On 3rd November 2015, 30 colourfully decked auto rickshaws will erratically race 500 kilometres; starting from Khajurao to Kipling Camp, Kanha, India, in the quest to be the first to reach an elephant named Tara. By doing so, they will raise £1 million for the purpose of arresting the diminishing population of elephants. Approximately 90% of the world's Asian elephants have been obliterated.
This fundraising event was announced by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, at a reception at their Clarence House residence in London on 26th March 2015. Also present at the reception was the Indian High Commissioner, Ranjan Mathai, accompanied by his wife, Geeta.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are joint presidents of the Elephant Family charity. The charity was established by the Duchess' late brother Mark Shand in 2002, who rescued the elephant Tara in India. He consequently wrote the bestselling book about it called, Travels on my Elephant.
Elephant Family was founded to save Asian elephants, in particular elephants in India from extinction.
Simon Reuben, who is also ranked 8th in the recently published, Global India Rich List is among the charity's patrons, as well as Cyrus and Priya Vandrevala and Gaurav Burman.
In June, the rickshaws that will participate in the contest will travel around and on 28th June, the vehicle will be auctioned at Sotheby’s to racers, backers and drivers.
The money raised from the auto rickshaw race will go to the Elephant Family.
