The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has approved registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act for the American India Foundation Trust, allowing it to accept overseas donations for its programs.
This month, the ministry also issued FCRA approvals to Baba Bageshwar Dham, a spiritual group headed by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri from Madhya Pradesh, the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation linked to the ex-Indian cricket player, and the Sri Palmozhi Amman Sri Nallur Mathar Sri Varadharaja Perumal Trust.
The foundation’s website explains that it originated after the 2001 earthquake in Bhuj, Gujarat, when a group of people in the US came together to provide aid and build lasting support for affected areas and other underprivileged groups in India.
With encouragement from former US President Bill Clinton and former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the organization aimed to foster civic ties between the world’s two biggest democracies. Operating on principles of giving, community involvement, and mission-driven work, the nonprofit has grown to influence more than 21 million lives since starting.
