats Charity To Help AIDS Victims In India

Tennis star-turned-entertainment moghul and UN Messenger for Peace,

Vijay Amritraj, has launched a charity that will aid organisations

working in India among HIV/AIDS victims.

The UN estimates that about 5.5 million people are suffering from

HIV/AIDS in India and only a fraction is getting treatment despite

the country's pharmaceutical industry producing low cost medicines

for the disease.

Launching the `Amritraj Foundation' yesterday, the 53-year old

sportsman, who has also been a commentator and an actor, said his

decision to float the charity came after he witnessed the extent of

suffering of the HIV/AIDS victims while on assignments as the UN's

Messenger for Peace.

The Foundation will extend support to charities in India, who have a

considerable track record of working among the HIV/AIDS affected in

India. Focus would be given to children affected by the virus, he

said.

The first of the charity to be identified for help is Naaz

Foundation (India) Trust, based in New Delhi and on the field since

1994. Naaz is already being supported by Ford Foundation, the UNESCO

and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Amritraj said he had received overwhelming support for the project

from the Indian American community, who were among the richest

minorities in the United States.

As part of its efforts to raise funds, the California-based

Foundation will organise the Vijay Amritraj Charity Golf Classic in

November next, which will be followed by a gala banquet in Los

Angeles.

http://www.medindia.net/news/view_news_main.asp?x=11319