A battalion of young people are on a mission to make the city a better place, at least for 20 days. This year, from making sandwiches for the destitute and drivers of cabs or auto rickshaws to feeding a 100 children from orphanages and even collecting rice, pulses, clothes, books and school stationery for the needy, the young in the city are now riding the philanthropy wave as part of Daan Utsav.
Daan Utsav (DU), which is a major event to support charity and social responsibility, that already started it in a small way on September 20, will reach the peak of contribution on October 1 and 2 owing to Gandhi Jayanti.
The Utsav’s programmes will conclude on October 9. DU came into existence in 2009.
Among the participants are schools, colleges, corporate houses who take up the Utsav as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), residents associations, Rotarians and volunteering individuals all of whom are interested in social change. Speaking at the official launch of the festival in the city managing co-ordinator of GlowTide, an organisation that supports saving food, Reena Pilly said: “We have so far managed to save food from IT houses and celebration and party venues that could feed 3.5 lakh people. In Daan we will feed a 100 orphaned children at a leading restaurant in the city.” Other organisations supporting the drive too had similar ideas.
“We are starting a rice bucket challenge in which people are encouraged to donate rice, dal and pulses for the needy. We will also mobilise funds to support the needy by conducting a walkathon for morning walkers who come to Osmania University,” said Ali, a student leader of Osmania University and a member of, Yuva, an NGO run by OU students. Students of Vishnu Group of Institutions too have decided to contribute rice and necessary groceries to the economically under privileged.
The city’s needy will also get medical support. In Gandhi Hospital volunteers are expected to set up blood donation and free ear check up camps for the elderly. Also, some pockets in the city will get cleaned, including the crowded Mehdipatnam Bus Stand.
While the drive to do an act of kindness to complete strangers have had many equivalents in the past, the Daan Utsav according to the organisers draws the biggest crowd.
The event is sponsored by several IT corporates and top notch hotels in the city.
