10-time World Billiards and Snooker Champion Pankaj Advani celebrated International Day of the Girl Child with Smile Foundation at the Karnataka State Billiards Association. Pankaj also supported the education of 12 girl children for a year.
Pankaj Advani has been awarded with the Arjuna Award in 2004, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 2006 and the Padma Shri in 2009.
With an aim to raise awareness about educating the girl child, the champion also pledged his support towards Smile Foundation’s relief and rehabilitation efforts in the Kashmir valley to help out children who are the worst hit.
“Women play a very important role in our society, in our lives. It is my grandmother’s birthday today. I was very close to her and have learnt a lot from her. On this special day, I would like to stand up for the cause of education of girl children.
These young girls will be women tomorrow; mothers, and unless they are educated, the future generations cannot be empowered. Smile Foundation has been doing really good work for the girl child. They are also reaching out to the girl children in Jammu & Kashmir, who have been affected by the floods. I am supporting their initiative and request all of you to join me”, said Pankaj.