Rustam Minnikhanov: Contest “Benefactor of the year” has become an important event in life of the Republic of Tatarstan

The Republican contest “Benefactor of the year” has become an important event in life of the Republic of Tatarstan, President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov said at the official ceremony of awarding the winners of Republican contest for title «Benefactor of 2011».

The event was held in M.Jalil Tatar academic state opera and ballet theatre with participation of first RT President, State Counselor of RT Mintimer Shaimiev, representatives of RT ministries and agencies, chiefs of municipal regions, heads of large industrial enterprises, directors of nursing homes, social orphanages, orphan children, and families with adopted children.

This year the ceremony of summarizing results of the contest “Benefactor of the year” was held for the fifth time. Rustam Minnikhanov reminded that in 2007 Mintimer Shaimiev initiated revival of the idea of charity.

Within the last few years benefactors have done many good deeds. High-quality wheelchairs, hearing devices, medicines were provided for disabled children. The following actions were held in republic – “Help a child”, “Kind terminal”. By and large, 16 mln. and 320 thousand roubles were collected. Due to the action “Help to prepare for school” more than 13 mln roubles were collected in 2011, 24 thousand children from large and low-income families were prepared for school.

The older generation was also taken into consideration, especially veterans of Great Patriotic War, single and aged people, widows of veterans. 13 thousand elderly people have passed training in the context of the project “Computer literacy campaign”. The project “Internet-longevity” aimed at teaching pensioners the basics of computer literacy started in 2012 by initiative of the regional branch of RF Union of pensioners on RT.

Republican benefactors are actively involved in restoration of cultural monuments, revival of the old town of Bulgar and island-town Sviyazhsk. “All these deeds speak about spiritual maturity of our citizens,” Rustam Minnikhanov said.

President of Tatarstan reminded that 2012 was announced the Year of historical-cultural heritage. “Preservation of architectural and cultural monuments will ensure touristic attractiveness of Tatarstan and guarantee our economic and political achievements,” he said.

Head of republic reminded about the tragedy of “Bulgaria” motor boat in July, 2011 which left no one indifferent. Due to fund-raising more than 54 mln roubles entered the foundation “To shipwreck victims”. A considerable amount of funds were directed to support orphan children, and single eledrely people.

The winners in the nomination “For long-term partnership were ”JSC Tatneft, OOO “Gasprom-Transgas -Kazan”, JSC “KAMAZ”, JSC “Nizhnekamskneftehim”, “Tatenergo”.

JSC “Kazan helicopters plant”, JSC “KMPO”, group of companies “TAIF”, “Northwest main oil lines”, bank group “Zenit”, Volga branch of “Megafon” company, JSC “Tattelekom”, GKB “Avtogradbank”, JSC “Setevaya company”, JSC “Alekseevskdorstroy” have become winners in the nomination “Sponsor of good deeds”.

Rustam Minnikhanov granted diplomas to the winners.