The festival of lights has just gotten brighter as three South Mumbai NGOs spread cheer in the lives of the lesser privileged
The endearing part about Diwali in Mumbai is that it is no longer limited to celebrations at home with friends and family; it is also seen as an opportunity to bring together and bond with people from all walks of life, not just to celebrate but also to raise awareness about certain issues. We put the spotlight on a few initiatives that deserve a round of applause.
Lending a voice to those who cannot stand up for themselves seems to be the driving force behind the Ministry of Minuscule Minorities. They are passionate about two major initiatives: 1) Conducting a drive asking people to donate essential items needed by the children at Bal Anand, Chembur; and 2) Raising funds to fight for the cause of child sexual abuse.
Harish Iyer, Founder, Ministry of Minuscule Minorities, says, "Rather than spreading pollution and harassing innocent animals on the street as well as asthmatics with noise and smoke, I like to make use of this festival to spread some smiles and create more awareness on significant issues. Children deserve the right to a happy childhood and I vow to give it to them. The two causes that I will be campaigning for, this Diwali, are child sexual abuse and children deserted by their biological parents."
The Pratham Council for Vulnerable Children (PCVC) was formed in the year 2001 with the objective of reaching out to vulnerable children such as child labourers, beggars, school drop outs, etc.
Kishor Bhamre, Director, PCVC, says, "We make it a point to arrange for a Diwali celebration party every year. This year being no different, we arranged the party with the hope of spreading light and joy in the lives of children. Our 25 boys and 25 girls who were part of this celebration laughed and giggled along with their friends and we were glad to have been instrumental in spreading cheer in their lives."
The Ashiyana Foundation believes in the power of community and the magic that is created when people who share similar intentions and values come together. To celebrate the festival of lights this year, Ashiyana Foundation has collaborated with Don Bosco Balprafulta and Humanity Hub to organise a Diwali workshop for the boys of Umerkhadi (Dongri) Children's Home, which is run by The Children's Aid Society.
Tejal Rajyagor, member of Ashiyana Foundation, says, "We had a pre-Diwali workshop conducted earlier on Sunday. All decorative material created on that day will be used to light up the Children's Home during Diwali. It was heartening to see college students, artists, musicians, IT professionals, housewives and even young kids coming together to make our children's ideas and dreams come true through shapes and colours. Ashiyana and its volunteer community is also planning a get-together today to celebrate Diwali with the children and staff through music, dance art, games and the screening of a film."
Follow Ashiyana Foundation on their facebook page 'AshiyanaIndia'; and Harish Iyer on Ministry of Minuscule Minorities.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}