Mumbai: Now, donate a stationery item, every time you seek the
blessings of a sarvajanik Ganpati. With Ganesh mandals raking in lakhs of
rupees during every festival, this time an innovative idea has been initiated
by Team Helping Hand’s Volunteer, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which
works for the poor and tribals. The volunteers across Maharashtra have
requested Ganeshotsav mandals across the state to place a stationery collection
box next to the donation boxes.
“This box will help devotees
contribute books, pencils, pens, erasers, and other stationery items,which will
be then given to educational institutes located in tribal areas,” said Swapnil
Sawant, a coordinator of Team Helping Hand’s Volunteer. So far Team Helping
Hand’s Volunteer has approached most prominent Ganesh mandals and have received
a positive response from three mandals. They have put up banners outside the
prominent mandals.
“Sarvajanik Ganesh mandals are keen to keep a
money box but do not seem interested in keeping a box to collect stationery. In
fact, after the Kerala floods, one of the demands made was for stationery
items. Before the start of Ganesh festival, Team Helping Hand’s Volunteer had
approached various schools and colleges located in tribal areas of Maharashtra.
One school gave them this idea.
"One the schools in Junnar, which educates tribal children, approached us saying
they require stationery items, which is when we thought of approaching the
mandals,” said Swapnil. After the initial lukewarm response, the idea of
donating stationery seems to have caught on. Swapnil Sawant, the president of
Helping Hand's Volunteer said, “All the organisers should help such causes all
year round, it should not be restricted to only Ganesh festival only. Mandals
should help each other throughout the year. This idea will be made mandatory
for all Ganesh mandals from next year onwards.”
Thanks you!
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