The first ever Joy of Giving Week, has officially ended. For those of us who have been involved with the week in some capacity, either organising, looking after the publicity, or involved with one of those campaigns to create awareness, it is as if there's a vaccum in our lives, for much of our 'waking thoughts' was related to the Joy of Giving Week. In the weeks to come, we will take stock of the feedback we receive, and perhaps brainstorm about how we can make the Joy of Giving Week, bigger and better next year.
Meanwhile, we would like to thank all those who made it their mission to inspire, to share, to give and to thank. To them we say, Thank you for the support. To those who found themselves unable to participate this year, we say, come and experience the rewards of belonging to a 'giving community'. If you would like to share with us your experiences, ideas, do mail us at jgw@giveindia.org.
We meet next in 2010, to celebrate the Joy of Giving Week, from 26th Sept. tp 3rd oct., 2010.
Thank You for being there for us and please do continue to give.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
3rd Oct., Day 7
The final day of the Joy of Giving Week, and we share with you a story that captures the essence and spirit of the week; a story of joyous and wholehearted giving, of expressing thanks. Mr.Sridhar and his family decided to express their thanks to the autodriver who had ferried the former's daughter to school. They invited the autodriver and his family home and besides serving them a sumptous lunch, also gave them some gifts. The smiles on the faces of the autodrivers children as they receive the gifts, says it all; the surprise, the pleasure, the joy.These stories of ordinary citizens going out of their way to spread joy in the lives of others, are an inspiration for us. They speak to us of sharing and caring, of walking that extra mile to bring a smile to another's face, make other lives a little easier, by helping them carry their burdens. In the days to come, we look forward to more participants write in with their stories of joy and hope, and we will feature them on this blog, so that we may all learn to inspire, to share, to give and to thank.
Friday, October 2, 2009
2nd Oct., Day 6
There is enough in this world for everyone's need, not everyone's greed. (Mahatma Gandhi)
Day 6 of the Joy of Giving Week, and it is also Gandhi Jayanthi. It is ironical that 16 people have been massacred by Naxalites in Bihar today. In this background, when one writes about the Joy of Giving Week, one wonders what Gandhiji would have thought of the idea of devoting a week to giving . He is sure to have appreciated it, for very few have given back as he has.
Akanksha, Mumbai, that works with underprivileged children, has earmarked today as Volunteer Day and has invited all who would like to, to share their skills and time with children.
In Patiala, Avneet Kaur, along with a group of friends will be treating underprivileged children to a free movie and snacks. Hopefully in the interaction that is likely to happen between the children and the volunteers, lives connect and change positively.
SASWAT in Orissa, also has volunteering as its aim today and members of the organisation plan to spend their day at a senior citizens' home.
It is fitting that all these events are based on the Gandhian principles of peace, non-violence, sharing and giving back to the community.While all these efforts are laudable, one also hopes fervently that we are able to sustain this giving and sharing. If Mahatma Gandhi were alive today, his message to us would be to give and continue to give. Let us pledge to do so both today and for all the days to come. giving can and should continue even when the Joy of Giving Week has come to an end.
Day 6 of the Joy of Giving Week, and it is also Gandhi Jayanthi. It is ironical that 16 people have been massacred by Naxalites in Bihar today. In this background, when one writes about the Joy of Giving Week, one wonders what Gandhiji would have thought of the idea of devoting a week to giving . He is sure to have appreciated it, for very few have given back as he has.
Akanksha, Mumbai, that works with underprivileged children, has earmarked today as Volunteer Day and has invited all who would like to, to share their skills and time with children.
In Patiala, Avneet Kaur, along with a group of friends will be treating underprivileged children to a free movie and snacks. Hopefully in the interaction that is likely to happen between the children and the volunteers, lives connect and change positively.
SASWAT in Orissa, also has volunteering as its aim today and members of the organisation plan to spend their day at a senior citizens' home.
It is fitting that all these events are based on the Gandhian principles of peace, non-violence, sharing and giving back to the community.While all these efforts are laudable, one also hopes fervently that we are able to sustain this giving and sharing. If Mahatma Gandhi were alive today, his message to us would be to give and continue to give. Let us pledge to do so both today and for all the days to come. giving can and should continue even when the Joy of Giving Week has come to an end.
1st Oct., Day 5
Day 5 and some major events sheduled across cities: CSR Bridge 2009, an ambitious partnership between changemakers and decision makers, looking at inclusive growth, to be held in Delhi. Its mandate is to, "catalyze social change, giving impetus to developing India." It aims to do this by organising a conference "which will bring together Government leaders, Representatives of Industry, Heads of Foundations, International persons inclined to CSR missions and representatives of most effective NGOs to discuss the key issues, challenges & innovative solutions for the development sector"
A Joybazar would also be organised as a part of the CSR Bridge, giving an opportunity for NGOs to showcase their projects.
Meanwhile the Battle of the Buffet kicks off in Chennai today, with leading 5 star hotels and top restaurants cooking for a cause, by hosting a fundraiser for NGOs. A donor who makes a donation of Rs 5K to an NGO will be given an invite to this event. There is no cost to the NGO.
The other much looked for event to be held today is the Styles for Smiles, in Mumbai,where CEOs walk the ramp to raise funds. One of the unique factors of the Joy of Giving Week, besides the idea, is the manner in which it has truly turned into a 'pan India ' movement where everybody from a "paanwallah to a billionaire" has been able to participate. We had autodrivers doing Annadaanam, in Chennai 2 days ago and we have CEOs of bluechip companies walking the ramp today, all for the same cause. It can happen only in India. We are like this only. Truly we know the Joy of Giving.
A Joybazar would also be organised as a part of the CSR Bridge, giving an opportunity for NGOs to showcase their projects.
Meanwhile the Battle of the Buffet kicks off in Chennai today, with leading 5 star hotels and top restaurants cooking for a cause, by hosting a fundraiser for NGOs. A donor who makes a donation of Rs 5K to an NGO will be given an invite to this event. There is no cost to the NGO.
The other much looked for event to be held today is the Styles for Smiles, in Mumbai,where CEOs walk the ramp to raise funds. One of the unique factors of the Joy of Giving Week, besides the idea, is the manner in which it has truly turned into a 'pan India ' movement where everybody from a "paanwallah to a billionaire" has been able to participate. We had autodrivers doing Annadaanam, in Chennai 2 days ago and we have CEOs of bluechip companies walking the ramp today, all for the same cause. It can happen only in India. We are like this only. Truly we know the Joy of Giving.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
30th Sept., Day 4
" I will be Mr.Dependable, to those who have nobody to depend on." that is Rahul Dravid on Day 4 of the Joy of Giving Week. This statement embodies the spirit of the week and makes the commitment between the giver and the receiver very clear and categorical, in a sense saying, that this is not a one time relationship, but an ongoing one.
This in essence is what the India Giving Challenge is aiming at, by bringing together corporates with a desire to help and NGOs that need funds to carryout its activities. The Challenge has raised around 20lakhs so far, no small amount, considering that the economic climate is not particularly rosy. A spirit of healthy competition has been infused into the spirit of giving in the India Giving Challenge with prizes announced for the corporate that donates the most and the NGO that raises the most funds. Besides, the whole system is very transparent and all details are made available on the India Giving pages. http://http://www.giveindia.org/t-india-giving-challenge.aspx
In all this joy of giving, there is also a sobering thought that not all the NGOs are able to raise funds. In fact some have not managed to raise a single rupee. One really needs to introspect as to the reasons for this.
Meanwhile The Economic Times today carries an interesting write-up on Style for Smiles, another event to be held tomorrow as a part of the Joy of Giving Week, besides taking a tongue in cheek look at what the Ad agencies and their clients would gift each other as a part of the week. http://http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Brand-Equity/Give-Take/articleshow/5070423.cms
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
29th Sept., Day 3
Too many problems and it is rather impossible to get rid of all of them, therefore every individual should change themself, No man is perfect, but if from childhood to adulthood, if everyone could change atleast one thing, the world would be a wonderful place.
Who do you think could have said these words? An adult motivational speaker, a spiritual leader, a teacher...? Wrong, wrong, wrong. These are the words used by children who have registered for the Design For Giving Event for schools. These are children from the small state of Uttarakhand (Greenway Seri Secondary School) and this is what they are attempting to change. Children have learnt what we adults have forgotten, that change has to come from within and if each of us changed, the world would surely be a better place.
Going through the website of Design For Giving http://http://www.joyofgivingweek.org/children is a wonderful experience and gives one a lot of hope that with young minds like these, life in our country can only get better. The problems these young minds are attempting to solve, range from cleanliness of the environment, recycling, controlling pollution, to doing what is also of prime importance to them, discipline in schools and changing the behaviour of the significant adults in their lives.
A government school in Bangalore, has found a solution to keeping their school clean while simultaneously indulging in their love for creating with waste. The students approached the community to donate old newspapers which was willingly done. Armed with paper, the students no longer tore pages from their notebooks and learnt to create with the old newspapers. This is the manner in which solutions are to be found: use the resources of the community within the community. It is fascinating to go through the ideas the children have and one hopes that they get all the support they deserve to ensure that they are able to implement them. One hopes that the spirit of change that has been kindled in the children, continues long after the Joy of Giving Week has come to an end. When we adults, decide to support the young, a positive change can be sustained.
Who do you think could have said these words? An adult motivational speaker, a spiritual leader, a teacher...? Wrong, wrong, wrong. These are the words used by children who have registered for the Design For Giving Event for schools. These are children from the small state of Uttarakhand (Greenway Seri Secondary School) and this is what they are attempting to change. Children have learnt what we adults have forgotten, that change has to come from within and if each of us changed, the world would surely be a better place.
Going through the website of Design For Giving http://http://www.joyofgivingweek.org/children is a wonderful experience and gives one a lot of hope that with young minds like these, life in our country can only get better. The problems these young minds are attempting to solve, range from cleanliness of the environment, recycling, controlling pollution, to doing what is also of prime importance to them, discipline in schools and changing the behaviour of the significant adults in their lives.
A government school in Bangalore, has found a solution to keeping their school clean while simultaneously indulging in their love for creating with waste. The students approached the community to donate old newspapers which was willingly done. Armed with paper, the students no longer tore pages from their notebooks and learnt to create with the old newspapers. This is the manner in which solutions are to be found: use the resources of the community within the community. It is fascinating to go through the ideas the children have and one hopes that they get all the support they deserve to ensure that they are able to implement them. One hopes that the spirit of change that has been kindled in the children, continues long after the Joy of Giving Week has come to an end. When we adults, decide to support the young, a positive change can be sustained.
Monday, September 28, 2009
28th Sept., Day 2
The second day of the Joy of Giving Week, and it is also Vijay Dasami.. Good has triumphed over evil, the effigy of Ravan will be burnt, Maa durga will return to her home for another year, the display of dolls (Golu), ends today, the Navratri festival will culminate in Mysore today and the Gagra Cholis and dandias will be packed and put away in Gujarat. But in the tiny state of Himachal Pradesh, Dassera begins in Kulu today. In a sense, there is a continuity of the celebration and so it is with the festival of giving, it does not and should not end with the week.
The second day of the Joy of Giving Week, and NDTV has planned to air a special interview with Nandita Das and Imtiaz Ali, who will be talking to Prannoy Roy tonight. Nandita Das has been a vociferous supporter of the Joy of Giving Week and has committed enough of her time already to the cause. As she says: "The JGW is a small pot, and if filled with every drop that we have, it can make a big difference. ........ the festival belongs to each one of us and yet belongs to no one in particular."
The second day of the Joy of Giving Week and the auction on e-bay, for Sachin's coaching skills, Love Aaj Kal's memorablia is hotting up. The auction for Shadow a CEO, has ended and has raked in over 6lakhs, a good amount considering the bidders were all students. Meanwhile, the Vastra Samman project initiated by Goonj, is proving to be very popular amongst the givers and many have come forward to donate clothes for charity. The autodrivers in Chennai, showed the softer side of their character as they did Annadaanam to over 500 people yesterday, contributing their own money for the cause.
Joyfest, the giving festival for youth has over 85 colleges registered and the power of youth to spread the message of giving throughout the week is immense. If colleges are contributing, can schools be far behind! Over a thousand schools from across the country have registered for the Design for Giving Contest. When the young get together for a good cause, then a transformation takes place and the cause prospers. We are looking forward to this happening with the Joy of Giving Week and hope we learn from them to care more. And we end this post with a sense of anticipation as to what Day 3 of the Joy of Giving Week will bring.
The second day of the Joy of Giving Week, and NDTV has planned to air a special interview with Nandita Das and Imtiaz Ali, who will be talking to Prannoy Roy tonight. Nandita Das has been a vociferous supporter of the Joy of Giving Week and has committed enough of her time already to the cause. As she says: "The JGW is a small pot, and if filled with every drop that we have, it can make a big difference. ........ the festival belongs to each one of us and yet belongs to no one in particular."
The second day of the Joy of Giving Week and the auction on e-bay, for Sachin's coaching skills, Love Aaj Kal's memorablia is hotting up. The auction for Shadow a CEO, has ended and has raked in over 6lakhs, a good amount considering the bidders were all students. Meanwhile, the Vastra Samman project initiated by Goonj, is proving to be very popular amongst the givers and many have come forward to donate clothes for charity. The autodrivers in Chennai, showed the softer side of their character as they did Annadaanam to over 500 people yesterday, contributing their own money for the cause.
Joyfest, the giving festival for youth has over 85 colleges registered and the power of youth to spread the message of giving throughout the week is immense. If colleges are contributing, can schools be far behind! Over a thousand schools from across the country have registered for the Design for Giving Contest. When the young get together for a good cause, then a transformation takes place and the cause prospers. We are looking forward to this happening with the Joy of Giving Week and hope we learn from them to care more. And we end this post with a sense of anticipation as to what Day 3 of the Joy of Giving Week will bring.
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