Manila, Philippines, Nov 11 (UNI) The world famous 'Jaipur Foot' - made by Rajasthan-based Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti - is all set to hit headlines when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the Philippines for the ensuing ASEAN-India and East Asia Summits.
Besides diplomatic engagements, including high-profile bilateral meetings on the sidelines, besides
a possible between Mr Modi and the US President Donald Trump, Mr Modi will meet members of the Indian community at a reception to be hosted by Indian envoy in the Philippines.
The Prime Minister will also visit the International Rice Research Institute and the Mahavir Philippines Foundation Inc.
"The International Rice Research Institute which is in a place called Los Banos near Manila, is a leading institute of global repute. Through Scientific Research and Development, it has developed better quality of rice seed and helped the global community, including Indian scientists, in addressing issues of food security. A large number of Indian scientists are working in IRRI," a statement from the MEA said here.
The institute will also soon set up its South Asian Regional Centre in Varanasi. This will be the first center outside Philippines.
The Mahavir Philippines Foundation is an associate centre of Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti based in Jaipur, which famous for "Jaipur Foot.”
The philanthropic organisation, which has been set up by eminent Filipinos and Indian expat community, has distributed free "Jaipur Foot” to needy amputees.
"Our Prime Minister’s will visit this to demonstrate our India’s support to this very important charitable activity. Since its establishment, this particular foundation has fitted nearly 15,000 amputees in the Philippines with the Jaipur Foot making them capable of living a new life," Secretary East in MEA, Preeti Saran said in Delhi.
It will be not the first time that 'Jaipur foot' and the makers would come into focus.
In 2014, the Prime Minister had lauded the efforts of the Jaipur-based organisation, for holding a special camp at Srinagar in Kashmir Valley to provide artificial limbs and other aids to 1,300 people, who have lost their limbs.
Mr Modi will also participate in a special celebration to mark the 50th year of ASEAN.
"ASEAN is central to India’s Act East Policy, therefore our Prime Minister’s participation in the ASEAN India Summit and the East Asia Summit, provides a very important opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the partnership," Ms Saran has said.
'Jaipur Foot' specializes in offering to the users equipment that looks like a normal limb and is also
waterproof.
The 'foot' may be worn with or without shoes and the normal life is about three years.
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