IndiGo, the finest low fare carrier in India to IndiGo, the finest airline in India, is bringing a smile to thousands of lesser-privileged children and families based across India by joining hands with leading NGOs such as Sankalp Welfare Society, CanKids, SOS Village, Akanksha Foundation and Deepalya. Starting 27th September to the 3rd of October, IndiGo employees are putting their best foot forward to help the ones in need and aim to bring joy to their lives with the help of special initiatives ranging from food drives, blood donation camps, cricket matches and educational workshops that are being conducted across multiple locations in India. On this announcement,Mr. Aditya Ghosh, President, IndiGo, said, We are extremely happy to join hands with Sankalp Welfare Society, CanKids, SOS Village, Akanksha and Deepalya, to make a difference in the lives of lesser privileged children and families. With the various initiatives that we have planned across the country, our aim is to bring joy to their lives and give back to the society. IndiGo is all about helping people cease opportunities wherever they may be IndiGo would like to help Reach them. Mr. Ghosh further added, "This initiative is really close to our heart and does not start or end with the Joy of giving Week. It will be an on-going initiative. I appeal to all our passengers and partners to participate actively. This is the festive season and what better way to celebrate than to make a difference in someone elses life. Ms Sudha Parthasarathy, Executive Director, Deepalaya,said, The partnership with Indigo helps Deepalaya give flight to the dreams of children from marginalized sections of the population. Deepalaya works with the socio economic challenged sections of society. By placing the Deepalaya pamphlets on its coaches, IndiGo is helping us reach out to a wider cross section of the population which is in a position to make a difference and further strengthen us in our efforts. Ms Sirisha Gadepalli,Fund Raising Manager, Akanksha Foundation said,Akanksha is excited to initiate this partnership with IndiGo, which presents us with a great opportunity to reach out to a large section of people that IndiGo caters to, especially in Mumbai and Pune. With IndiGos commitment to making a difference to society we look forward to many more exciting activities in future. Ms. Poonam Bagai, President, Cankids, said,We at Cankids earnestly believe that society stands to gain immensely through fostering and strengthening corporate-civil society partnerships through various community initiatives. We look forward to take this relationship forward. We would like to develop a partnership with IndiGo by engaging IndiGo employees to volunteer their time and resources for children affected from cancer. Ms. Aradhana Gupta, Joint CEO, Sankalp, said,This initiative will help us continue the mid-day meal that we are providing to all the children which will not increase their attendance and meet their nutritional requirements. We at Sankalp thank IndiGo for all the effort that has gone into this initiative. Various initiatives that IndiGo plans to undertake: September 27th - October 3rd, 2009 IndiGo will kick start the food drive with the help of Sankalp Welfare Society, in their Gurgaon and Delhi offices. There will be cartons put at these locations wherein employees will be encouraged to donate a packet of rice, porridge or cereals. IndiGo will be placing Smile with Akanksha Lunch Bags at the Check In counters at Mumbai & Pune Airports respectively. Any passengers interested to buy the same will have to purchase it for Rs 100. The proceeds will then go to the Akanksha Foundation. As a part of IndiGos Volunteers Employee Participation initiative, IndiGo employees would visit Deepalaya centre(s) and teach/coach/mentor children on multiple topics/subjects like Public Speaking, Confidence Building, Computers, other subjects etc. On 29th September, 2009, a blood donation camp was organized in IndiGos Gurgaon office which is being facilitated by AIIMS. On 1st of October, 2009, IndiGo employees along with a couple of ITQ employees will be playing a cricket match with around 25 children in the SOS Village in Guwahati. During this interaction the refreshments will be provided by IndiGo.