The United Nation’s World Food Programme has organised an event of golf and music on May 18 to raise funds for its programmes in India. For the first time since the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) began in India, it has turned to the private sector to raise funds for it’s programmes in India, according to a release.
The WFP is the largest humanitarian aid agency in the world and the United Nations’ frontline agency in fighting malnutrition and hunger.
Beginning 1963, the WFP in collaboration with the Indian government, has worked to tackle the challenges of hunger, malnutrition and illiteracy. In 2006, it assisted over 2.8 million people in India, 80 per cent of whom were women and children.  Some of the vocal advocates of the WFP are Anoushka Shankar, Sean Connery and Muttiah Muralitharan.
Despite the growth of the private sector, India still houses one-fourth of the world’s hungry poor. The WFP is seeking to collaborate with the Indian private sector to persuade every Indian to be an active partner in the country’s growth story, states the release.
Golf for Hunger is an exclusive sporting event featuring premier golfers from across the country, key government officials and celebrities at the Bangalore Golf Club on May 18. The tournament will tee off at 8 am at the BGC and prizes will be announced at 1:15 pm.
The funds raised will be used to educate the public about the urgency of the situation and set off a long term relationship between India’s premier sporting activities and the WFP’s commitment to eradicate hunger and malnutrition in the country.
A benefit concert, featuring Bickram Ghosh, tabla player and lead musician of the fusion band Rythmscape at Chowdiah Memorial Hall will be held later the same day at 7 pm. For details contact: 98451-62986.