Ambassador's remarks on the Handing Over Ceremony of 950 sewing machines to the Angel of Hope Foundation on 30 AUGUST 2022
Thank you the Director of Ceremonies,
Excellency Madam First Lady, Dr. Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa,
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
All Protocols Observed
I am very pleased to be here to hand-over 950 sewing machines from the Government of India to the Angel of Hope Foundation. During his visit in the month of June 2022, Shri V. Muraleedharan, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, had gifted one sample sewing machine to Hon’ble First Lady as the consignment was getting ready for dispatch from India.
The gifting of the sewing machines is a recognition of the remarkable philanthropic work that is being done by the Angel of Hope Foundation under the patronage of the Hon’ble First Lady. Madam First Lady, who is also the Health and Child Care Ambassador of Zimbabwe, is working tirelessly to improve the lot of the less privileged – especially the women and girls - and I am sure the consignment of sewing machines will give a further boost to the efforts of the Angel of Hope Foundation in this direction. Madam First Lady’s efforts are geared towards promoting not just health, hygiene and wellbeing, but also values, morality and integrity based approach to life. All of these are very much needed in today’s world. Her tremendous work is being recognized far and wide. The welfare of society is not just the task of one individual or one organization, but that of all others who can must contribute.
The sewing machines will certainly empower the women and make them financially independent and bread-winners for the family. When we empower the women, we empower the entire family. I will repeat the oft-quoted remark that “give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” I hope the sewing machine and the skill training that is provided by the Angel of Hope Foundation will have the effect of supporting the families over a long period of time.
Madam First Lady is also playing an important role in promoting strong bilateral ties between India and Zimbabwe. She had visited India in the month of May this year. She held meetings with concerned organizations in India inter alia to promote ties in health, education, environment, tourist and agriculture sectors. India and Zimbabwe have strong ties in all these areas which are dear to the Hon’ble First Lady. In the field of healthcare, India has donated medicines, including in the fight against Covid and Tuberculosis, worth about US$ 2 million in the past two years, as also ambulances, and Covaxin vaccines. The robust cooperation in the education sector, sees a number of students go to study in India every year, both self-funded and on ICCR scholarships. We also provide technical training through the ITEC (India Technical and Economic Cooperation) programs. In the areas of development partnership, various projects being undertaken through lines of credit of US$ 468.1 million extended during the visit of Hon’ble Vice President of India, are at various stages of implementation. In the field of agriculture, India has extended financial assistance of US$ 1 million from the India-UN Development Partnership Fund for climate-resilient agriculture in the districts of Chiredzi and Mangwe which is expected to benefit over 5000 farmers. India has also donated 1000 MT of rice two years ago. Agriculture equipment are also being sourced by Zimbabwe from India for the Presidential Rural Development Schemes.
Friends, we certainly need to do a lot more – both to harness the untapped potential of India-Zimbabwe bilateral relationship as also to support the vulnerable communities through service projects. I once again would like to commend Excellency First Lady and the Angel of Hope Foundation for doing a yeoman’s service to mankind and being a beacon of hope. I hope the gifting of the sewing machines will help stitch a chapter of enhanced India-Zimbabwe relationship.
Thank you.
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