“PHILANTHROPY IS NOT ABOUT MONEY …ITS ABOUT FEELING THE PAIN OF OTHERS AND CARING ENOUGH ABOUT THEIR NEEDS TO HELP“
TC Bureau Chandigarh: Sometimes our preconceptions of people make us label them into certain categories. The older generation generally thinks of the present generation as privileged , pampered, lazy and selfish individuals who can’t think of life beyond Instagram, Facebook and Whatsapp. So, when they do something that breaks this image, make people sit up and take notice.
When Strawberry Fields Old Students Association (SFOSA) with its 3 member core committee and 15 other members aged between 18-24 years of age,in collaboration with Durga Das Foundation and Nanhi Jaan ,an NGO headed by Dr Chhatwal, thought of social work , they were carrying forward the values imbibed from their school . They have been active in this field since its inception two years ago when funds were collected to help EWS students. The present lockdown has given these youngsters a noble cause to reach out to doctors and underprivileged women, with the support and guidance of their school.
As Vishesh Arora, a Core Committee member, so aptly said , “The aim of starting this drive to collect funds for helping out in our own small way is because the the hyper local contribution reaches people faster than contributions made at a national level. Hence this work has been done till more funds trickle down from higher level.The initial aim was to collect 1Lac in 5 days and contribute to Nanhi Jaan and the Police Fund but with the support and generosity of alumni, friends and family members we managed to collect 1.54 Lacs in 7 days and we are still collecting !!”
Saksham Kakria, another member, said,” Initially we thought of contributing to the Police Fund and to Nanhi Jaan .When Anahita Merchant, Mehakdeep and I went to hand over our cheque to the DGP, Mr Sanjay Beniwal, he told us about the underprivileged women who are in need of sanitary pads as no one thinks of this essential needs of theirs.So, this prompted us to use this money for them.In the coming few days we have planned a pad distribution camp in Dhanas, with the support of Chandigarh Police. ” His views were echoed by Yuvraj Singh, another member who added,” We have been focusing so much on food and rations for everyone, that this important necessity of women totally eluded us. When the DGP guided us , we promptly followed this direction. We have collaborated with The Durga Das Foundation because our Alumni Association is still in its nascent stage and we are benefitting from their experience in the management of funds and their utilisation. “
Anahita Merchant opined, ” Our meeting with Mr Beniwal, a true feminist, was such an eye opener ! He told us that people of Chandigarh are lucky to be able to get sufficient food but the women in the lower economic strata do not have access to a basic thing like sanitary pad. As it is women don’t have much say how money is spent but spending it on this item of personal use would be thought of as extravagance. We realised that we needed to help such women.”
It is heartening to note how these youngsters are thinking beyond their own comfort and fun. Rather than crib ans curse the lockdown and the restrictions , they are setting an example for others , be it their peers or even older people. India, your future is bright in the hands of such bright , enlightened citizens !!
