The campaign shall take place on the 5th and 6th of August as an initiative to educate underprivileged girls.

Project Nanhi Kali was founded in 1996 by Mr. Anand Mahindra, the Chairman of the Mahindra Group, one of India’s top industrial houses. The genesis of this programme was his belief that educating women will not only contribute to the economy, but will also lead to the reduction of social evils like dowry and child marriage. Project Nanhi Kali has empowered more than 3,00,000 underprivileged girls across rural, tribal and urban regions in 14 states of India by providing them with academic and material support. It also mobilises communities to change their mind-set towards girl child education.

The project is now set to host the 4th season of ‘Proud Fathers for Daughters’. Post the Nirbhaya episode, a conversation between Mr. Anand Mahindra, and renowned photographer Atul Kasbekar on how the attitude towards girls can be changed, led to the conceptualisation of the “Proud Fathers For Daughters” event. This event celebrates the father-daughter bond and sends out a message that daughters are a source of pride. Atul Kasbekar along with leading photographers Colston Julian, Nisha Kutty, Jaideep Oberoi, Prasad Naik and Suresh Natarajan will come together to capture precious moments between father-daughter duos from all walks of life, to #EducateTheGirlChild. The registration fee of INR 6000 per photo shoot, will go towards educating underprivileged girls across India.

Speaking about Proud Fathers For Daughters, Anand Mahindra said, “As a proud father of two daughters, I believe that daughters should be given the same opportunities as sons in the family, and education is the first step towards empowering them.”

Passionately speaking about the event, Ace photographer Colston Julian said, “This will be my 3rd year at Proud Fathers For Daughters, in a row. For me PFFD is a fascinating study of relationships, of fathers and their baby daughters, of teenage daughters with their fathers, and of daughters with their elderly fathers. It is also my way of contributing towards the cause of Women’s Rights. I feel education is the best solution to many problems we face in India when it comes to women rights. Educating the girl child is of uttermost importance. My support to Project Nanhi Kali is the action to my thoughts, and I feel proud to be a part of this initiative.”

Photographer Atul Kasbekar speaking about the initiative stated, “Proud Fathers for Daughters is very close to my heart. There are a lot of economic and social barriers when it comes to education, particularly girls’ education. Through this initiative, we hope to eliminate illiteracy by raising funds for the Nanhi Kalis to pursue education and achieve their goals.”

In support of the cause, actress Sonakshi Sinha who shares a special bond with her father, actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha said, “As daughters we are always a little more special to our Fathers, than boys will ever be and I am truly thankful for that. My father’s support has been extremely important in shaping the kind of person I am. I have two brothers and my parents, especially my father never made me feel any less for being a girl.”

Many top celebrity father-daughter duo’s have extended their support to this initiative, including Anil Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Ridhima Kapoor, Javed Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar, Sachin Tendulkar and Sara Tendulkar, Leander Paes and Aiyana Paes, Arjun Rampal and his daughters Myra and Mahikaa, as well as Alyque Padamsee and his daughters Raell and Shazahn.

Project Nanhi Kali’s ‘Proud Fathers For Daughters’ campaign in the 4th season, aims to get fathers to express their love and pride for their daughters, and also educate many more underprivileged girls.

It will take place at the Mehboob Studios, Bandra on the 5th and 6th of August, between 10am and 5pm. You could also contribute to this unique initiative. Register online at http://donor.nanhikali.org/donatenowgf.aspx