Google.org announces grant funding of Rs 54 million for three Indian non-profits

PUNE: Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, has announced grant funding of Rs 54 million (US$800,000) for three Indian non-profit organisations. The grant will be used towards using technology to create more access and opportunity for people living with disabilities. The recipients include the Ratnanhidi Charitable Trust, Leprosy Mission Trust India and Public Health Foundation India.

The grants are the result of the global Google Impact Challenge for disabilities an initiative to invest US$20 million in non-profits that are using emerging technologies to increase independence for disabled people. NGOs from around the world were invited to submit ideas that would make a real, positive impact for people living with disabilities.

“Innovative technologies are already helping to improve everyday life for people living with disabilities. Through these grants, we want to empower organizations to build impactful solutions that will create better access for people living with disabilities in India,” said Rajan Anandan, Vice President and Managing Director, Google India and Southeast Asia.

The Ratnanhidi Charitable Trust will use the grant to provide improved access to a well-fitting artificial leg through the use of 3D scanning and printing technologies. The Leprosy Mission Trust India will establish a facility to create high-quality, customized, protective footwear for people with leprosy using 3D technologies. The Public Health Foundation India will develop a mobile app for village healthcare workers to rapidly and reliably assess eligibility for government disability benefits.

The announcement was made at TechShare India, a conference on accessibility and inclusion, in New Delhi. Globally, Google.org has donated over $100 million in grants and $1 billion in technology resources in 2015 alone.