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RELIANCE LIFE INSURANCE, ICC AND ROOM TO READ LAUNCH BOUNDARIES FOR BOOKS CAMPAIGN TO ‘HIT ILLITERACY FOR A SIX’

 

Reliance Life Insurance will contribute Rs. 25,000 to Room to Read for every six hit in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 under the ‘Boundaries for Books’ campaign

Every single six will provide at least 30 underserved children with access to fully functional libraries with local language and English books as well as trained teachers

India captain, M.S. Dhoni, leading World Cup stars, including new Room to Read Ambassadors, Shane Watson and Angelo Mathews, as well as other top Indian cricketers, back campaign

Reliance Life Insurance has joined hands with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Room to Read – a global non‐profit organization committed to promoting literacy and gender equality in education, to launch the ‘Boundaries for Books’ campaign.

Reliance Life Insurance, in a first‐of‐its‐kind initiative ‐ 'Boundaries for Books' ‐ will contribute Rs. 25,000 for every six hit during the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. This donation will be made to Room to Read, towards establishing libraries and providing local language and English books to underserved children across India. Every single six will ensure that at least 30 children get access to fully functional libraries with books and trained teachers, thereby catalyzing a long‐term revolution amongst young minds that will lead the future of India.

Cricket fans and the public in general will have the opportunity to contribute to this fight against illiteracy, through convenient payment gateways, details of which will be announced shortly.

The announcement, which builds on the ICC’s partnership with Room to Read that was unveiled last week, has received the support of a number of high profile players. These include Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews and Australia’s Shane Watson, who have become the first cricketers to become global Room to Read Ambassadors, while the likes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Dale Steyn have all recorded promotional messages for the ‘Boundaries for Books’ campaign.

“Reliance Life Insurance is delighted to launch the ‘Boundaries for Books’ campaign in association with ICC and Room to Read to hit illiteracy for a six. Introducing the minds of disadvantaged young children to the enchanting world of books and the learnings they will get from that rare experience is a joy and privilege for us,” said Amitabh Jhunjhunwala, Vice‐Chairman, Reliance Capital Ltd.

India captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who along with the other 14 members of India’s ICC Cricket World Cup squad have recorded promotional messages for Room to Read, added: “The ‘Boundaries for Books’ campaign is an opportunity for all of India to get involved and bring their love of their country and love of cricket together for the betterment of our children. If every six I hit will allow children to access books and libraries, then there is no better inspiration for me to play my best!”

John Wood, Room to Read Founder and Board Chair stated, “It is a matter of great pride that prominent organisations like Reliance Life Insurance and the International Cricket Council are partnering with us to combat the significant challenge of illiteracy. These organisations are investing their resources in building awareness and making a change. Room to Read is honoured to be a part of this campaign and looks to all cricket fans to play a role in ensuring that the next generation can build their futures on the foundations of a quality education.”

Australia all‐rounder and Room to Read Ambassador, Shane Watson said, “I am honoured to be associated with Room to Read and the ‘Boundaries for Books’ campaign during this year’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. I first got into reading when I was about eighteen, and I now realize how important it is for everybody to have the opportunity to have access to books. Room to Read is making reading a reality for millions of children – as they say ‘World Change Starts with Educated Children’– and I am committed to helping this organization reach as many children as they possibly can.”

Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka all‐rounder and Room to Read Ambassador said, “From the time the tsunami hit Sri Lanka, Room to Read has been with our children, ensuring quality education programs across the country. As an ambassador of this cause, I ask each of you to get involved and do what you can to make sure that the next generation is empowered with an education.”