What began as a simple request to support widows evolved into a lifelong mission. The couple share how they organised landmark fundraising events, including one attended by the then Prince of Wales and four UK Prime Ministers, raising £250,000 for the cause. They went on to establish the Loomba Foundation, initially supporting widows' children's education in India before expanding into livelihood programmes that equipped widows with vocational training and sewing machines, helping tens of thousands build financial independence.
Raj also recounts the decade long campaign that led to the creation of International Widows' Day, from its launch at the House of Lords in 2005 to its unanimous adoption by the United Nations in 2010. Together, the Loombas reflect on why dignity, opportunity, and collective action matter, and how each of us can play a part in transforming lives.
Chapters
00:00 Highlights of the Episode
01:49 Meet Lord Raj & Lady Veena Loomba
03:14 Arriving in London with $100
06:25 The Ice Cream Hustle
10:06 A Marriage That Built a Mission
12:08 The First Major Fundraiser
18:40 Why Widows Need Our Attention
21:00 A Direct Aid Model That Works
22:01 Taking the Campaign to the United Nations
25:45 From Grassroots to Global Impact
31:57 The Philosophy of Giving
35:05 Closing Thoughts
#GiveItAGo #EdelgiveFoundation #HurunIndia #FundingTheFuture #SmartPhilanthropy