Page 55 - AmericasMart: Market Magazine July 2017

A GLOBAL CONSCIENCE
Surya is not an enormous company; but the home décor enterprise is having a huge impact on the lives of children
by providing hot, nutritious meals to school kids in rural India. Last year, the company donated $100,000 to Akshaya Patra in addition to its significant support of several other philanthropic endeavors.
Founded by former business executives who wanted to apply their energy and skills to do something good for the world,
this charity believes that education will help children rise from poverty. Millions of underprivileged children in India do not attend school and are forced into child labor. By serving more than 1.3 million children perhaps their only meal of the day, Akshaya Patra, the world’s largest NGO-operated mid-day meal program, encourages students to attend and stay in school so they will thrive as adults.
“It’s part of the DNA of our company to give back,” says Surya President Satya Tiwari. “I want to help, but I also want to make sure the money we donate is not sitting in someone’s bank account.” He not only personally knows the charity’s executives, he points to its 4-star Charity Navigator rating—the highest award available to non-profits, which earn the distinction by spending less than 10 percent of income on administrative expenses. Tiwari says that organizations like Charity Navigator are a great resource for anyone who wants to check out the validity of an organization.
Beyond his belief in the power of Akshaya Patra, Tiwari identifies with the children it serves. He was born in a tiny Indian village
of 15 households and lived there until he was 10 years old.
Their family had no running water or plumbing, but their lives took a different turn when a chance encounter in north India between a buyer from Federated Group and his father led to the creation of Surya Rugs. Ten years later his father established the U.S. division of the company and appointed Tiwari president in 2006. Under his leadership, the company has thrived, being named
to the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest growing privately held companies for five consecutive years. Based in White, Ga.,
it has now expanded its offerings into fashion-forward
home accessories.
“Today’s consumers want to do business with companies that are socially conscious,” says Tiwari. “We operate a for-profit business, but have a purpose and passion for serving our customers and the community. A lot of businesses today forget that. It’s not just about writing a check, it’s about making that money multiply.” Educating a generation of students in Tiwari’s homeland is one way Surya is accomplishing that objective one meal at a time.
For more information: Bears for Humanity – 312.685.8866, bearsforhumanity.com; The Shine Project – 801.870.6177, theshineproject.com; and Surya – 706.625.4823, surya.com.
Images courtesy of Bears for Humanity, The Shine Project and Surya
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