New York Life Honors Winners

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: 
Lacey Siegel            
New York Life                       
212-576-7937                       
Lacey_S_Siegel@NewYorkLife.com  

Srinivas R. Ranga 
New York Life
212 576 7452
srinivas_ranga@newyorklife.com

NEW YORK LIFE HONORS WINNERS OF SIXTH ANNUAL BHARAT YATRA ESSAY COMPETITION

Asian-Indian Market Premieres Documentary Highlighting Bharat Yatra VI — Journey To India

NEW YORK, N.Y., October 10, 2008 – New York Life Insurance Company recently held a reception to honor the 15 winners of the Bharat Yatra VI -Journey to India essay competition.  Entrants, ages 18 – 23, were asked to submit a 1,500 word essay about India’s development and the challenges associated with its economy, education, culture, environment and other important aspects of daily life there.  New York Life’s Asian Indian Market created the Bharat Yatra contest to instill a sense of giving back to the community among second-generation Indian Americans and sponsored an all-expense paid trip to India for the winners.  The 30-minute video unveiled at the reception, “Seizing Our Destiny: A Documentary,” captures the group’s visits to various institutions serving the deprived and the physically challenged.

“The sixth annual essay contest and trip to India is further evidence of New York Life’s active involvement in the Asian-Indian community and our unwavering commitment to its people,” said Chris Blunt, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Life and Annuity Department.  “I’m pleased that New York Life gave these students an opportunity to feed their thirst for knowledge, and I am sure they will return the favor by changing the world for the better.”
   
“By giving Asian-Indian students the chance to visit their homeland, New York Life is strengthening its connection to India and its people, culture and heritage. I’m proud to be part of this enriching experience,” said Ashwin K. Verma, corporate vice president of the Agency Department and chief marketing officer of cultural markets at New York Life. “The documentary will enable thousands of Asian-Indian children in the United States to see India through the eyes of these talented students.”
   
The contest is sponsored in conjunction with the India Tourism Office in New York and AirIndia, India’s national carrier.  This year’s 15 winners visited the state of Maharashtra, India, whereas earlier groups toured Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat and Karnataka.  The trip, which took place July 20 – August 4, 2008, taught these young adults about India’s economy, education, culture, environment and other important aspects of daily life as they traveled the land and met with non-governmental organizations, community leaders and other dignitaries. 
   
Sixth Annual Bharat Yatra Essay Competition/2
   

Kunal Kothari from Dil Se Foundation (a by product of Bharat Yatra Essay Competition) is honoring Senior Vice President Chris Blunt with a traditional Indian shawl.

New York Life Insurance Company, a Fortune 100 company founded in 1845, is the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States and one of the largest life insurers in the world.  New York Life has the highest possible financial strength ratings from all four of the major credit rating agencies.   Headquartered in New York City, New York Life’s family of companies offers life insurance, retirement income, investments and long-term care insurance.  New York Life Investment Management LLC provides institutional asset management and retirement plan services.  Other New York Life affiliates provide an array of securities products and services, as well as institutional and retail mutual funds.