The last three days of the Joy of giving Week 2010 and we bring to you an update from Jamshedpur, from the Head of a Nursery School called Baug-e-Jamshed. Mrs.Dotivalla, the Principal of the school thankfully believes in inculcating the right values at a young age. So, her school catering to 3 to 5 year olds decided to celebrate the JGW with activities like Collage Making Day, Reading Day, Joy with Dance and Musicetc. The school has also organised a clothes collection drie. These children will, we are sure, grow up to be caring and empathetic individuals. A thank you to Mrs.Dotivalla.
In Chennai today, patrons are getting ready for the big battle, the Battle of the Buffet. Restaurants across the city have tied up with generous donors vying for well cooked dishes. A wonderful way to raise resources while satisfying one's palate.
Meanwhile Bangalore has seen events for children, a focus on health with Pranic Healing, eye check ups, yoga, newspaper collection drive to name just a few.
From Pune comes this update from Opus Software that is celebrating the JGW across its offices with various activities. They are organizing Vastradaan, Annadaan hai Mahadaan and Buy for a Cause campaigns in the ‘Joy of Giving Week’ at their corporate office in Pune. They will also organize the Vastradaan and Annadaan hai Mahadaan campaigns in their Mumbai and Chennai offices. The employees of the organization will donate clothes for the Vastradaan campaign on September 28th and foodgrains for the Annadaan hai Mahadaan campaign on September 29th.
Makemytrip continues with its JGW initiative begun last year with its aim of reducing carbon footprints.
We would like to end with a story from TAPMI where students celebrated JGW with activities for children from an orphanage. As Shweta a team member of the Social Endeavour Group says, "It is an enriching experience to have the children from Balaniketan here and with their presence the campus took on a new colour."
We fervently hope the JGW adds colours to our lives and in the lives of those we share our time, resources and skills with. We could all do with a lot more colour and joy in our lives. So share and spread joy in this the the Joy of Giving Week
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Year 2, Day 4, Sept. 29th
Midway through the second year of the Joy of Giving Week, and we at the JGW team find ourselves unable to express our thanks for the wonderful response our appeals to give have generated. We have been receiving regular updates from all over and we will write about them at a later point in time. Meanwhile a fundraiser in aid of Jai Vakeel School for Children in need of Special Care, called Treasure Trove, was held today at the Taj.
"Treasure Trove is a charity auction of a mixed bag of art/ fashion/ Jewellery/ collectibles and memorabilia – each of which has an intrinsic worth. The idea of mixing all kinds of premium luxury goods at the auction is, that everybody present has a chance to contribute while taking home an object they desire. " We are confident that the fund raised would be substantial.
One of the amazing facets of the JGW is the manner in which it takes care of all sections of society and all age groups and in all areas. So we have resource mobilisation for marginalised children, a Grain Bank for all, fund collection for health related issues like Alzheimers disease, awareness creation about organ donation, helping develop soft skills in skilled and semi skilled workers, events for senior citizens, and we could go on and on for people have chosen to give in numerous ways.
A major surprise in the JGW and one we must admit we did not really anticipate is the link established between the common citizen, the corporate and the government. In fact the response of givernment officials to the JGW is really encouraging. Last year forest officials got together with villagers to plant saplings in Maharashtra and this year police officials in Chennai have come forward with a three point agenda to help the general public. ACP (law and order), Mohammad Shakeel Akhter from Chennai spelt out this agenda when he said " We have a 3 point agenda for Joy of Giving Week. Senior citizens should be respected, women should be empowered and the gap between the police and general public bridged." To carry forward their ideas, they have drawn upon college students, NGO volunteers, IT professionals as 'ambassadors' to convey their ideas. Change as we have always claimed, can be brought about at all levels by thinking and acting positively.
The auction for a lunch date with the Big B is going strong and we will update you on that in the coming days. Meanwhile mail us your 'giving' stories at updates@joyofgivingweek.org
"Treasure Trove is a charity auction of a mixed bag of art/ fashion/ Jewellery/ collectibles and memorabilia – each of which has an intrinsic worth. The idea of mixing all kinds of premium luxury goods at the auction is, that everybody present has a chance to contribute while taking home an object they desire. " We are confident that the fund raised would be substantial.
One of the amazing facets of the JGW is the manner in which it takes care of all sections of society and all age groups and in all areas. So we have resource mobilisation for marginalised children, a Grain Bank for all, fund collection for health related issues like Alzheimers disease, awareness creation about organ donation, helping develop soft skills in skilled and semi skilled workers, events for senior citizens, and we could go on and on for people have chosen to give in numerous ways.
A major surprise in the JGW and one we must admit we did not really anticipate is the link established between the common citizen, the corporate and the government. In fact the response of givernment officials to the JGW is really encouraging. Last year forest officials got together with villagers to plant saplings in Maharashtra and this year police officials in Chennai have come forward with a three point agenda to help the general public. ACP (law and order), Mohammad Shakeel Akhter from Chennai spelt out this agenda when he said " We have a 3 point agenda for Joy of Giving Week. Senior citizens should be respected, women should be empowered and the gap between the police and general public bridged." To carry forward their ideas, they have drawn upon college students, NGO volunteers, IT professionals as 'ambassadors' to convey their ideas. Change as we have always claimed, can be brought about at all levels by thinking and acting positively.
The auction for a lunch date with the Big B is going strong and we will update you on that in the coming days. Meanwhile mail us your 'giving' stories at updates@joyofgivingweek.org
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Year 2, Day 3, Sept. 28th, A Child's World
The third day of second edition of the Joy of Giving Week and the nation is apprehensive about the post Ayodhya verdict reaction. It is worrying to hear school children talk of trouble that will follow the verdict and voice the opinion of the significant adults in their environment, about 'these people and those people'. How we wish that children could retain their innocence, that children could learn to live together, be free of and from violence, not be exposed to abuse of any sort, above all learn to believe that each one of us is an equal human and therefore have the same basic desire to be loved unconditionally and to belong. When one hears children talk today, it is evident that very few understand this and that most of them live in fear.
Fear dominates the minds of most children. They are frightened because they have not done their homework, because they have broken something, because the bully at school harasses them, because the uncle/ aunty down the road is abusing them, because the Seth or Malik is beating them, the policeman drives them away and because all these demons visit them at night, turning their lives into a living nightmare. When children are troubled like this, then the world they live in is not safe for them.
What exactly does a safe world mean? It is a world that respects the dignity of our children. It is a world where discrimination and abuse are unknown. It is a world where children feel secure, loved and accepted; a world where children have the right to remain children and are not drawn into adult responsibilities and games at childhood often against their will; a world where every child that is born has a right to a childhood that is peaceful and secure; a right to play and leisure; a right to an education; to freedom from fear; a world where each child has a right to hope and dream and children should never have to face a world that does not promise them the above.
What does all this have to do with the Joy of Giving Week one may ask and the answer to that is everything. Our participation in the JGW should not be undertaken merely to raise resources, but should help us to change our attitudes towards others, whether less fortunate or otherwise. The empathy that we hope accompanies each act of giving is what will ultimately help transform us into better human beings. When this happens, the change will filter down to our children and through them, our society will change into a safe and humane one. Come forward to participate in the JGW and help this change to happen .
Fear dominates the minds of most children. They are frightened because they have not done their homework, because they have broken something, because the bully at school harasses them, because the uncle/ aunty down the road is abusing them, because the Seth or Malik is beating them, the policeman drives them away and because all these demons visit them at night, turning their lives into a living nightmare. When children are troubled like this, then the world they live in is not safe for them.
What exactly does a safe world mean? It is a world that respects the dignity of our children. It is a world where discrimination and abuse are unknown. It is a world where children feel secure, loved and accepted; a world where children have the right to remain children and are not drawn into adult responsibilities and games at childhood often against their will; a world where every child that is born has a right to a childhood that is peaceful and secure; a right to play and leisure; a right to an education; to freedom from fear; a world where each child has a right to hope and dream and children should never have to face a world that does not promise them the above.
What does all this have to do with the Joy of Giving Week one may ask and the answer to that is everything. Our participation in the JGW should not be undertaken merely to raise resources, but should help us to change our attitudes towards others, whether less fortunate or otherwise. The empathy that we hope accompanies each act of giving is what will ultimately help transform us into better human beings. When this happens, the change will filter down to our children and through them, our society will change into a safe and humane one. Come forward to participate in the JGW and help this change to happen .
Monday, September 27, 2010
Year 2, Day 2, Sept. 27th
Day 2 of the Joy of Giving Week and the response has been phenomenal. Over 40 registered events organised on Day 1 and we are unaware of the many 'giving' events that may have been held but have not been registered. We have already begun to receive updates from those who had their events yesterday, including an update about events and a health check-up organised for senior citizens living in an old age home in Ahmedabad.
Day 2 of the JGW and the auction on ebay India for a gym session with Salman Khan registered a highest bid of around three and a half lakhs.
Day 2 and the auction on ebayIndia for breakfast with Akshay Kumar has already crossed three and a half lakhs.
Day 2 of the JGW and we received a wonderful surprise when one of the most popular and best loved Indian and an icon for two generations, Mr.Amitabh Bachchan, decided to literally give of himself and has offered to have lunch with upto 10 people and spend around 2 hours with them, in candid talk. This is phenomenal because this is the first time he has ever agreed to do something like this. This is a tremendous opportunity for his fans to take advantage of and start bidding for his time. The bidding begins this evening at 5:00p.m. and ends on the 2nd of October. Please spread the word around and let us pray that we are able to raise a lot of funds through this because the fund goes to charity, as does the fund collected in the training session with Salman Khan and breakfast with Akshay Kumar.
Do write in with your updates to tell us how your event was held and more important, how did you feel at the end of it. Share your joy with us, the Joy of Giving Week. Write to us at updates@joyofgivingweek.org
Day 2 of the JGW and the auction on ebay India for a gym session with Salman Khan registered a highest bid of around three and a half lakhs.
Day 2 and the auction on ebayIndia for breakfast with Akshay Kumar has already crossed three and a half lakhs.
Day 2 of the JGW and we received a wonderful surprise when one of the most popular and best loved Indian and an icon for two generations, Mr.Amitabh Bachchan, decided to literally give of himself and has offered to have lunch with upto 10 people and spend around 2 hours with them, in candid talk. This is phenomenal because this is the first time he has ever agreed to do something like this. This is a tremendous opportunity for his fans to take advantage of and start bidding for his time. The bidding begins this evening at 5:00p.m. and ends on the 2nd of October. Please spread the word around and let us pray that we are able to raise a lot of funds through this because the fund goes to charity, as does the fund collected in the training session with Salman Khan and breakfast with Akshay Kumar.
Do write in with your updates to tell us how your event was held and more important, how did you feel at the end of it. Share your joy with us, the Joy of Giving Week. Write to us at updates@joyofgivingweek.org
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Year 2, Day 1, 26th Sept.
The first day of the JGW today and even as one writes this, there are many 'giving' events that have already taken place and many will happen this evening and for the next 6 days. The response has been overwhelming. Certain 'giving activities' are being repeated this year because of the tremendous impact they had last year and the resources such activities raised. Battle of the Buffet, Shadow a CEO, Udayan's Home of Joy, Joyfest, Vastrasamman, Styles for Smiles are some of the better known events. But there are so many more innovative ways that have been designed for one to give. 314 events at the time of writing this.
We would like to reassure those who think that the JGW is about contributing big money, that it is not so. It is all about the small pebbles that together add up. So no contribution is too small. In fact, one could raise money by sharing one's time and skills and contribute that to charity. This is possible by being a part of the Dreamathon, a new event that has been designed to help raise money by living one's dream. Can it get better than that !!
Bitterness, envy, greed, seem to rule our lives and that needs to change if we are to live in content. With 6 days more to go for the JGW to come to an end, let us come together and pledge our time, skills and resources to create a better opportunities for the marginalised and a better land for ourselves. When each one of us contributes individually towards this, the effort becomes a collective one and results are soon visible. There are many such efforts undertaken during the JGW but we sign off with a story about Prof.Sandeep Desai who used to teach at SP Jain College of Management, Mumbai, who has managed to raise rupees 4 lakhs for a school in Ratnagari by asking commuters on the Churchgate-Borivili locals in Mumbai to contribute. As he says, "The response has been great." We need more such stories to uplift our spirits and galvanise us into action. The Joy of Giving Week, 2010.
We would like to reassure those who think that the JGW is about contributing big money, that it is not so. It is all about the small pebbles that together add up. So no contribution is too small. In fact, one could raise money by sharing one's time and skills and contribute that to charity. This is possible by being a part of the Dreamathon, a new event that has been designed to help raise money by living one's dream. Can it get better than that !!
Bitterness, envy, greed, seem to rule our lives and that needs to change if we are to live in content. With 6 days more to go for the JGW to come to an end, let us come together and pledge our time, skills and resources to create a better opportunities for the marginalised and a better land for ourselves. When each one of us contributes individually towards this, the effort becomes a collective one and results are soon visible. There are many such efforts undertaken during the JGW but we sign off with a story about Prof.Sandeep Desai who used to teach at SP Jain College of Management, Mumbai, who has managed to raise rupees 4 lakhs for a school in Ratnagari by asking commuters on the Churchgate-Borivili locals in Mumbai to contribute. As he says, "The response has been great." We need more such stories to uplift our spirits and galvanise us into action. The Joy of Giving Week, 2010.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
and we thank....
The second chapter of the Joy of Giving Week begins tomorrow and signs of the festival surpassing last years collection and participation are already visible. 296 registered events at the time of writing this. It brings us joy ! But none of this would have been possible without the wholehearted and voluntary participation of thousands of both well known and anonymous men, women and children, not just in India, but outside the borders of our country as well. The coming weeks will give us a clearer idea about the numbers participating and the resources collected and the innovative manner in which the week has been celebrated, but even as we are all set to usher in the week, we take a moment off to give thanks to.....
the many celebrities who have taken time off from their busy schedules to make time to promote, participate and contribute to the JGW. Tendulkar, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Shriya, Adi Godrej, Amit Chandra, Anurag Kashyap.... to name just a few
the media, which has been covering the week extensively for a couple of weeks featuring on its pages, this story of positive change that comes across as a ray of hope amongst all the negative stories that are on the front pages of our newspapers or are headlines on our television screens.
the State Bank of India for carrying on all its 22,000 ATMs, the message of the Joy of Giving Week.
the many faces across the length and breadth of the country, from the school children in places like Nagaland, the corporate honcho in a metro, the college student in small towns, the concerned senior citizen, the homemaker, the office goer, the government official, the man on the street, all of whom have embraced the JGW as their personal festival, thus enabling us to make this a common vision, for the JGW has been visualised as a festival where every Indian from a 'billionaire to a paanwallah' can participate
above all, thanks are due to the many volunteers of the JGW team who have been working in visible and invisible ways for months to ensure that the message of this festival reaches as many as possible and that those who desire to participate are enabled to do so. It is their motivation, single minded determination, the shared vision, the time devoted to carrying this message of hope to as many as possible by making time for it in their otherwise busy schedules, that has contributed to a large extent to the success of this festival.
Thank you to all and may the Joy of Giving Week bring us all great joy. Join, participate and celebrate the JGW with humility and abundance.
the many celebrities who have taken time off from their busy schedules to make time to promote, participate and contribute to the JGW. Tendulkar, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Shriya, Adi Godrej, Amit Chandra, Anurag Kashyap.... to name just a few
the media, which has been covering the week extensively for a couple of weeks featuring on its pages, this story of positive change that comes across as a ray of hope amongst all the negative stories that are on the front pages of our newspapers or are headlines on our television screens.
the State Bank of India for carrying on all its 22,000 ATMs, the message of the Joy of Giving Week.
the many faces across the length and breadth of the country, from the school children in places like Nagaland, the corporate honcho in a metro, the college student in small towns, the concerned senior citizen, the homemaker, the office goer, the government official, the man on the street, all of whom have embraced the JGW as their personal festival, thus enabling us to make this a common vision, for the JGW has been visualised as a festival where every Indian from a 'billionaire to a paanwallah' can participate
above all, thanks are due to the many volunteers of the JGW team who have been working in visible and invisible ways for months to ensure that the message of this festival reaches as many as possible and that those who desire to participate are enabled to do so. It is their motivation, single minded determination, the shared vision, the time devoted to carrying this message of hope to as many as possible by making time for it in their otherwise busy schedules, that has contributed to a large extent to the success of this festival.
Thank you to all and may the Joy of Giving Week bring us all great joy. Join, participate and celebrate the JGW with humility and abundance.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Words of Wisdom
With the Joy of giving Week 2010 beginning the day after tomorrow, we could all do with some inspiring quotes to set us in the right frame of mind to give. Here are some wise words from the wise.
Gibran, puts it beautifully when he says, " It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding."
Albert M. Wells , " Sharing what you have is more important than what you have." The JGW stems from this idea, that it is more important to share than to possess.
Another gem, " You can never expect too much of yourself in the matter of giving yourself to others." ( Theodore C. Speers)
A beautiful and inspiring quote that sums up the essence of the JGW, is by Henry Drummond" There is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving" and the second "True religion ...is giving and finding one's happiness by bringing happiness into the lives of others."
The Joy of Giving Week, attempts to do just what these sayings advocate, bring happiness into one's own life and enrich that of others by giving, giving in abundance. Each one of us can give, no gift is too big or too small or too mean. In fact there is no meanness associated with giving. The very act of giving elevates us to a higher plane which is why one supposes that there is a feeling of joy. The recognition that joy accompanies giving is one that we usually learn as children and forget along the way. It is time to learn this lesson again. Two more inspiring quotes to end this post with : " No people were ever honored for what they received, Honor has been the reward for what they gave". ( Calvin Coolidge) and Henry Ford, the trail blazing businessman " Most people thing of success in terms of getting, success however, begins in terms of giving."
Gibran, puts it beautifully when he says, " It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding."
Albert M. Wells , " Sharing what you have is more important than what you have." The JGW stems from this idea, that it is more important to share than to possess.
Another gem, " You can never expect too much of yourself in the matter of giving yourself to others." ( Theodore C. Speers)
A beautiful and inspiring quote that sums up the essence of the JGW, is by Henry Drummond" There is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving" and the second "True religion ...is giving and finding one's happiness by bringing happiness into the lives of others."
The Joy of Giving Week, attempts to do just what these sayings advocate, bring happiness into one's own life and enrich that of others by giving, giving in abundance. Each one of us can give, no gift is too big or too small or too mean. In fact there is no meanness associated with giving. The very act of giving elevates us to a higher plane which is why one supposes that there is a feeling of joy. The recognition that joy accompanies giving is one that we usually learn as children and forget along the way. It is time to learn this lesson again. Two more inspiring quotes to end this post with : " No people were ever honored for what they received, Honor has been the reward for what they gave". ( Calvin Coolidge) and Henry Ford, the trail blazing businessman " Most people thing of success in terms of getting, success however, begins in terms of giving."
Monday, September 20, 2010
Let Joy & Peace Prevail
With Joy of Giving Week 2010 just 6 days away, it is heartening to note that around 170 events have already been registered on our website. We are confident that in the coming days, more participants would come forward to register their events and the number of events is sure to surpass last years total of 300. Many have written in to ask whether they could hold their fundraising, awareness creating, volunteering, resource collection activities either before or after the week is officially over. While we welcome any activity or attempt to give and would encourage them, we regret that such events cannot be considered a part of the Joy of Giving Week.
Is it necessary to hold your 'giving' event only during the JGW? Not at all. We are free to spread joy through giving as and when we find it convenient and in the manner we choose to. Yet, we would like as many of you as possible to have your 'giving' activities during the JGW not because we want to preen about how successful we have been at co-ordinating the festival, but because only then will it truly turn into a national festival. This is crucial to spread the culture of giving in the country. The spirit of giving should be imbibed by each one of us and should be as natural to us as breathing. When that happens, each day will be a Joy of Giving Day and each one of us will experience the happiness that comes from giving and ultimately peace will prevail in the land.
So come forward to participate in this unique humane festival. For those who have no clue about how to contribute, our site joyofgivingweek.ning.com has the answers. Today, when there is turmoil in the land with flood and diseases, apprehension about terrorist attacks and engineered accidents, worry about the fallout of the Ayodhya Judgment, we are all in need of an event, a festival that helps us to reach out to each other in a spirit of equality and empathy and that is the Joy of Giving Week. Come forward to bury differences and reach out to help, to cheer, to encourage and to give. The Joy of Giving Week, 26th Sept., to 2nd Oct., 2010
Is it necessary to hold your 'giving' event only during the JGW? Not at all. We are free to spread joy through giving as and when we find it convenient and in the manner we choose to. Yet, we would like as many of you as possible to have your 'giving' activities during the JGW not because we want to preen about how successful we have been at co-ordinating the festival, but because only then will it truly turn into a national festival. This is crucial to spread the culture of giving in the country. The spirit of giving should be imbibed by each one of us and should be as natural to us as breathing. When that happens, each day will be a Joy of Giving Day and each one of us will experience the happiness that comes from giving and ultimately peace will prevail in the land.
So come forward to participate in this unique humane festival. For those who have no clue about how to contribute, our site joyofgivingweek.ning.com has the answers. Today, when there is turmoil in the land with flood and diseases, apprehension about terrorist attacks and engineered accidents, worry about the fallout of the Ayodhya Judgment, we are all in need of an event, a festival that helps us to reach out to each other in a spirit of equality and empathy and that is the Joy of Giving Week. Come forward to bury differences and reach out to help, to cheer, to encourage and to give. The Joy of Giving Week, 26th Sept., to 2nd Oct., 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
and God made us all
This morning, while on the regular commute to work by the suburban rail, a stray dog entered the compartment. The excitement was immediate and perceivable because it was after all a break from the routine commute. Newspapers were put away, the cellphone ring was ignored and fingers stopped counting the rosary beads. The dog made itself comfortable and sat down at a corner near the door, a place usually occupied by the street urchins, women vendors etc. For a short while, there was shared laughter and a few brave souls began to pet the dog while the rest watched indulgently. After a couple of minutes, a young student opened her lunchbox and fed the dog a chapati. Out came other sundry food stuff and by the time this writer got down (about 20mins after the dog entered), the dog had been offered a biscuit, a sandwich, more chapatis, some rice and vegetable. Did not really notice whether the dog ate it all.
Through all the excitement the animal caused, one could'nt help wondering about what would have happened if an urchin or a eunuch or a poor woman with babies in tow had entered the compartment. The treatment meted out to them would have been far from welcoming. They would have been shooed, asked to get down, threatened with a police complaint, and the camarederie one experienced amongst the commuters in the first instance would have taken a different turn with us grumbling about "These people don't understand. They get in and they have nothing to do except have kids". It is almost as if 'these people' don't matter and are not people at all. Most of us are guilty of displaying this attitude at sometime or the other.
What do we do about it? Nothing actually except turn defensive when accused. But if we truly want to make a difference, then we need to treat all with courtsey and accord to all the respect we wish to be given. Granted the ticketless traveller or a free-loader can be an irritant but by treating him/ her like an inanimate object, we are negating his/ her very humanity. Each one of us is equal in the eyes of God. It should not be too difficult for an aetheist to accept that we are all human beings and that by itself makes us all equal.
The JGW is about equality and according dignity to all. Raising resources is of no use if unaccompanied with graciousness. To raise the JGW this year to a higher plane, let us make it a point to treat all with courtsey and believe that "all of us are born equal in dignity and rights." If the JGW can transfer a message that all of us are equally worthy, and if this message is absorbed by many, then the change towards a more egalitarian society has begun. Let us begin to work on this change, today and now.
Through all the excitement the animal caused, one could'nt help wondering about what would have happened if an urchin or a eunuch or a poor woman with babies in tow had entered the compartment. The treatment meted out to them would have been far from welcoming. They would have been shooed, asked to get down, threatened with a police complaint, and the camarederie one experienced amongst the commuters in the first instance would have taken a different turn with us grumbling about "These people don't understand. They get in and they have nothing to do except have kids". It is almost as if 'these people' don't matter and are not people at all. Most of us are guilty of displaying this attitude at sometime or the other.
What do we do about it? Nothing actually except turn defensive when accused. But if we truly want to make a difference, then we need to treat all with courtsey and accord to all the respect we wish to be given. Granted the ticketless traveller or a free-loader can be an irritant but by treating him/ her like an inanimate object, we are negating his/ her very humanity. Each one of us is equal in the eyes of God. It should not be too difficult for an aetheist to accept that we are all human beings and that by itself makes us all equal.
The JGW is about equality and according dignity to all. Raising resources is of no use if unaccompanied with graciousness. To raise the JGW this year to a higher plane, let us make it a point to treat all with courtsey and believe that "all of us are born equal in dignity and rights." If the JGW can transfer a message that all of us are equally worthy, and if this message is absorbed by many, then the change towards a more egalitarian society has begun. Let us begin to work on this change, today and now.
Monday, September 13, 2010
A Human Touch
Just read about Human Touch, a Nagpur based NGO, participating in the JGW to raise resources to 'serve the young'. They will be participating in the India Giving Challenge that is a part of JGW. The name Human touch, seems so apt to describe the essence of the JGW. In this week, we hope by performing the act of giving, strangers reach out to each other, a human touch as it were. Going by the number of events registered at the JGW website, 82 at the time of writing this, (though we are sure many more would have been planned but not registered), many young people are coming forward to reach out and help. That is hearening. What is also encouraging, is the link between the corporate and the NGO. We have written about this earlier, but think it is worth mentioning again because any such linkage is beneficial for the NGO has a mentor and the corporate gains in tax breaks and enhances its image in the community to name just two.
Coming back to the events registered, like last year they cover a wide range of areas, like organ donation, education, health awareness, resource mobilisation, working for change to name just a few. For those who would like more details about the events and how to participate, visit us at www.joyofgivingweek.ning.com. With the JGW just 2 weeks away, there is'nt much time and we need to act fast if we are to make a bigger impact this year than last year.
Meanwhile here is another press report:
http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_give-in-to-the-pleasure-of-giving-selflessly_1437226
Coming back to the events registered, like last year they cover a wide range of areas, like organ donation, education, health awareness, resource mobilisation, working for change to name just a few. For those who would like more details about the events and how to participate, visit us at www.joyofgivingweek.ning.com. With the JGW just 2 weeks away, there is'nt much time and we need to act fast if we are to make a bigger impact this year than last year.
Meanwhile here is another press report:
http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_give-in-to-the-pleasure-of-giving-selflessly_1437226
Friday, September 10, 2010
Usher in Hope
This blog has consciously refrained from commenting on political and current issues and restricted itself to motivating and inspiring people to participate in the Joy of Giving Week and experience joy through such giving. This is not because we shy away from discussing issues of national and human importance, but because we feel such discussion inevitably turns cynical and, cynicism is the last sentiment one would want associated with the JGW. The JGW has not been without its critics and one major and common criticism against the JGW is that it focusses on restricting giving to a week and not beyond that. This is however untrue. It is correct that we emphasise on and create awareness about the week long festival of giving but we do that hoping that those who choose to give, continue to do so much after the week is over, because of the joy they have experienced by giving time, money or other resources during the JGW.
Going back to what we began this post with, the current situation in India is far from rosy. With inflation at a high, food unavailable to all, the CVC speaking about corruption in both high places and amongst the ordinary Indian, rampant malaria, dengue and other infection spreading rapidly, doctors on strike, the trade unions on strike, schools turning into punsihment and suicide zones, we all need an event that ushers in hope, telling us that things can and will change. This change will come about only when we choose to bring it in. We can do that by beginning to empathise and by believing that all are equally worthy. The Joy of Giving Week, aims to do just that. Here there is a giver and a receiver, but the relationship is one of equals because both experience joy; a joy that comes from sharing, caring and reaching out. Experience that joy along with countless others, during the Joy of Giving Week 2010 and help us become a more humane country.
Meanwhile, here is a link to a write-up on the JGW events to be held in Pune this year
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-joy-of-giving-week-schedule-unveiled/679870/
Going back to what we began this post with, the current situation in India is far from rosy. With inflation at a high, food unavailable to all, the CVC speaking about corruption in both high places and amongst the ordinary Indian, rampant malaria, dengue and other infection spreading rapidly, doctors on strike, the trade unions on strike, schools turning into punsihment and suicide zones, we all need an event that ushers in hope, telling us that things can and will change. This change will come about only when we choose to bring it in. We can do that by beginning to empathise and by believing that all are equally worthy. The Joy of Giving Week, aims to do just that. Here there is a giver and a receiver, but the relationship is one of equals because both experience joy; a joy that comes from sharing, caring and reaching out. Experience that joy along with countless others, during the Joy of Giving Week 2010 and help us become a more humane country.
Meanwhile, here is a link to a write-up on the JGW events to be held in Pune this year
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-joy-of-giving-week-schedule-unveiled/679870/
Monday, September 6, 2010
Vastrasamman
One of the offerings to God during a Pooja in Hinduism, is the symbolic offering of Vastram. Here, pure cotton wool is made into a garland and offered to the deity. This is called Vastram meaning cloth. The exchange of clothes between the bride's family and the groom's family during weddings, probably stems from this. By gifting clothes, we are in a way according respect to the other person. Vastrasamman literally means 'respect through clothes', and this, is the basic idea behind the Vastrasamman campaign of Goonj. By clothing the unclad, Vastrasamman seeks to bestow dignity to the individual.
Goonj and its campaign is an integral part of JGW. The Vastrasamman initiative is on the face of it very simple; collect clothes from those who would like to donate and distribute to those in need. But the effort put in to collect and distribute is massive with collection centres in many cities and small towns. No piece of cloth is discarded. The hanky or small napkin we throw away, may be pieced together along with other small pieces, and may end up as a baby's diaper, a loin cloth or as a home made sanitary napkin. By recognising the immense need the poorest of the poor, especially the women, have for cloth as much as they have for clothes, Vastrasamman is in a way reaffirming the worth of every individual.
As we go through our wardrobes everyday, wondering what to wear to college or to work or to the party, discarding much of what we have as unsuitable, unfashionable, boring etc., let us spare a thought to those who have just one set of clothes or perhaps not even that and as we rush out to buy the perfect dress, let us resolve to give away what we do not use. Let that be our contribution to the JGW this year, that each time we buy a new outfit, we give away one old one. When we settle down to springclean our wardrobe, let us not hoard clothes for sentimental reasons or selfish reasons or for any reason whatsoever. Let us on the contrary give away all that we have not used and are not likely to use. That will truly give us Joy and can be our commitment to the Joy of Giving Week.
Goonj and its campaign is an integral part of JGW. The Vastrasamman initiative is on the face of it very simple; collect clothes from those who would like to donate and distribute to those in need. But the effort put in to collect and distribute is massive with collection centres in many cities and small towns. No piece of cloth is discarded. The hanky or small napkin we throw away, may be pieced together along with other small pieces, and may end up as a baby's diaper, a loin cloth or as a home made sanitary napkin. By recognising the immense need the poorest of the poor, especially the women, have for cloth as much as they have for clothes, Vastrasamman is in a way reaffirming the worth of every individual.
As we go through our wardrobes everyday, wondering what to wear to college or to work or to the party, discarding much of what we have as unsuitable, unfashionable, boring etc., let us spare a thought to those who have just one set of clothes or perhaps not even that and as we rush out to buy the perfect dress, let us resolve to give away what we do not use. Let that be our contribution to the JGW this year, that each time we buy a new outfit, we give away one old one. When we settle down to springclean our wardrobe, let us not hoard clothes for sentimental reasons or selfish reasons or for any reason whatsoever. Let us on the contrary give away all that we have not used and are not likely to use. That will truly give us Joy and can be our commitment to the Joy of Giving Week.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Spreading Awareness
With less than a month to go for the JGW, the media has begun to pay attention to the phenomenal success of the week and the potential it holds for impacting many lives. Recent media coverage on the JGW has been both generous and extensive. Yet, one does feel that the idea of JGW is as yet unknown to many. It is necessary to reach out to as many as possible because the more the numbers participating in the JGW, the more the numbers that will be helped. If each one of us can spread the message of JGW to at least 10 people who were unaware of it earlier and in turn ask them to share the idea with 10 each, then more awareness is created and enhanced participation is possible. The festive season is here and one could use the community celebration venues to spread awareness about JGW. Our impulse to give and to share is very strong during the festival season and one should therefore capitalise on this strong impulse to influence others to participate in the Joy of Giving Week. The website of the JGW shows that around 45 registered events are scheduled to be held as a part of the week, though many more would have been planned but not registered. We are sure that this is just the beginning and that the number of events held, the resources raised and the number of people impacted will surpass that of last year. However, it helps us when the events you plan are registered so that we have a ready record of the impact and more important, are in a position to formulate a strategy to reach out to more, thus spreading the message of the Joy of Giving Week.
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