Funds for neem project

My mission, Greening of India With Neem, has been a great success in Maharashtra, thanks largely to the participation of Prakash Thosre, former director of social forestry. There were 64 neem awareness functions in 32 days, covering 31 districts of the state in which 10,394 participants were educated on the value of neem. They included farmers, members of eco clubs, students, youth and women’s groups as well as NGOs (nongovernmental organizations). Many had been totally ignorant about the uses of neem as a pesticide, fertilizer, mosquito and cockroach repellent and for tick control.

Audiences were amazed when I spoke of my successful program of creating neem awareness in Kenya for 16 years under the shady trees in villages. Neem is valued as gold in Kenya where a single leaf is sold for Rs 10, a viable seed for Re 1 and a seedling for Rs 100. Through our mission we were able to generate income for the poor and needy by harvesting neem seeds and selling neem products. Since 1993 I have worked on a voluntary basis as Global 500 Laureate of UNDEP to spread awareness on the properties of neem.

Maharashtra is a gold mine for neem and I am determined to see people benefit from it. I have requested the chief minister of the state to introduce me to donors to cover the expenses of my Greening of India project 2010-2011. My budget works out to Rs 2,50,000 per year to cover the cost of four international trips between UK and India, travel insurance cover for each trip of 45 days, domestic travel in India and my stay in Bombay. Every year I shall be in India for six months to extend my services at the grassroot level and will be stationed in Bombay.

I also request readers to send me donations for the neem project in India. Donations in Indian rupees may be sent to me at: Perin S. Fitter, C/o Nergish Z. Govekar, 10 Balachandra Nivas, 178/A Balachandra Road, near Laud Clinic, Hindu Colony, Dadar (East), Bombay 400014. Tel: 9819881322, e-mail: nergishgovekar@yahoo.co.in Donors from outside India may send donations to me at: 18 Mary Herbert Street, Cheylesmore, Coventry CV3 5ER, UK or e-mail me at the address of my sister at mehru.fitter@btinternet.com

PERIN S. FITTER

Coventry, UK