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AT&T India Supports Parikrma Humanity Foundation to Provide Quality Education to Children in India

Posted on: Monday, 22 December 2008, 09:49 CST

BANGALORE, India, Dec. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T India has announced a contribution of US$25,000 (INR12,43,250) to Parikrma Humanity Foundation (Parikrma) to provide quality education to under-served children in India.

Founded in 2003, Parikrma is dedicated to improving the lives of under-served children in urban India by providing top-class English education, nutrition (Three meals a day), comprehensive health care and family care. Parikrma has set up four Centres for Learning in Bangalore that provide the program to 996 children coming from 28 slum communities and six orphanages. AT&T India's contribution will be used to support the salaries, benefits and training of ten teachers across these Centres. The training program for the teachers aims to enhance teaching and other classroom management skills that will help children compete equally because they will receive a better education.

"AT&T India is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives," said Gopi Gopinath, chairman and chief executive officer of AT&T Global Network Services India. "AT&T India is fully committed to the Indian market. Parikrma is an admirable project that gives real opportunities to Indian children who cannot easily help themselves. We are deeply honored to contribute to the Indian community and help underprivileged children. AT&T India employees and their families are devoting two weekends a month to engage the children in different activities like sports, cultural initiatives, excursion trips, and other educational interactions. The personal satisfaction and enrichment that the employees and their families are gaining through these volunteering undertakings is invaluable."

"Our aim at Parikrma is simple. Anyone should be able to compete equally for the best jobs. Unfortunately in India the majority of children have access only to sub-standard, vernacular education, excluding millions of children from the mainstream" said Shukla Bose, Founder-CEO of Parikrma. "We want to create a model where even the poorest can get the best education that will help break their cycle of poverty. We are delighted to have AT&T India supporting us by providing much needed funds for the very core of our program -- our teachers. Their sustained training is what will make our program successful."

Gopinath officiated at a donation ceremony in Bangalore on 12 December 2008 and presented the INR12,43,250 cheque to Shukla Bose, Founder-CEO of Parikrma.

About Parikrma Humanity Foundation

Parikrma Humanity Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to unleash the potential of under-served children in urban India. Parikrma manages Centres for Learning that provide a high quality, 360 degree development program that give these children the tools to compete on equal terms. Parikrma manages the Circle of Life(TM) of these children -- Education (ICSE English), Nutrition (3 meals), Healthcare (Comprehensive) and Family Care. The fact that these children love to come to school is proven by the consistent record of 97% attendance and less than 1% drop out. Parikrma was awarded the 2004 Derozio Award for Excellence in Education and Human Enrichment by the ICSE Board.

Parikrma has 4 Centres for Learning (Koramangala, Sahakarangar, Jayanagar and Nandhini Layout) that care for 996 children coming from 28 slum communities and 6 orphanages. For more information on Parikrma log on to http://www.parikrmafoundation.org.

About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T supports projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2007, AT&T contributed more than US $164 million through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs. AT&T and the AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T, combine more than US$1.9 billion of historic charitable commitment to communities across the country.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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