27 October 2007

Ujjivan Welcomes Dutch Royal Family

During their trip to Bangalore on October 27th, 2007, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix and Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands visited the offices of Ujjivan Financial Services.

The Royal Family’s visit to Ujjivan included a presentation on its unique holistic approach to urban microfinance and Parinaam’s Microfinance+ Program. Parinaam leverages Ujjivan’s existing customer distribution structure for delivering healthcare, vocational training & entrepreneurship development, education, and community development, which includes access to potable water.

Her Majesty and Their Royal Highnesses closely interacted with Ujjivan customers, the poor working women of Bangalore, who had come to Ujjivan’s Jakkasandra Branch to receive their loans.

Princess Máxima was a member of the Advisors Group for the United Nations International Year of Microcredit 2005 and The Prince of Orange is the Chairman to the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Water Supply and Sanitation. Their visit to Ujjivan was part of a wider itinerary to explore the links between various initiatives for poverty alleviation. Prior to visiting Ujjivan, a seminar was held on Water and Microfinance hosted by the Dutch Embassy in New Delhi under the leadership of the Prince of Orange.

Her Majesty Queen Beatrix and Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands interact with Ujjivan Customers

The Royal Family listens to a presentation on Ujjivan given by Samit Ghosh

Samit Ghosh presents Her Majesty Queen Beatrix and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands with a scroll painting made by the Patuas of West Bengal

The Royal family listens to an explanation of the origins of the scrolls

Her Majesty Queen Beatrix is greeted by Elaine Ghosh, Executive Director of Parinaam Foundation

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