Fine Art PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Fine Art PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

PROCEEDS FROM CHARITY AUCTION LED BY SUBODH GUPTA, BHARTI KHER AND SAFFRONART BENEFIT EASTERN INDIA FLOOD VICTIMS

PROCEEDS FROM CHARITY AUCTION LED BY SUBODH GUPTA, BHARTI KHER AND SAFFRONART BENEFIT EASTERN INDIA FLOOD VICTIMS

Rs 2.5 crores (USD 543,165) deployed to date by the NGOs SSVK and GOONJ to provide essential facilities for those affected by the flooding of the Kosi River

• Proceeds of Rs 2.5 crores (USD 543,165) from the Charity Auction held in November 2008 successfully deployed to provide immediate flood relief including potable water, food, warm clothing, shelter, fuel and medication, as well as long term rehabilitation like child care, housing and education facilities.

• The auction brought together 31 artists led by Subodh Gupta and Bharti Kher and was conducted on Saffronart’s online platform. The Trident (Gurgaon) and Nature Morte provided marketing and operational support.

• Proceeds were donated to two NGOs – Samajik Shaikshanik Vikas Kendra (SSVK) and GOONJ – to assist them in their relief efforts

• Artists make a concerted effort to use their art to benefit affected communities

Mumbai, November 13, 2009: Saffronart, the leading auctioneer of modern and contemporary Indian art and jewelry, announces the successful deployment of a majority of funds raised from the Flood Relief Charity Auction benefiting the victims of last year’s floods in Eastern India. The auction was organized in November 2008, by Subodh Gupta and Bharti Kher in association with Saffronart, Nature Morte and the Trident (Gurgaon). The proceeds were donated to the two NGOs Samajik Shaikshanik Vikas Kendra (SSVK) and GOONJ to fund and facilitate the care and rehabilitation of those affected by the flooding of the Kosi River.

Showing their support, 31 leading Indian artists including Subodh Gupta, Bharti Kher, Atul Dodiya, Jitish Kallat, Shilpa Gupta and Anju Dodiya came together and generously donated paintings, sculptures, photographs and installations to be auctioned by Saffronart. Over the last year, the two NGOs, SSVK and GOONJ, have successfully deployed the majority of funds raised from this auction to provide flood victims with essential facilities like food, shelter, fuel, medication and warm clothing, along with long term infrastructural facilities for child care, housing and education. Based on the deployment plans submitted by the NGOs, the funds were released in stages over the past year, with the remainder of funds raised to be deployed by March 31, 2010.

Expressing his gratitude, leading contemporary artist Subodh Gupta said, “All this would not have been possible without the generosity of the participating artists, and the support of our partners, Saffronart, the Trident and Nature Morte. We wanted to ensure that timely assistance was provided to the flood afflicted of Bihar and Orissa. The money we raised through this successful auction helped enable the NGOs to continue their work in Bihar and Orissa, providing support where it was most needed.”

Dinesh Vazirani, CEO and Co-Founder said, “The amount raised through the auction was deployed effectively by SSVK and GOONJ to fund essential facilities like safe drinking water, food, housing, medication and education for the thousands displaced by the flooding of the Kosi and Mahanadi rivers in eastern India.”

“As responsible corporate citizens, we strongly believe in giving back to the communities where we operate. This effort also illustrated the way in which artists can use art to give back to their own communities, validating the important social role art can play. On behalf of everyone associated with this auction, I’d like to thank the artists and bidders for their support, and for sharing our dedication to this cause. Saffronart will continue to look for opportunities to contribute to and support projects like these,” he added.

Speaking about the relief efforts, SSVK Founder Secretary Deepak Bharti said, “35 lakh people were displaced due to this catastrophe and 4 lakh people are still homeless. We are touched by the sincere interest and support offered by the Indian artists and the sponsors through this auction. This crucial and timely support made it possible for us to continue our efforts to help meet the immediate needs of those affected and enable them to return back to normalcy.”

GOONJ’s Founder/Director Anshu Gupta, said, “The magnitude of the floods was enormous, with experts claiming them to be the worst in the last fifty years. The encouraging response and generosity shown by all associated with the auction has had a significant impact on the improvement of the conditions in the flood afflicted areas of Bihar and Orissa.”

Tracked in their usage, the funds raised through this auction have resulted in real benefits on the ground to the people and communities who needed the rehabilitation the most. Each rupee committed was stretched as far as possible, with all the implementation being done by volunteers within the affected communities, and administration costs minimized.

This effort has also established two important precedents for philanthropy in India. First, that the infrastructure built was not just for immediate use, but also provided long-term benefits that will allow current and future generations of these communities to grow and prosper; and second, that art can play an important role in generating awareness of the need for and the implementation of philanthropy.

Details of the funds utilized by the NGOs are as follows:

SSVK
• Initiated health and child care centers in twelve villages.
• In February and March, 2009, community kitchen and dry ration coverage was extended to 1651 families in four villages for one month and 2616 families spread over 8 villages for one month period extending from May to June, 2009. (Dry and cooked food were served to a total of 6,21,000 beneficiaries in one month)
• Food and Fuel was purchased for the community kitchens.
• 24 instructors and teaching materials were provided to1952 children at 12 child care centers institutionalized by SSVK
• Extended medical assistance for flood induced diseases to a total of 11,351 patients spread across 12 villages
• Safe drinking water to 75 affected hamlets (approximately 75000 affected people benefited through the installation of 2 TATA Ph-6 hand pumps in each hamlet)
• Provision of working capital support for 500 families to initiate income generating activities (approximately 3000 family members benefited)
• Provision of 7000 blankets in November 2009 for flood affected families

GOONJ
• Acquired saris, woolen clothes, mats, lanterns and blankets for those affected by the flooding through ‘Rahat Floods’ and ‘Rahat Winters’ campaigns
• Implemented programs like ‘Cloth for Work’, ‘Mobile Medical Boat’ and ‘School to School’ reaching more than 175 remote villages with various kinds of relief material and other interventions
• Entered into partnerships with over 18 groups in Bihar and 3 groups in Orissa which included established voluntary organizations, young organizations, Gandhian groups, youth groups & Panchayat to provide relief material
• Started various initiatives and projects like Sujni, CHEHAK, VAAPSI which have helped many of the poorest affected by the devastating floods to get a new source of livelihood and income, besides basic amenities like clothing, education, medicines

For more details of the relief efforts carried out by the NGO’s, please visit:
• http://www.GOONJ.info
• http://www.638387.org/audio/anshu.asp
• www.ssvk.org
• SSVK Bihar Flood Relief Phase II Operational Report
• SSVK Bihar Flood Relief Interventation Report of Madhepura district Bihar

About Saffronart

A global company with deep Indian roots, Saffronart was founded in 2000 on the strength of a private passion. Remaining committed to this passion, today Saffronart is a strong and successful international business that both embraces and drives change.

A pioneer of online art auctions, Saffronart has set global pricing benchmarks and transformed the landscape of Modern and Contemporary Indian Art, making it accessible to connoisseurs and collectors around the world. Its robust online auction platform and secure technology offers a personal, intuitive and effortless bidding and buying experience for clients.

Saffronart’s inaugural online auction of Fine Jewels and Watches was held in October 2008, reinforcing the successful adaption of its interactive and transparent online platform to sales of high value jewelry and collectibles.

With its online presence, and offices in Mumbai, New York and London, Saffronart has broadened and simplified access to Indian art and jewelry. Responding to the needs of today’s collectors, Saffronart also offers such services as art advisory, private sales, appraisals and valuations, and specialized art storage.

For further details, please contact:

India: Punya Nagpal, Nishad Avari or Dhanashree Waiker
Tel: (91 22) 2432 2898 / 2436 4113 or Email: [email protected]
USA: Anu Nanavati Chaddha
Tel: (212) 627 5006 or Email: [email protected]
UK: Abha Housego
Tel: 44 (0) 20 7409 7974 or Email: [email protected]

Media Contact: Malika Bhavnani, CMCG India Pvt. Ltd.
Tel: (91-22) 24450991/2/3, (91) 9820496099 or [email protected]