Mumbai, April 12, 2010
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has tied-up with Room to Read , a global organization which is dedicated towards promoting and enabling education in developing countries. With this partnership, IPL aims to support Room to Read's mission to transform the lives of millions of children by addressing literacy and gender equality in education. eBay India ( www.ebay.in ), India's leading eCommerce Marketplace, has partnered with Room to Read to power secure online donations through credit card, debit card & net banking.
"We are proud to announce our partnership with Room to Read. This partnership has provided us the opportunity to highlight the global challenge of illiteracy, which is very prevalent in our own country. It is estimated that by the year 2020 over 50% of the illiterate population of the world will live in India. IPL supports Room to Read in its mission to transform the lives of children across our country through a focus on literacy, so that they can thrive as successful citizens." said Mr. Lalit Modi, Chairman and Commissioner of IPL.
"We are thrilled that the Indian Premier League (IPL) has identified this cause and has come forward to support our mission. This tie-up will bring the issue of illiteracy to the forefront of the national consciousness and help create awareness about the solutions that we must implement to ensure that all children, regardless of gender or background, have access to enhanced educational opportunities. Room to Read is committed to tripling our investment in India over the next few years. By empowering children to read, we are providing a lifelong skill through which children can realize their fullest potential. " said Mr. Dinesh Shrestha, Co-founder (and at present the India Country Director) of Room to Read.
"eBay India Charity Fundraising has been supporting many Indian NGOs in their fundraising needs since 2005. NGOs can choose to auction celebrity memorabilia, collect online donations or sell merchandise to eBay India's 3 million users in India & 90 million users worldwide. eBay supports NGOs with promotion & waives its fees. We are pleased to extend the power of eCommerce to Room to Read's donation drive," said Ms. Deepa Thomas, Senior Manager-Pop Culture, eBay India.
Through this partnership, IPL will challenge viewers to recognize the gravity of the issues India faces around literacy and will promote Room to Read's work throughout the tournament - during games and in social media. With cricket lovers around the world united in this cause, IPL and Room to Read believe that they will catalyze a movement for change. Log onto www.ebay.in/ipl to donate.
Room to Read in India has a special focus on literacy and gender equality in education. The organization is working towards strengthening the government's efforts to meet its goal of universalizing quality elementary education for all children. Room to Read India currently supports over 2,000 girls on scholarship in India and cumulatively has funded over 5,500 years worth of girls' education in this country alone. In 2009, 96% of the girl scholars in Room to Read's Girls' Education program advanced to the next standard.
About Room to Read:
Room to Read is a global organization seeking to transform the lives of millions of children in the developing world through a focus on literacy and gender equality in education. Founded on the belief that ‘World Change Starts with Educated Children', Room to Read works in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and to ensure girls have the skills and support needed to complete their secondary education. Since 2000, Room to Read has impacted the lives of more than four million children by providing increased access to high-quality educational opportunities through its network of libraries and schools, local language children's books and its girls' education program. Room to Read is changing children's lives in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Zambia and aims to reach 10 million children by 2015. Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.
About the Indian Premier League:
In April 2008, Lalit Modi, Chairman and Commissioner, conceptualized the Indian Premier League (IPL) . Currently in its third edition, IPL has grown in popularity around the world with top corporate and bollywood celebrities associated with it . The IPL has made it to the fourth spot on the Forbes list of the world's hottest sporting properties worth $4.5 billion. Earlier this month, the two winning bids for new teams by Sahara for the Pune franchise and the Rendezvous Sports World consortium for the Kochi franchise generated nearly as much value ($703.33 million) for the league as the eight founding teams had cumulatively ($723.59 million) done during the first season of IPL in 2008.
About eBay India
eBay India ( www.eBay.in ), India's leading online marketplace, is India's biggest online trading community where anyone can sell or buy almost anything. eBay India is a trading platform offering auctions, fixed price and classifieds modes of person-to-person trading. There is a wide range of products listed on eBay India in an array of categories including Technology, Lifestyle, Collectibles and Media. eBay India is a 100% subsidiary of eBay Inc.
