Paneendra
The recent floods in Kodagu (Karnataka) and Kerala brought many people across the country together. It is common to see that during distress people unite and help each other. But if people who are affected by the deprivations themselves come out to help others who are affected by the disaster, then it should be appreciated.
Children collecting funds on the road
The above case of fine generosity was witnessed at Abhyudaya, a Bengaluru based free learning centres for the deprived children from slum areas. Children from 83 centres of Abhyudaya collected Rs 67, 000 from their neighbourhoods for the flood relief. They collected the amount from the same localities where they live. Small vegetable vendors, petty shops, small workshops who are the acquaintance of these children contributed a small amount from one to ten rupees.
Kids going to vegetable vendor for contributions, where many contributors were the parents of the children in the drive
More than the amount collected by the children their door to door campaign created a lot of awareness among the masses. Many adults got inspired by this act of the children. It is also a lesson for the leaders and the Government not to depend on any foreign aid. Bharat is a very big country and contribution from every individual can fund relief for any number of crises. Helping each other will unite people and in turn boost national integration. Children carried out placards with them with slogans on flood relief for Kerala and Kodagu. More than ten thousand houses contributed to the relief fund.
Abhyudaya Steered the Drive
Abhyudaya has more than 83 free learning centres in Bengaluru located mostly in lower income group settlements. Each centre has a volunteer teacher who is a college-going student from the same neighbourhood and coming from a lower income background.
Most of the children come from deprived backgrounds. Their parents work as labourers in unorganised sectors earning a very small amount of money. Mothers usually work as housemaids. But parents did not deny contribution when their children raised funds for flood relief. Some of them who contributed to the funds were roadside flower vendors, fruit vendors, hawkers, small tailors.
The little ones in Bengaluru taught a lesson to you about the richess of love and humanity
Weavers’ colony free learning centre collected Rs 4217, here very small weavers live. Madivala area children collected Rs 2048 here many migrants from neighbouring state live. Jnanagiri free learning centre collected Rs 18000. Ganapathipura is again an area where lower income people stay children here collected Rs 4440, Hongasandra children collected Rs 2000, Vader machine hall children collected Rs 1129, Vinobha Nagar children collected Rs 5868, Tippasandra children collected Rs 2895. Harinagara children collected Rs 2215, a very backward area in Bengaluru South. Sarakki children collected Rs 5162, Puttenahalli children collected Rs 1175, Gollahalli children collected Rs 1857. All these areas are places where very low-income people of Bangalore stay.
The flood relief fund collection drive was initiated and carried out in each centre by the volunteer students who are also the volunteer teachers in the centre. Many more people will get inspired to help others When people who are well to do come to know about this flood relief fund collection. India needs more such Abhyudaya where children are not only thought about subjects and moral values but are inspired to give back to society. Many big organisations came into being by small contributions by several people. Hence even a small contribution makes a big difference.
Bharat can be strong when people are starting giving back more for the nation. Children’s at Abhyudaya Bangalore have set a great example by giving back to the other needy people in spite of themselves being in need of help. Every contribution to reconstructing the flood-affected has an impact no matter how big or small it is. No Matter how big a calamity is, if all sections of society come together, reconstruction will not be difficult.
The amount was given to Sewa Bharati who is actively involved in rescue and rehabilitation of flood-affected people in Kodagu and Kerala.
(The writer is a volunteer for Abhyudaya based in Bengaluru)
