As part of the Daan Utsav this year, more than 75 NGOs from across the State will come together for a ‘Seva Mela’ at the Lady Andal Venkatasubbarao Matriculation School campus. The mela has been conceptualised to give a platform for NGOs, philanthropists, individuals and educational institutions to speak to the public about the social work they have been involved in.
The Daan Utsav, which was earlier called the Joy of Giving Week, is India’s ‘festival of giving’. Launched in 2009, the festival is celebrated every year from October 2 to 8 and encourages individuals, corporates and civil society organisations to participate and get involved in activities, which involve giving and helping the underprivileged.
Prasanna Gandhi, head of the Confederation of Indian Organisations for Services and Advocacy (CIOSA), which is coordinating the mela, said they wanted the public to come and interact with those working on the ground. “Many who are willing to help aren’t aware of causes they can be a part of and we hope this will help them know and identify such causes,” he said. The mela will take place on October 1 and 2.
M. Mahadevan, director of Oriental Cuisines, said that during the mela, they were planning on installing the city’s biggest ‘hundiyal’ for the public at large to be able to donate and feel the joy of giving.
Other initiatives this year include multiple acts of giving by children, youth and women from over 40 slums in Chennai, including umbrellas for women vendors, a special dinner for the field workers of the Chennai Metrowater for which citizens can come in and volunteer, as well as painting murals in railway stations in the city.
To know more about the Daan Utsav, or for information regarding activities that can be done as a part of the week, individuals and organisations can write to daanutsavchennai@gmail.com.
