McDonald’s Blue Dot Initiative for the Education of the Girl-Child

[LTR] Anindya Mukerji [ex CEO of The Nalanda Foundation] with Ronald McDonald and Amit Jatia [JVP & MD, McDonald’s – Western India] at the launch of the McDonald’s Blue Dot initiative on Nov 12, 2002.

In November 2002, on occasion of the first World Children’s Week, McDonald’s in Western India joined hands with The Nalanda Foundation to support education of the girl-child. This association is for a period of 3 years and extends up to November 2005.

Why the Girl-Child?

Research shows that the even today, in India, the girl-child is always less favoured than a boy. Due to this, she is deprived of many benefits, which should rightfully be hers.

The Nalanda Foundation is working towards improving the situation of the Girl-Child by providing her with all the benefits and privileges that she deserves.

Through the money collected in 2002 with our fund-raising activities, we were able to help build an English Learning Resource Centre for the students of the Anjuman-I-Islam Girls’ High School in Bandra. The rest of the money has been used to start other educational programmes that will help in their development.

In 2003, the fund-raising activity had the McDonald’s French fries as the focus. From November 14 –20, for every medium and large fries sold – whether a la carte or as part of Value Meals – McDonald’s donated Re.1/- for the cause. Additionally, Ronald McDonald House Charities also contributed 4 lakh rupees for the McDonald’s – Blue Dot initiative.