Tag: UNICEF

Business

Venus Remedies clinches dual tender from globally acclaimed UNICEF & PAHO

Jun 20, 2024 by Sujata Muguda 0 Comments #Chandigarh, #Good Manufacturing Practices, #PAHO, #Pan American Health Organisation, #Saransh Chaudhary, #UNICEF, #UNICEF & PAHO, #United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, #Venus Remedies, #Venus Remedies Ltd

Chandigarh, June 20, 2024: Three months after getting the coveted Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) approval from the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), leading global pharmaceutical company Venus Remedies Limited has been awarded a tender by UNICEF for supplying ceftriaxone (1gm), a beta-lactam antibiotic, in dry powder form.

Ceftriaxone dry powder is an important drug in Venus Remedies’ extensive antibiotic portfolio. Moreover, ceftriaxone is an important antibiotic globally due to its broad-spectrum activity and effectiveness in treating a variety of serious bacterial infections. The global ceftriaxone market was valued at USD 1.7 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.9% from 2022 to 2031 to reach over USD 2.2 billion by the end of 2031.

In another development crucial to improving healthcare outcomes in Latin America, Venus Remedies Ltd has also been awarded an oncology tender by the WHO-backed Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the world’s oldest international public health agency. The company has been entrusted with the responsibility of supplying a wide range of essential oncology drugs like bleomycin, carboplatin, cisplatin, cytarabine, doxorubicin, irinotecan, methotrexate and vincristine.

Strengthening the company’s position as a trusted partner in the global healthcare supply chains, the company’s collaboration with UNICEF and its inceptive agreement with the PAHO tender authority, signify a notable milestone for Venus Remedies, enhancing its contribution to global health initiatives and reinforcing its commitment to improving global health outcomes by providing life-saving medicines to those who need them the most.

Lauding the achievement as a dual opportunity for the company to extend its reach and serve the needy, Saransh Chaudhary, President, Global Critical Care, Venus Remedies, said, “Our association with the PAHO is a monumental step in our mission to deliver high-quality, innovative oncology products to those in dire need. Further, securing the tender with UNICEF reflects our relentless pursuit of excellence and our commitment to improving health outcomes worldwide. Building on such prestigious orders, we will also continue to strengthen our international presence.”

Having exported pharmaceuticals worth about US $16 billion in the financial year 2023-2024, India is the world’s largest provider of generic drugs. In terms of volumes, Indian drugs comprised 20 percent of the global generic drug exports. Venus Remedies is playing a key role in this export market, contributing to India’s growing influence, particularly in the global oncology sector.

Ms. Aditi K. Chaudhary, President, International Business, Venus Remedies, said these tenders are a significant endorsement of the company’s vision to provide accessible, high-quality healthcare solutions. “This much-coveted endorsement from UNICEF is a significant prospect for Venus’ mission of contributing towards global health. Moreover, association with PAHO reinforces our position as an important player in the global oncology market and underscores our commitment to catering to the Latin American region, which is facing critical challenges in cancer care,” she said.

With over 25 international GMP approvals and 800+ marketing authorizations worldwide, Venus Remedies is rapidly emerging as a frontrunner in the pharmaceutical industry. Having a presence in 90+ countries, the company is poised to become a global leader in the pharma space.

News

BFI and UNICEF join hands to Strengthen Public Health Through Collaborative Problem-Solving

Jun 11, 2024 by Mansi Praharaj 0 Comments #BFI, #IDFS, #Mr. Sandeep Nailwal, #State Health Resource, #UHC, #UNICEF

11 th June 2024, Bangalore: Blockchain for Impact (BFI) and UNICEF have joined hands to support the Government of India achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through strengthening health systems and focus on community-based primary health care. In this partnership, USD 2.1 million will be reprogrammed to align with two transformative projects. This will contribute to the realization of the rights to life and health of all children, especially the most disadvantaged. The partnership MoU was signed by Sandeep Nailwal, Founder, of BFI, and Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF Representative to India, in Delhi.

sandeep

 This two-year partnership, using human-centric design principles and grassroots-driven solutions, will focus on supporting pregnant women, newborns, and children, including adolescents, especially the most vulnerable, to have equitable access, and utilize gender-responsive quality health services and adopt healthy behaviors.

 This will be done by strengthening the State Health Resource Center in Meghalaya towards building the state’s capability to address complex public health challenges, making the health systems more accountable, reliable, and equitable. This systematic, evidence-based process of investing in human- centered primary health care at the district level, will promote health and well-being through Quality health care services based on people-centered solutions and approaches; Multisectoral policies and plans; and Participation of communities.

 Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Sandeep Nailwal, Founder, of Blockchain For Impact, said, “BFI, in partnership with UNICEF, is revolutionizing philanthropy by adopting Human-Centered Design (HCD) to tackle complex public health challenges. Instead of traditional solution-centric methods, we focus on problem-centric strategies that address the real needs of communities and service providers. By building on the unique challenges and experiences at the district level, we create health interventions that are not only innovative but also scalable and sustainable. This shift leads to practical, impactful solutions, fostering better health outcomes and building stronger, more resilient communities.”

 The partnership will also establish a pan-India health and climate resilience fellowship to bolster state and ground partner capacity across seven states in devising local solutions using human-centric design principles. The primary focus of this partnership – ‘The India Health Fellowship Program’ is to provide comprehensive technical support to the public health systems at both state and district levels. Through a holistic approach encompassing human-centered design (HCD) principles and systems thinking, the program aims to empower health departments with the tools and methodologies necessary for effective problem-solving. In addition to capacity building and mentorship, the partnership facilitates exposure visits for stakeholders at various levels. With this strategic collaboration across the seven states of India, the partnership will aim to fortify health systems by addressing critical gaps, fostering accountability,
and enhancing resilience.

 The USD 2.1 million will be reprogrammed to align with these two transformative projects. This strategic alliance, operating within the India District Full Stack Fund (IDFS) vertical of BFI, signifies a pivotal moment in advancing public health strengthening and collaborative problem-solving.

Education

Orchids The International School Delhi NCR Campuses Celebrate its Annual Day!

Mar 5, 2024 by Mansi Praharaj 0 Comments #Annual Day, #Delhi-NCR, #Dr. Gagan Gupta, #Gurugram, #Orchids International School, #UNICEF

Gurugram 5 March 2024: Orchids The International School celebrated its Annual Day, ‘ECLAT EXTRAVAGANZA’ at its Delhi NCR campuses. The event showcased academic achievements, cultural richness, and creative exploration. The festivities at the Sector 113 campus commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, graced by the esteemed presence of Chief Guest Dr. Gagan Gupta, Senior Health Specialist, UNICEF, along with the School Principal, Ms. Divya Dhirendra, and Ms. Sudha Rajamohan, VP-Academics, Orchids The International School, creating a memorable evening for students and parents alike.

annual day celebration

Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest-Dr. Gagan Gupta, Senior Health Specialist, UNICEF praised the management for organizing such a wonderful event. The students of all the classes participated in various items like dance, fancy dress, and many others. A pivotal moment of the evening was the presentation of awards and recognitions to students who demonstrated excellence in Academics, Dance, Music, Theatre, and Oration, showcasing their dedication and talent. The recipients and their families were filled with pride as their achievements were celebrated on this prestigious platform. The event reached its crescendo with a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all contributors who made the Annual Day Celebration a resounding success.

In addition, Orchids The International-NBC Sonipat campus also celebrated its Annual Function, themed around ‘Incredible India and Alice in Jungle Land’. With an overwhelming turnout of over 1800 parents, the event transformed into a truly unforgettable experience. The fusion of “Incredible India” and “Alice in Jungle Land” themes mesmerized the audience, offering a kaleidoscope of cultural diversity and imaginative exploration. The performances were captivating, the decorations visually stunning, making every moment a testament to the school’s commitment to holistic education and creative expression.

Ms. Sudha Rajamohan, VP-Academics, Orchids The International School reflected on the school’s achievements and insights from the annual report for the academic session 2023-24. She expressed gratitude to the dedicated teachers and supportive parents, emphasizing the pride in the students’ accomplishments. Ms. Rajamohan said, “We are committed to nurturing each student’s growth and development, and Orchids The International School extends its gratitude to all participants, collaborators, and supporters for contributing to the success of our Annual Day events.”

As Orchids The International School continues its journey of nurturing young minds and fostering excellence, it looks forward to many more such enriching experiences for its students in the future.

News

Micron Foundation Partners With UNICEF and Local Nonprofits to Empower Underrepresented Children in India

Jan 13, 2024 by Sujata Muguda 0 Comments #Inc. (NASDAQ: MU), #Micron Technology, #Sanjay Mehrotra, #UNICEF, #YuWaah

Bangalore, January 13, 2024 — Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) today announced a key partnership between the Micron Foundation and UNICEF India aiming to build interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for children from rural and low-income communities. The Micron Foundation’s $408,000 USD grant will fund UNICEF programs focused on strengthening systemic approaches to fostering STEM learning and 21st-century skills for vulnerable children and youth in Karnataka and Telangana, with a special focus on supporting girls.

With this support, UNICEF will partner with schools across Karnataka and Telangana to improve Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) and set up low-cost makerspaces in schools to increase girls’ engagement with STEM education. The grant will help UNICEF strengthen ATLs by providing some of the funding necessary to build capacity and support for teachers, engage with volunteers to mentor students, and organize knowledge-sharing and workshops to expand girls’ access to STEM education. By supporting UNICEF in its makerspace efforts in Telangana and Karnataka, the Micron Foundation will help create a customized design of low-cost makerspaces, enabling UNICEF to reach 20,000+ students in the two states by March 2025.

UNICEF will also enhance their Passport to Earning (P2E) platform, allowing girls and other marginalized groups in India to expand their access to key 21st-century skills, helping to ready them for success in the modern world. The Micron Foundation’s funding will help UNICEF increase P2E’s outreach to vulnerable groups in India, in part by translating and contextualizing courses into additional languages to help expand access to traditionally underserved youth.

Micron Foundation Partners With UNICEF and Local Nonprofits

The partnership announced today bolsters Micron’s long-term commitments in India. The company and the Micron Foundation both aim to deepen their community impact as Micron’s operational footprint in India continues to grow, following the June 2023 announcement of Micron’s plans to build India’s first semiconductor assembly and test facility for memory and storage with an initial investment of $800 million.

“UNICEF’s work will help to provide access to STEM and 21st-century skills for vulnerable children and youth, especially girls, and encourage them to pursue STEM education and careers,” said Micron Technology President and CEO, and Chairman of the Micron Foundation, Sanjay Mehrotra. “Micron’s innovations touch the lives of nearly every human being on the planet, and we feel a sense of responsibility to invest in our people and our communities.”

“UNICEF works to improve education opportunities in India, and Micron’s partnership with them exemplifies our commitment to long-term impact in the communities where we live and work,” said Micron Managing Director in India Anand Ramamoorthy.

“Young people have highlighted in several consultations how 21st-century skills are critical for their future,” said Chief of YuWaah (Generation Unlimited in India) at UNICEF Dhuwarakha Sriram. “Together with Micron, UNICEF is harnessing the power of technology and forging public-private-youth partnerships to strengthen the skilling ecosystem for young people to realize their full potential. Our partnership marks a pivotal step towards equipping young people, particularly the most marginalized and girls, with access to 21st-century skills and learning pathways through the Passport to Earning (P2E) initiative. This will also equip them with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about their lives and livelihoods.”

Expanding access to education and opportunities through additional regional partnerships

In addition to the partnership with UNICEF, over the last several months, the Micron Foundation has invested in other nonprofits across India to expand access to education and critical life skills. These investments include:

Business

Xylem Partners with UNICEF to Create a Brighter Future for 3.4 Million Children in India’s Most Vulnerable Communities

Dec 17, 2021 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Nicolas Osbert, #Nitin Bhate, #social responsibility, #UNICEF, #water technology company Xylem Inc, #Xylem, #Xylem Watermark

Xylem Watermark, the corporate social responsibility program of global water technology company Xylem Inc. (NYSE:XYL), aims to reach over 3.4 million children by end of 2023 through its support of UNICEF, the world’s leading organization for children. Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the partnership seeks to improve awareness of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in India’s most vulnerable communities, with a focus on strengthening WASH protocols in schools and pre-schools, known as Anganwadi centres.

Currently, 25% of children in India experience high water vulnerability, and half of all schools lack adequate hand washing facilities.[1] Water poverty is worse in rural communities and among pre-school children, where one in every three children lack access to basic water service and more than a quarter of children (26%) are without toilet facilities. UNICEF’s WASH program, formed in partnership with the Indian government, centres on 15 states and 192 districts. The program provides technical support to the government and mobilizes partners to build WASH facilities and strengthen hygiene practices, which are inherently linked to child growth, development, school attendance and learning outcomes. Xylem Watermark’s funding will enable UNICEF to reach more children through their WASH in schools and pre-school programs, ultimately preventing disease and supporting long-term behavioural change.

“Availability and access to safe water and sanitation are fundamental to improving the health and well-being of millions of Indians,” said Austin Alexander, Vice President of Sustainability and Social Impact at Xylem. “As part of our work to solve water challenges around the world, we are pleased to support UNICEF in India to accelerate progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals of water and sanitation access for all. In doing so, we hope to create a brighter future for communities across India.”

“We are proud to be associated with this remarkable program to help make India water-secure,” said Nitin Bhate, Managing Director of Xylem India. “This builds on Xylem’s work to provide our customers across India with innovative solutions to water challenges, and on our broader efforts to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation for vulnerable communities through Xylem Watermark.”

UNICEF’s WASH interventions in 2021-2023 are expected to help increase the provision of gender-sensitive WASH facilities in rural schools. The program will also support the government in implementing WASH standards in pre-schools and increase the number of UNICEF-supported states with COVID-19 sensitive WASH program plans, and menstrual health and hygiene action plans.

“We’re excited to partner with Xylem Watermark who will be investing in improving services and practices that fulfil a child’s right to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), notably in their learning environment, more so when it’s crucial to bring them back to schools safely amid COVID-19,” said Nicolas Osbert, Chief of WASH at UNICEF India. “UNICEF remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring equitable access of WASH through cost-effective interventions within 45,000+ schools across India. Not only could this partnership benefit more than 3 million children, but it contributes to achieving the global SDG-6, where the private sector’s contribution is pivotal.”

In 2020, Xylem committed to supporting UNICEF’s COVID-19 relief efforts, helping to reduce human-to-human transmission of COVID-19 by promoting handwashing and personal hygiene practices. The global collaboration was successful in reaching over 3.3 million people with messaging on COVID-19 prevention measures, with over 117,000 benefitting from critical WASH supplies. Additional support included providing healthcare workers with personal protective equipment and training on infection prevention and control measures, and the development of a knowledge management hub for global WASH practitioners.

With UNICEF’s work in 190 countries and territories, the expanded partnership will continue to contribute to achieving Xylem’s 2025 sustainability goals, including commitments to education and disaster-response, and progress towards SDG 6. For more information on UNICEF India and its programs,

Education, News

Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan collaborates with UNICEF and CCDRR Centre, NIDM

Aug 5, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #Director and Principal, #Dr. Vandana Sharma said, #Emergency Specialist Disaster Reduction Section, #MBCN School, #Shri Sarabjit Singh Sahota, #UNICEF

Noida: Mata Bhagwanti Chadha Niketan (MBCN), a charitable school for special children that works under the aegis of Ponty Chadha Foundation (PCF) in collaboration with CCDRR Centre, National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), and UNICEF India conducted a webinar on “Covid-19: Divyang Children & Challenges of Learning” on Tuesday. The two-hour session focused on innovative ways by which MBCN experts and teachers bridged the unavoidable technological and learning gap that special children faced due to COVID19 lockdown. The speakers comprised Professor Santosh Kumar (Project Director, CCDRR, NIDM), Ms. Subha Goswami (Vice Principal, MBCN School), and Dr. Richa Vats (Senior Manager, Project Development, MBCN School). The webinar was organised under the guidance of Shri Sarabjit Singh Sahota (Emergency Specialist Disaster Reduction Section, UNICEF) and Dr. Vandana Sharma (Director and Principal, MBCN School). Maj Gen M. K. Bindal (Executive Director, NIDM) was the patron of the webinar and the webinar was moderated by Dr. Kumar Raka (Program Officer, CCDRR, NIDM) that witnessed around 600 audiences in attendance.

Shri Sarabjit Singh Sahota, Emergency Specialist Disaster Reduction Section, UNICEF said, “COVID crisis has effected a multidimensional impact on the society. It has exposed inequalities, disproportionately impacted school going children and more so students with physical, learning, neurodevelopmental, and cognitive disabilities. There was lack of arrangements of teaching aids like Braille and sign language experts during COVID lockdown and self-confidence developed through peer and teacher interaction took a set-back.”

The session also reflected on how regular learning program was impacted and the growth trajectory threatened reversal. Technological challenges further exacerbated the learning crisis.

Speaking on the webinar, Dr. Vandana Sharma said, Director and Principal, MBCN School said, “Vulnerability increases in the face of a disaster and it is more pertinent in the case of people with special needs. All rescue communities, therefore, need to be disabled-friendly and better trained for disability-inclusive disaster risk management. There are 21 major disabilities and rescue teams should have mandatory training around these disabilities so that they are better equipped to handle the emergencies.”

The webinar further delved into the innovative ways in which the educators and therapists engineered highly individualised and customised learning programs for each child during the lockdown. The speakers shared their experiences while adopting an ‘out-of-box’ approach in ensuring the regularity of the learning curriculum for each child. They spoke about teachers leveraging interactive online learning tools, training technologically challenged parents to virtually hand-hold the children through the curriculum, and applying a variety of learning mediums to provide experiential learning to kids virtually. They also shared their special initiatives that encouraged the special children to become a very significant channel in raising awareness around COVID19 protocol in society.

MBCN is an educational cornerstone in providing holistic ground for the well-rounded development of children with special needs. It provides rehabilitation services and support towards mental health, skill development, and behaviour management. Their rehabilitation services include early intervention, Speech therapy, Special education, Sports training, Physiotherapy, Yoga Therapy, Occupational therapy, Counselling, and Vocational training. Since its inception, more than 25000 kids have passed out with flying colors from the institute and are now living a dignified and well-deserved life of self-dependency.

Business World

Actor, Social Advocate Nandita Das to address FLO members

Nov 19, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #‘Listen to Her, #FLO members, #Nandita Das, #South Asia Foundation, #UN Women, #UNESCO, #UNFPA, #UNICEF, #Usharani Manne

Actress, Activist Nandita Das to address FLO members in a first physical meeting in so many months in the city on 23rd November.

For its first ground event post-lock down, Nandita Das to address members on “An Unequal World – The Uncomfortable Truth of Discrimination”.

Giving details in a press note issued in the city today, Usharani Manne, Chairperson of FLO Hyderabad said, “ as the world is embracing and mastering the new normal, FLO is looking forward to hosting our members for a ground event, our first after our virtual Change of Guard in May 2020. We will be adhering to strict Covid-protocols for the safety of our attendees.”

Nandita Das, an actress who has 40 plus films in over 10 languages to her credit has a good following among the many.

A Jury member of the Cannes Film Festival twice, the 51 years old Nandita wears many hats. She is an activist, working for children’s rights, HIV/AIDS awareness and violence against women. She is a TED Speaker and has spoken at many platforms within India and abroad.

In May this year, Nandita wrote, directed and acted in a short film ‘Listen to Her.’ The 7min film, produced by NDI and supported by UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women and South Asia Foundation, addressed the topic of increase in domestic violence and overburden of work faced by women during the lockdown.

Proceeding the speaker session, a formal Change of Guard of the new FLO team headed by Usharani Manne, Chairperson, will be conducted. The virtual change of guard took place in May. Since then FLO has been organising all the meetings virtually.

Business World

On Independence Day WICCI National Life Skills Council sets in motion its Vision and Mission for the Women of India, releases blueprint for awareness, knowledge sharing & policy creation

Aug 16, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Dr. Kuilieit Uppaal, #Dr. Uppaal, #National Business Chamber for Women, #UNESCO and WHO, #UNICEF, #WICCI National President, #Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI)

Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI)- India’s First National Business Chamber for Women is all set to build and provide policy inputs to the stakeholders including the government for enhancing life skills for women across all levels, profiles and sectors.

On the occasion of India’s 74th Independence Day today, the WICCI- National Life Skills Council set in motion its vision and mission with policy creation as one of its top priorities.

“Evolving times usher evolving methodologies and solutions, and thus we need to create novel ways of enhancing life skills with a view to robustly encourage and empower women in business, industry and commerce across all sectors and fields. The Council shall build well researched and legit policies in the area, and suggest the acceptance and implementation of the same to the Government of India, for woman empowerment and a better-conditioned society,” said Dr. Kuilieit Uppaal, WICCI National President – Life Skills while releasing the Vision and Mission of the Council today.

Highlighting the Vision, she said, “We need to create a powerful and enriching eco-system of life skills for the nation that builds the psychosocial, interpersonal and affective capacity of an individual in multiple areas to develop coping mechanisms and self-management skills that can effectively combat challenges, and help individuals evolve towards self- empowerment and success as professionals in business, industry and commerce across all sectors and fields.”

Life skills are the abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life to address a balance of three areas- knowledge, attitude and skills. The skills of knowing and living with oneself, with others, as well as the ability to explore, rationalise and establish effective behavioural iterations for oneself is imperative for evolution and productivity.

The WICCI National Council for Life Skills endeavours to operate and create well-defined policies, systems and processes, as well as engage with the population, in conjunction with the globally recognised concepts of Life Skills and their pertinence and applicability for Indian culture and progressive thought in the current dynamism.

Awareness of the concept of Life Skills, Research & Development, Skill Interventions and Knowledge Dissemination, Opportunities for Enhancement of Life Skills across Domains, Community Network, Exchange Programs, and Policy Creation are integral components of WICCI’s Life Skill Mission.

Dr. Uppaal said that the Council would work on mission mode now. UNICEF, UNESCO and WHO have listed ten core life skills that include problem-solving, critical thinking, effective communication skills, decision-making, creative thinking, interpersonal relationship skills, self-awareness building skills, empathy, and coping with stress and emotions. “The Council will work towards creating the awareness and relevance of the skills among professionals and aspiring professionals across sectors,” she added.

The Council also plans to engage with business units, entrepreneurship institutions, start-up incubators, corporate houses, higher education establishments and other groups across domains to familiarise and disseminate life skills training through specially devised Life Skill Centres and Circles of Excellence to work toward balancing knowledge, skills and attitude. Moreover, the Council will explore opportunities to engage with groups and organisations that need assistance for knowledge sharing.

The Council firmly believes that knowledge grows multi-fold when the expanse of knowledge givers is unlimited and vibrant. Hence, the Council shall work towards the creation of a network of experts and practitioners in the area of life skills and related domains.

“Community engagement is critical for successful implementation of life skill programmes. We shall create ways to engage with the community at various levels in person or digitally. We also plan to aid direct learning and facilitation and thus effectively engage with the population as ‘friends of hope and resolve’, where there is scope for the community to openly share their feelings, feel a sense of belonging and mutually strengthen each other within the group,” Dr. Uppaal elaborated.

Along with Policy Creation, the Council would focus on encouraging and facilitating knowledge sharing within the states of India, at the national level and a global level with all possible means and modes. The main objective would be to equip the knowledge base for a better-prepared society.