The Mumbai-based movement wins global repute.
In a world where reports of murders and other gory acts committed by one’s own family members for money or property have become increasingly common, there is a group in the city that hopes to rekindle love and kindness among strangers without seeking monetary benefits for it.
The group that calls itself ‘Your Turn Now’ (YTN) was started in 2009 by Rushabh Turakhia, 35, a resident of Matunga. However, despite a simple concept (see box), the group has managed to garner international repute.
When asked what drove him to start the group, Turakhia, who also runs his family business, said, “The unkindness around and the fact that people are so busy with their own lives that they do not have time for their own families, forget doing a good deed for strangers. I wanted to change this thinking. Even if I am not able to do it on a large scale, even with a few people it can make a whole lot of difference.’
YTN cards have been in circulation since December 2009. This is a real card like a visiting card that has ‘Your Turn Now’ printed on it. To date, more than 81,200 cards have been rolled out in many states of India like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It has also spread to 26 countries like the United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Zambia, Philippines, United Arab Emirates and Nigeria.
Turakhia further said that they have also started a global event which is held for a week after every two months.
“During this week-long event, we go to traffic policemen, postmen, courier boys, taxi and autorickshaw drivers and offer them water, buttermilk and something to eat. We also introduce ourselves and talk to them for some time. The intention behind this exercise is to spread smiles on the faces of people who are otherwise not even noticed by most of us,” added Turakhia.
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