Area Covered
by the Trust

Objectives

Beneficiaries

Summary of
Planned Outlays

Donors to Date

Location
of the Trust

Where to
Send Funds

Background & History

Late Maj Gen KC Soni, PVSM, AVSM born on 11 Oct 1921 was commissioned in the Indian Army in Oct 1941 in Bengal Sappers. His wife Mrs Qamar Soni always wanted to do something for the weak, aged, widows, disabled, and the rural folk. Unfortunately she left this World before her dreams came true.

Roorkee was her first love due to a very close association developed during the service of Maj Gen KC Soni when he was Commandant of Bengal Sappers at Roorkee during early sixties. An elegant lady equally at home in a sophisticated society or with the humble and rustic villagers, she always cared for them with love and devotion and kept an open house where any and everyone was welcomed.

Her decision to become a farmer was accidental. In fact she always said it was destiny. A friend was asked to purchase a piece of land in Doon Valley, at village Jolly Grant near Doiwala. Agricultural experts declared it a waste land where nothing could grow. "After six months,you will be fed up picking the boulders like other 'Topawalas', go back to the city life; do not waste your time and effort" ,echoed the villagers of Jolly Grant. This challenge was her inspiration. Single-handedly, she converted this land into a fertile green field. Her example led to reclamation of hundreds of acres of such land and to Jolly Grant villagers she came to be known as "Lady with Legs of Stainless Steel." Unfortunately she was snatched by the cruel hands of fate when she was thinking of moving to Roorkee to do some thing for the needy.

Late Gen Soni decided to establish Soni Foundation Trust in the memory of his wife dedicating the sale proceeds of the land at village Jolly Grant.

The Trust came into being in Dec 1991 after obtaining Govt of India sanction for having two senior Army Officers as Trustees in ex-officio capacity for continuity sake.

Area Covered by Soni Foundation Trust

Soni Foundation Trust is a National NGO. It maintains its Registered Office in Roorkee, Uttaranchal, Distt Hardwar. Mrs Soni and Gen Soni, who established the trust were deeply attached to Roorkee and Dehradun. A number of ex-servicemen settled in Roorkee belong to the Bengal Sappers, a regiment with 20% composition from the Garhwal/Kumaon hills. Servicemen from various Garhwal and Kumaon Regiments are also settled in the environs of Roorkee.

Presently 3249 ex-servicemen from the hills are settled in Roorkee. It was in this light that Soni Foundation Trust started its pilot project on arid land at Tanshipur, Roorkee. Plans have been established for setting up branches in the Uttaranchal hills proper in the next phase once experience is gained from running the trust in Roorkee. In the third phase it will set up facilities in other States after it has covered Uttaranchal. Of course the added attraction was the proximity of an Army Centre at Roorkee. During expansion efforts, efforts will be made to locate the facilities near Cantonment areas for obvious reasons.

Objectives of Soni Foundation Trust

Major General KC Soni, PVSM, AVSM (Retired) conceived the idea of initiating and establishing in perpetuity, a fund, in the memory of his wife, the late Mrs Qamer Soni, for the welfare of war and other widows, orphans, disabled, aged, and needy persons.

Policy:

1. Establish vocational and educational facilities.
2. Conduct research, experimentation and development in Social Sciences, various trade skills and in particular the use of non-conventional sources of energy.
3. Inspire all to rise above themselves.
4. Provide extension services around Roorkee and hill areas.

Widows

1. Provide a temporary residence to widows and their children.
2. Provide training in vocations suited to their previous environment and capacity.
3. Instill a spirit of confidence in them.

Disabled

1. Provide a temporary residence.
2. Train them in vocation of their ability.
3. Instill in them a spirit of confidence.
4. Resettle them according to their talent and needs.
5. Make them dedicated citizens of India and take pride in the Nation.

Old Age Homes

1. Provide dignified living conditions.
2. Provide recreation, entertainment, and other facilities. Provide library facilities, organise lectures to meet spiritual needs, and provide forums for interaction.
3. Encourage them to take up work in their spare time.

Adventure & Sports

1. Support the Army in the field of adventure.
2. Provide handsome awards for deserving athletes and sportsmen.

Award For Defence Forces

1. Encourage excellence in Military thinking and science.
2. Institute an annual award for innovative and conceptual ideas or producing a unique technology.

Beneficiaries

The following categories are the beneficiaries of the first phase :-

(a) Army

Uttaranchal units, followed by western Uttar Pradesh (Both serving and ex-servicemen and widows).

(b) Navy & Air Force

-do-

(c) Civilians

Rural population followed by urban population. In Bharatiya Academy, the first and foremost priority will be given for children from Uttaranchal, followed by children from rural areas.

Summary of Planned Financial Outlays

1. CAPITAL COSTS
(a) Land	Rs 11.01 Lacs	Completed
(b) Buildings
(i) Widows Hostel	Rs 23.34 Lacs	Completed
(ii) Retreat for the aged High income group	Rs 87.57 Lacs	Not yet started
(iii) Retreat for the Aged Low income group	Rs 33.37 Lacs	Not yet started
(iii) Disabled persons Hostel	Rs 21.45 Lacs	Not yet started
(iv) Training infrastructure	Rs 22.00 Lacs	Approx 15% complete
(v) Bharatiya Academy	Rs 822.00 Lacs	Approx 7% complete
Details given separately as it is a priority project:
2. OUTLAYS FOR BHARATIYA ACADEMY
(a) Buildings	Rs 465 lacs
(i) School Buildings	Approx 9000 sq meters
(ii) Hostel for boys and girls	Approx 8000 sq meters
(b) External Services	Rs 116 Lacs
(c) Development Cost	Rs 13 Lacs
(d) Furniture & Equipment	Rs 61.50 Lacs
(e) Swimming Pool and covered courts	Rs 80 Lacs
(f) Miscellaneous Expenses	Rs 12 Lacs
(g) Contingencies	Rs 74.50 Lacs
Total	Rs 822 Lacs

Sources of Funds & Donors Till Date

Registered Office:

c/o Commandant
BEG & Centre
Roorkee (Hardwar Distt)
India 247667

Location of Trust:

Village Tanshipur, Tehsil Roorkee, Hardwar Distt., Uttaranchal State

The foundation stone for the trust was laid by Lt Gen YN Sharma, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, Army Commander, Central Command on 14 March 1993.

The area is approximately 4 kms from Roorkee town and 2 kms from the main Delhi-Dehra Dun Highway (164 kms from Delhi).

Where to Send Funds

The Trust will be managed by a governing Board of Trustees. The governing body of the Trust comprises of:

The Donations are to be sent to:

Soni Foundation Trust
Bengal Engineer Group & Center
PB No 137
Roorkee - 247667
INDIA

To directly credit, deposit in Account No 61167 (Soni Foundation Trust)
at the State Bank of India, BEG Branch (Roorkee Cantonment)