US-based FFE eyes rural areas in India

The FFE announced its latest project at a grand concert on June 18, writes Shalini Narang in California Diary.

Foundation For Excellence (FFE), a Silicon Valley based philanthropic organisation providing scholarships to meritorious and necessitous students in India for high school, engineering and medical education, announced its latest Adopt a Scholar programme at a grand fundraising concert on June 18, 2005 at the Flint Centre in Cupertino, California.

The programme of the evening started with a welcome address on the video by venture capitalist Prabhu Goel who founded FFE a decade back with an initial funding of $10 million. He briefly spoke about the success stories of children who have carved new frontiers for themselves and their families by attaining higher education and consequently good employment. The trendsetters of sorts are also role models in their communities encouraging by example others to imbibe the success model despite financial and social hardships.

The keenly awaited entertainment part of the show featuring Udit Narayan, Shreya Ghoshal, Prachee Shah, Ayub Patel and Aditya Narayan followed the sombre speech. While the singers regaled the 3000 plus audience with melodious renditions from new and old Bollywood movies, Prachee Shah presented beautifully choreographed kathak on songs from Pakizah to Devdas featuring the classical dance style.

The myriad medley ranging from Yeh Mera Prem Patr Padh kar to Piyu Bole, Piya Bole brought a thunderous response from the house. Shreya Ghosal entertained the audience not only with her signature offerings from Devdas and others, but also paid homage to Geeta Dutt classics by sonorously singing the unparallel and ever popular Ai Dil Mujhe Bata De.

Udit Narayan on his maiden trip to the west coast sang into the hearts of the audience with his renderings from Veer Zara, Lagaan and others. All the artists complemented the cause of FFE and thanked the audience for their support to the cause.

FFE was incepted by the husband-wife team of Prabhu and Poonam Goel to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the youth of India with their millions and mission. "We choose to fund higher academics with an initial goal to make a difference in the lives of 10,000 scholars in India." says Mr Goel.

Now the organisation is planning to expand its reach via the Adopt a Scholar programme. Venkatesh Shukla, President of FFE, says, "The foundation has disbursed more than $3.2 million in the last ten years to 7,300 students. Most of the contributions to the cause have been from high net worth individuals. Moving forwards, with the nouveau program we want the Indian Diaspora at large to get involved. The ambitious programme of No Scholar Left Behind is an attempt by the foundation to fund higher education of every underprivileged student in India by 2025."

The foundation is planning to open chapters in other regions in US with a strong Indo American presence. Currently, the foundation has chapters in California, New York and Mumbai. "Our plan is also to increase our focus on rural areas in India and to other streams of higher education like bachelors in education," says Vikram Modak, a FFE Director.

The foundation identifies students through a network of about 300 coordinators in the United States and 1,000 facilitators in India. The coordinators develop and implement the foundation's scholarship program and monitor the progress of the recipients. Each coordinator nominates up to four facilitators who outreach, identify, assist and mentor the students on their academic path.

Currently, about half of the beneficiaries of the program are from Tamil Nadu. Prabhu says, " More people in US with roots in northern India need to get involved in volunteering to expand the penetration of the foundation to other parts of India."

Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis and renewal is dependent on continuing academic excellence and financial need. The assistance by the foundation is directly paid to the institution in which the student is enrolled. The scholarship amount, in some cases, also covers hostel and food expenses, transportation, books, school uniforms and other related expenses.

"The average annual cost of supporting a student is $550 for a medical or an engineering degree. Other scholarships average at $120 per year. The FFE structure and base funding allows 100 per cent of the money given by donors to go directly to students in India," says Suresh A Sheshan, Executive Director, FFE.

The mesmerising musical medley finished just before midnight. The sold out show's long-term success would be via active and enthusiastic involvement of people towards the cause.