WAHEEDA REHMAN TAKES UP THE CAUSE OF NEEM

Waheeda Rehman Takes Up The Cause Of Neem 

Mumbai: Yesteryear actress and unarguably one of the most graceful stars of all time, Waheeda Rehman will now be seen in a new avatar. Recently appointed as the brand ambassador of Neem Foundation, the yesteryear beauty will take up the promotion of neem.

“I was most awestruck by the potential of the neem tree. Not only on its ability to reverse pollution,

Waheeda Rehman with Pramila Thakkar

 but also play an important role in protecting and sustaining the environment,” says the septuagenarian actress.

Neem Foundation is a twenty three year old not-for-profit voluntary organisation that has been conducting research and inquiries on the benefits of neem. Established with the primary objective of promoting the Neem Tree as a sustainable solution for global ecological and health concerns, the foundation runs a state of the art research and technology development centre in Maharashtra and has been holding world neem conferences across the globe.

“It is now beyond argument that neem is a wonder tree. While its role as an organic fertilizer is universally acknowledged, the tree itself is a natural air purifier that can withstand high temperatures. Experts say that on a blistering hot day, the temperature under a neem tree can be up to 10 degrees lower than the surrounding area. Most experts also believe that the Neem tree is a sustainable solution to global ecological and health concerns,” says Ms. Pramila Thakkar, Managing Trustee, Neem Foundation.

“With Waheedaji as ambassador of Neem Foundation, our resolve of establishing the Neem tree as the sustainable way forward, ecologically and medically, has further strengthened. We thank her for joining us in this noble cause and agreeing to further entrench the foundation’s efforts at promoting Neem,” she adds.

“The Neem Foundation had been advocating the need for neem coated urea for quite some time and had been approaching all competent Government authorities to consider making it mandatory. The foundation had presented white papers at various levels that established the decision of producing 100 per cent neem coated urea would prove to work in favor of the Government as well as farmers. Eventually the Government realized the importance of taking this route and made it mandatory for fertilizer firms to do so. The decision will lead to subsidy savings of Rs. 6,500 crore annually. The move will help farmers boost their income and benefit the environment too,” says Ms. Thakkar. “We are positive that with a person of Waheedaji’s stature backing us, the Foundation will get the right kind of impetus to carry on its work with more fervor than ever.”

“In addition to being a wonder tree, Neem has its genetic base in India. It is a revered symbol of the Great Indian Civilization like the Ganga, Peacock, Tiger, Mango, Lotus, Himalayas and the Vedas. The Neem tree’s commercial, agricultural and therapeutic uses in India date back to the Vedic times. The various uses of this wonder tree are representative of traditional Indian knowledge and customary practices,” concludes Waheeda Rehman.

NEEM – A SINGLE SOLUTION TO A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Neem – A Single Solution To A Sustainable Future

·        Neem Foundation’s Constant Advocacy Has Brought About Many Changes In The National Agenda & Government Programs

·        Government Of India Has Permitted Fertilizer Firms To Produce 100 Per Cent Neem Coated Urea Which Will Help Farmers Boost Income And Reduce Subsidy Bill Up To Rs.6,500 Crore

·        Held Three World Neem Conferences That Helped Neem Get World Wide Acceptance

·      Consistent Research & Studies Helped Prove That Neem Is A Potential Source For Natural, Biodegradable And Safe Pesticides Par Excellence.

·        It Also Investigated Neem Tree’s Chemical Profiles, Pesticidal And Medicinal Properties, Its Potential As A Slow Release Fertilizer And Several Other Useful Traits Including Air Purifier.

Since 1993, the Neem Foundation has been striving to promote the Neem Tree as a sustainable solution to global ecological and health concerns. The foundation’s effort has resulted in a very recent and important development that is an equivalent to crossing a milestone in its journey in establishing Neem on a big scale. The government of India allowed fertilizer firms to produce 100 per cent neem coated urea which will help farmers boost income and reducing subsidy bill up to Rs.6,500 crore. The government has in fact made it mandatory to produce at least 75 per cent of urea domestic production neem based. To further provide impetus to utilize neem, the foundation will campaign a plantation of two crore Neem saplings along with petitioning for the Neem tree to be accorded the status of a ‘National Tree’ of India.

Neem Foundation is a forum for unifying global efforts to research and promote the use of the Neem tree and its derivatives in both natural and product forms. The Foundation is funded by the Government of India for implementing specific projects for the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Ministry of Agriculture, among others. The Foundation encourages Neem based enterprises and several renowned companies are associated with the Foundation through Corporate Membership. However, the Foundation has no commercial interests in any company or business and remains a not-for-profit forum for the cause of promoting of Neem.

On this backdrop, the Neem Foundation is embarking on some very grand plans and definitive programmes in the immediate future. For more information, kindly contact us.