New Delhi : India on Tuesday categorically refuted news reports that the Pakistani philanthropic organisation, Edhi Foundation, has declined to accept the donation of Rs one crore announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Replying to questions at a Press conference, the spokes-person of the External Aff-airs Ministry, Vikas Swarup, clarified, “The Bilquis Foundation has gratefully accepted the Prime Minister’s offer. The donation was committed to Bilquis Bano and the offer was made clearly. We have recently spoken to Bilquis Bibi and she has said that she has gratefully accepted the PM’s offer of Rs one crore. “
Till late on Tuesday even-ing, news reports with Islamabad dateline said that Bilquis Edhi, the co-founder of the humanitarian foundation, had turned down the offer with thanks stating that its rules do not allow any donations from government funds. The Daily Jung and Geo TV flashed news with headlines, “Bilquis Edhi tells Modi, thanks but no thanks” The reports said that Edhi Foundation’s stand on this matter was spelt out at a Press conference in Karachi where Sattar Edhi’s son Faisal Edhi thanked the Indian Prime Minister and clarified that taking funds from governments was against the foundation’s policy. They would be very pleased if the Indian Prime Minister spent the money for the welfare of speech and hearing impaired citizens in India.
On Monday, Mr Modi had announced a contribution of Rs 10 million for the Edhi Foundation. Modi had tweeted, “I don’t think words are enough to thank the Edhi family for taking care of Gita. They are apostles of kindness and compassion. What the Edhi family has done is too priceless to be measured but I am happy to announce a contribution of Rs 10 million for their foundation.’’ The Edhi Foundaton was started by Bilquis’ India born husband Abdul Sattar Edhi in 1951. In the same breath, the External Affairs Ministry announced that Geeta has flown to Indore in Madhya Pradesh and in a special gesture, the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Mr Thawar Chand Gehlot, the minister responsible for rehabilitation, has personally escorted her to Indore. “We believe that this is in the best interest of Gita.
