We are delighted to be back with the latest issue of our magazine, Insieme, and to share lots of fantastic news about our activities in India.

Let’s start with something truly incredible — a real miracle! One of the places where CARE TO ACTION operates is Prem Niketan, a shelter in Vijayawada that houses 30 girls and young women with various disabilities. One of these girls is Annapurna, who suffers from mental retardation, hyperactivity, and paralysis of the lower body due to tuberculosis. She is now able to walk, feed herself, and attend classes. The care provided by the nuns who run the facility with such love, as well as the affection of her companions, has undoubtedly helped Annapurna in her recovery. However, it must be recognised that her marked improvement is mainly attributable to a team of specialists made available to the residents of the home by CARE TO ACTION. Yoga, psychotherapy and regular medical check-ups all contribute to ensuring the well-being, personal empowerment and increased self-esteem of these young women.

Further positive developments have emerged from the Future of India project, which is supported by the Commission for International Adoptions (CAI) and is now in its final stages. The project has worked in areas marked by poverty, high illiteracy rates, and widespread issues such as school dropouts, child labour, early marriages, and alcohol and drug abuse.

Now, let’s talk about the Christmas campaign, which we have decided to call ‘Crescere Insieme’ (Growing Together) this year. This fundraiser will benefit 1,330 children from eight public schools in the slums of Vijayawada. We aim to continue providing educational activities, nutritional support, and children’s rights awareness. You can choose to place solidarity gifts under the Christmas tree that will have a big impact, such as panettone, savoury boxes containing rice and dried porcini mushrooms, and last but not least, the icing on the cake: a special edition Magnum of Organic Prosecco signed by none other than Kabir Bedi.
Our Global Ambassador, whom many will remember for his role as Sandokan, was the star of a special day at the Viticoltori Ponte winery, one of Italy’s most important wineries. It was here, in the spotlight of the local press, that this important collaboration was born: bottles of excellent Prosecco signed by a cinema legend. It’s basically the perfect gift for your festive celebrations!

In this issue of Insieme, you will find an interview with Carlo Pizzati, a well-known journalist for La Repubblica and La Stampa, as well as a long-standing friend of Care to Action, whom we hope to welcome to our operating areas soon. In these pages, Pizzati considers the challenges India will face in the coming years, primarily environmental issues, but also politics. In three years’ time, President Narendra Modi’s long ‘reign’ will come to an end — this is currently his third term — and what will then become of India?

It is with this journalist, who hails from Valdagno in the province of Vicenza, that the second season of Espresso Indiano, CARE TO ACTION’s podcast, has begun. On this long journey to discover India, we will talk about women, politics and economics, as well as yoga and literature, with people who have made the Indian subcontinent their passion and their profession.

Enjoy the read!