Dubai-based Non-Resident Indian (NRI) entrepreneurs – Sudhakar R. Rao, Chairman and Prabhakar R. Rao, Managing Director of Gemini Group – today announced major financial support to the families of the 40 slain Indian soldiers who embraced martyrdom due to a deadly terrorist attack in Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir, India, on Thursday, February 14, that shook the conscience of millions of people across the world.

 

Sudhakar Rao, who is also the Founder Chairman of Gemini Global Hope Foundation – a charitable Non-Government Organization (NGO) – said, he will dedicate a portion of his organisation’s financial resources as a token of respect for the well-being of the bereaved families. The Group announces an immediate contribution of AED500,000 (equivalent of INR10 million) for the families of the martyred soldiers through the Government of India.

 

Welcoming the initiative, Honourable Indian Consul General Mr Vipul, said, “I am happy that Mr Sudhakar R. Rao, Chairman and Mr Prabhakar R. Rao, Managing Director of Gemini Group and Gemini Global Hope Foundation are coming forward to support the families of Pulwama martyrs. Our security forces keep us safe and secure and it’s our duty to support them in all possible ways.  “More than 40 CRPF personnel made the supreme sacrifice for India in Pulwama terror attack and it is important to now to do whatever we can for their families as our gratitude. We would encourage anyone wanting to make a contribution to route it through Ministry of Home Affairs website www.bharatkeveer.in.”

 

Founded in 1986 by Mr. Sudhakar Raghvendra Rao, the group was originally started as Sievert Group, specialising in technical Testing and Inspection before recently divesting that business to a French multinational giant.

 

Gemini group develops state-of-the-art yet affordable luxury properties across the region, adhering to highest standards of quality in design, technology and materials. It strives to build a reputation based on quality, efficiency, meticulous planning, top quality amenities, practical designs, timely completion and hand-over of projects.

 

“Today, I want to join hands with thousands of others who came forward to stand beside the families of the fallen heroes of our motherland in their hour of need. Today, we stand before you to express our deep condolences to the families of the victims and those who are recovering from deep wounds, and our strong support to the bereaved members of their families,” Mr Sudhakar R. Rao, Chairman of Gemini Group and Founder Chairman of Gemini Global Hope Foundation, said.

 

“The Pulwama attack have shaken our conscience and inspired us to unite against such acts of cowardice.

 

“We join the entire nation in our collective grief and condemn such cowardly act – on a day when the rest of the world celebrated affection and love. The incident happened at a time when we are promoting tolerance, peace and harmony in the UAE – a country that is known to be an oasis of peace and stability in the world.

 

“In this Year of Tolerance, let us pray for greater peace and harmony across the world and join hand to promote peace, so that no soldiers are attacked, no children become fatherless.

 

“Today I stand with my brother Prabhakar Rao in pledging my support to the families of the 40 martyred heroes of our country through the Gemini Global Hope Foundation – our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm.

 

“Going forward, we shall seek better ways to offer long-term financial support to the families. We also pray that the souls of the Braveheart’s rest in peace.”

 

Mr Sudhakar R. Rao founded his business in energy sector more than three decades. Today he and his brother Prabhakar R. Rao are on a mission to support those who need it – through the Global Hope Foundation.

 

Prabhakar R. Rao, Managing Director of Gemini Property Developers, said, “We are full of anguish as well as anger after the Pulwama killings. While I salute to the heroes of our nation, my heart goes out to the families and their young children. It is their time of need and I want to stand by them along with my brother – to reduce their financial and other burden.

 

“In the UAE, we are inspired by the UAE’s compassionate leadership who created an environment of peace and stability where people from 190 countries live in peace and harmony.”