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A
successful concept for emerging African countries -
with many different applications Indian Tourism
Board and Relief Riders International Join Forces
to Promote Voluntourism and Decrease Blindness in
India 18 Sep 2006/
eTN- A growing number of foreign tourists are
coming to visit "Incredible India." Recent
statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism show
that 2,486,117 visitors have come to India in the
first seven months of 2006. That's a jump of more
than 300,000 travelers over the same period last
year. Already
significant numbers of travelers are drawn by
India's eco-travel opportunities as well as its
cultural, historical, and spiritual appeal. India's
Ministry of Tourism in partnership with Relief
Riders International, (RRI) are highlighting
another important travel option, VolunTourism to
India. A rapidly growing new sector in
international travel, VolunTourism combines
exciting travel opportunities with volunteer
services. VolunTourism enables visitors to
contribute towards the improvement of communities
in need and to help protect their environment. More
importantly, VolunTourism gives travelers the
opportunity to interact and make deep connections
with the people they visit. According to
Venkatesan Dhattareyan, Director of India Tourism:
"The wonderful thing about VolunTourism is that it
not only brings new visitors to our very incredible
India but that they help us make India a better
place. We have so much to give each other. Even
though we are different, we come
together." Relief Riders
International, founded in 2002 and recently
featured in the July 24, 2006 issue of Forbes
Magazine, has pioneered VolunTourism in India.
Offering small group expeditions across the state
of Rajasthan, participating travelers deliver much
needed medical and educational supplies to remote
villages while experiencing India's rich culture
and traditions. RRI's adventuresome groups travel
from village to village riding on India's famous
Marwari horses, or aboard jeep and camel caravans,
across India's gorgeous desert
landscapes. Working with the
Indian Red Cross and local expert doctors,
dentists, and nurses, they participate in all
aspects of setting up and running portable medical
camps. On average, an RRI expedition will deliver
medical care to some 2,500 villagers, and school
supplies to some 1,200 children. In addition to
its medical relief expeditions, RRI also
established the "Give A Goat" program. On every
trip to Rajasthan, RRI distributes goats free of
charge to approximately 60 below poverty level
families. For every tax-deductible donation of $65
to its "Give A Goat" program, RRI is able to
provide another family with a continuing supply of
milk. Earlier this
year, RRI 's founder and executive director,
Alexander Souri established the "Gift of Sight"
program and expanded the organization's medical
clinics to include cataract surgery. Cataracts are
responsible for 81% of blindness in India, and
there are an estimated 20,000 blind people living
in Rajasthan. Working with one of India's leading
eye surgeons, Dr. V.K. Gupta, RRI held its first
"Give The Gift of Sight" clinic at the Primary
Health Care Center in the village of Mehansar in
February. Some 575 villagers with eye problems were
screened on the first day of the eye clinic, and 87
qualified patients received sight-saving cataract
eye surgery. "Give The Gift of Sight," is also a
tax-exempt, non-profit program and donations of $65
or more underwrite the cost of life-changing eye
surgery. India's Ministry
of Tourism and RRI are exploring ways to promote
and expand "The Give the Gift of Sight" program in
Rajasthan. Together, they will launch a new
national fundraising campaign to expand RRI's
cataract eye surgery camps. In addition, they will
jointly work to create an innovative advertising
campaign to highlight the exciting new
opportunities for VolunTourism in
India. A For information
about the "Give the Gift of Sight" program:
http://www.reliefridersinternational.com/sight.htm
For information
about the "Give a Goat" program:
http://www.reliefridersinternational.com/goat.htm Media
Contact "Incredible
India" contact: Venkatesan Dhattareyan Tel.
212.5864901 e-mail dvenka@gmail.com
"Relief Riders
International Contact: Alexander Souri Tel:
413.329.5876 e-mail: info@reliefridersinternational.com |
