As per Bain’s India Philanthropy Report 2017, there has been a significant growth in the number of individual philanthropists and the amount of funds that has been contributed has grown six fold in the last five years. The total amount that was contributed back to the community from these philanthropists totaled to around Rs. 36,000 crore in the year 2016 [Source].
Across India the health-care sector suffers from overcrowding, overworked staff, failing equipment, sub-standard hygiene, in rural areas the doctor to patients’ ratio is as bad as 75000 to 1. Picture this, when a primary health-care centre in a village cannot adequately sustain a patient’s life, then the patient is sent to a university hospital in the region. This means that hospital will be receiving patients from as many as 10 or more other areas with outstretched primary health-care centres. And unfortunately when the university hospital can no longer manage the patient load, the same emergency care patients are then dispatched to larger, urban hospitals, most of which are as far away as the other state. Meanwhile the state-government has failed to provide meaningful health-care to the poor.
Though there are many hospitals that provide treatment for a menace like Cancer but the entire treatment is an expensive affair. A single sitting of chemotherapy costs about Rs. 90,000, a full-fledged cancer treatments runs into lakhs of rupees. What makes the matters worse is availing any kind of treatment for the poor is a challenge. They either face shortage of quality care, or shortage of money or often are deprived from timely care. [Source]
Many of these philanthropists are contributing to the cause of education and health-care, either through self-funded NGO’s or by participating in various CSR activities. There was a definitive need for an affordable approach to cancer treatment, especially for the Bottom Of the Pyramid market. A solution to this problem could only be realized, if the solution from a person who has passion, commitment and willingness to solve the same. In a distinctive initiative, Bengaluru based leading businessman Mr. Vijay Tata and his wife Mrs. Amrita Tata celebrated their daughter’s birthday in a memorable way for many. They announced the launch of their dream project, NEW INDIA – a self funded NGO, and gifted Rs 200 crores towards building of cashless cancer care hospital for underprivileged.
Actor Emraan Hashmi graced the occasion with his presence. The unique attribute about NEW INDIA is that it is self funded and it won’t accept funds from anyone. The couple has been sheltering 40 kids for 6 years and the dream got bigger to give back to society, which gave birth to NEW INDIA.
New India solemnly commits itself to the fight against cancer by ensuring to take strong steps in making sure that cancer treatment and care is available to all the needy and poor for free. Because with Cancer what kills faster is the cost associated to it. NEW INDIA already has earned itself a 50-acre land worth Rs. 100 crores [#VijayTataDontates100cr] that will be the foundation on which a cancer hospital for the underprivileged will be built.
NEW INDIA – A nonprofit organization will be completely self funded by Mr Vijay Tata & Mrs Amrita Tata and will focus on creating a new hope for the betterment of underprivileged. It aims to cater women, children, critical illness and stop-rape initiative to bring justice to rape victims and help them resurrect their lives. As the first initiative by NEW INDIA, it has already pledged 50 acres of land worth Rs 100 crores in Attibele-Anekal Road, Bangalore to the trust. Additional Rs 100 crores will be used towards construction of the super-specialty cancer care hospital. All underprivileged cancer patients from across India will be treated completely free of charge. This will be the first cashless hospital across India.
Inaugurating the NGO, Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi said
I have very closely seen the pain which cancer patients and their family goes through. NEW INDIA’s initiative to create new hope for poor cancer patients is worth appreciating and I am glad that individuals like Mr. Vijay Tata and Mrs Amrita Tata are coming forward to take this novel step.
On this development, Mr. Vijay Tata said
A small step can transform into a milestone and development is always bottom-up. Our Honorable PM’s vision on healthcare for all inspired me. Our major thrust today is to work for improving the life of our people who are below poverty line. The need of the hour is to give proper guidance and free timely treatment to them. NEW INDIA is a national movement and underprivileged cancer patients across India will be treated free of cost. We are sure that this cashless cancer hospital will be able to pull down the agony of these people up-to a certain extent at-least on the monetary side. A Nation’s progress lies in its ability to provide health and care to its people. A healthy India is our aim.
Mrs Amrita Tata said
To make a difference, one has to be the difference. Many people want to work on these lines but we are fortunate enough to execute this initiative on my daughter’s birthday. We want to give it back to the society and we have already taken the first step. NEW INDIA wishes to provide a holistic care and solution for cancer patients, which include free treatment and after care. We will also be aggressively working towards other social causes for women and children.
The entire hospital will be of 150 beds and will be completed in different phases. The initial phase will be ready by December 2018. It will be state of the art infrastructure with renowned oncologists and consultants on board. Entire hospital project will be designed by a UK based Architect and Engineering firm, BDP, formerly known as Building Design Partnership. It’s a firm of architects and engineers employing over 900 staff in the UK and internationally. Entire project from planning to execution will be executed by BDP.
This project is founded by Vijay Tata and Amrita Tata, leading entrepreneurs from Bangalore who are on a mission to make a difference and touch lives through NEW INDIA and its underlying movements. This NGO aims to be working together with partners and local communities in various part of India at grass root level to understand the key issues and work in best possible way to eradicate or minimize the cause. The NGO is open for collaboration with local NGO’s and volunteers across India to make this a mass movement. Though the organization is self-funded but it seeks the support of our fellow Indians to spread the message, support our cause and volunteer in the New India Movement.
About NEW INDIA
NEW INDIA, is a self-funded NGO that is founded by two entrepreneurial and compassionate beings, viz. Vijay Tata and Amrita Tata. The NGO is a manifestation of their vision to give back to the society and the country that has given them the opportunity to dream and flourish. New India, found its root and meaning in the belief of Vijay and Amrita that we can definitely make India a country that is invincible and a beautiful haven.