A University of Birmingham academic is raising money to support underprivileged schools in India.

Professor Indrajit Ray, from the University of Birmingham’s School of Economics is the Chairman of Vidyapith, a Birmingham based charity that awards grants to fund facilities and services that will improve educational provision for children and young students in need, particularly in rural West Bengal. 

Over the past four years, the charity has awarded grants to 34 different schools and organisations in 9 districts in West Bengal. Funds for the charity have been raised through donations from individuals.

At the Sarada Vidyapith, a school in Sonarpur, near Kolkata, Vidyapith provided funds for the purchase of new blackboards, tables and chairs for the students.

The charity also provided money to Goghat Bhagabati Balika Vidyalaya, a rural girls’ school in Hooghly district, to enable them build new classrooms.

Professor Ray says: “Education is the key to the progress of a society; we simply bring together the endeavours of our donors who care for the development of the disadvantaged in India.”

On Sunday 07 June, 2009, a group of ophthalmologists from the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, will be playing cricket to raise money for Vidyapith. The venue for this sporting event is King Edwards School, Edgbaston, (South Fields).

Those interested in donating or sponsoring any part of the event may contact Mr. Yajati Ghosh on 07747011659.

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For further media information, contact Anietie Isong, International Press Officer, University of Birmingham, Tel 01214147863/e-mail: a.isong@bham.ac.uk