Tej Kohli Foundation Salutes a Year of Charity


VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwire - Dec 30, 2011) - The Tej Kohli Foundation celebrated the close of 2011 with a retrospective of their life-changing charitable works in India, Costa Rica and throughout the World.

Founded in 2005, the Tej Kohli Foundation is an autonomous non-profit organization run by Mr. Kohli -- a successful Internet and real estate entrepreneur who chooses to give back to society through large-scale projects and initiatives.

The Foundation began 2011 with a visit to village of Rewari, where NGOs and social workers met Vijay Pal whose decades-long blindness was ended with the assistance of the Tej Kohli Foundation's corneal mission.

Vijaypal had been living in darkness, caused by loss of vision for 45 years prior to seeking help from the Foundation. The surgery improved Vijaypal's vision by 75 percent in one eye. The cost of the surgery and his stay in the hospital came to Rs 30,000, which was entirely funded by the Tej Kohli Foundation.

"Tej Kohli Foundation is grateful to have brought attention to India's suffering throughout the year, and we're dedicated to continue to improve the lives of the underprivileged," Mr. Kohli said. "Apart from the corneal transplant program, in 2012 the Tej Kohli Foundation will focus its attention on five other key areas in India: Education for under-privileged children, nutrition for impoverished children, vocational training for people with disabilities, and rural health care and empowerment for women."

On Feb. 18, 2011, Tej Kohli Foundation volunteers and doctors organized an event for more than 120 under-privileged children, senior citizens and women. A team of doctors from the Ahooja Eye and Dental Clinic in Gurgaon, which is associated with Tej Kohli Foundation, conducted an eye and dental health camp at this event. Dr Hitendra Ahooja, a renowned ophthalmologist, led the team.

On Feb. 27, the Tej Kohli Foundation amassed thousands of Gurgaon residents for the Walk-A-Thon, co-organized by the Tej Kohli Foundation, Niramaya Eye Bank and the Run for Vision Foundation in Gurgaon. Supported by the attendance of 1500 individuals, the Foundation spread awareness and within the first two months of the year, 32 eye donations had already taken place.

In September 2011, organized conjointly by the Niramya Charitable Trust, Tej Kohli Foundation and the Run for Vision Foundation, the first annual Gurgaon Carnival underlined the significance of colors in life and realized the plight of those who cannot see them. Covering a 4 km stretch, the event attracted thousands of people who enjoyed street DJs, rock band performances, magic shows, western and folk dance performances, celebrity presence, clowns, jugglers, fire throwers, and animal rides while raising awareness of the impact of eye donation.

The Tej Kohli Foundation rounded out the year with its annual Costa Rica charity event. Each year, the FundaKohli builds upon its tradition of serving healthy meals to children and expectant mothers by expanding its reach. Last year's efforts brought nutritious meals to 250 children and 25 expectant mothers under the age of 18 at the Church in Los Guido.

FundaKohli S.A. also contributes to the lives of disadvantaged children throughout the year with donations of necessary items for hygiene such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and soap.

The Foundation extended its activities to India in 2010, starting with the corneal transplant program that is aimed at bringing light into the lives of thousands of blind people and is planning on more events in 2012 to raise awareness about the importance of eye donation.

Contact Information:

Kevin Mercuri