Indore: Diwali, the festival of light and prosperity, does not literally carry the meaning for all in our society, as unprivileged can’t celebrate the festival in the way other do. However, making the festival happier even for those, the Race Course Road Morning Walkers’ Group has been sharing happiness in form of ration for the poor to light up their houses and to eliminate the darkness of worries.
As part of their annual activity, which the group has been following for last eight years, on Sunday, a 40-member team distributed as many as 1050 ration packets of at least 15 kg each to the needy, along with clothes to the children. According to the members, the group has been spreading happiness for the unprivileged ‘silently’ and ‘systematically’.
Sushil Mehta, one of the members of the group, said “This was the eighth year when we distributed ration packets to the needy. We distribute these packets on the Sunday before Diwali, every year.”
The ‘significant’ way of celebrating the festival is the brainchild of Rajesh Chordia, who motivated the group members for the same, eight years ago. “We had started distributing happiness with 200 packets initially and now we have distributed 1050 packets. It not only gives us happiness but also the sense of responsibility towards the society,” Mehta said. Among other members, Vijay Samota and Satish Pawecha too have immense contribution in making the entire activity successful.
Simple ‘funda’ of collecting funds
Group members are not only philanthropic but they also use simple management ‘funda’ to implement and execute the planning properly. “We do not collect the fund on a single day but throughout the year. We use to wish the group members on their birthday or anniversaries and collect the amount whatever they want to donate. In this way, we collect the amount from 40 members and open the box 15 days prior to Diwali,” Mehta said. Large number of people also expressed will to join the initiative but the group kept it close to maintain the decency and truthfulness.
What’s in the packet?
The Race Course Road Morning Walkers’Group decided to include at least everything which can make them celebrate a hassle free Diwali without worries to have the ration. “Each packet includes 5 kg of flour, 1 kg besan, 1 kg dal, 1 kg rice, 1 kg ghee, 1 kg oil, 1 kg jiggery, 1 kg poha, 1 kg rawa , 1 kh maida and other necessary edibles,” Mehta said. Group members also share light moments with each other while packing the stuff. “We use to collect the ration at one place and use to make packets every night after completing our work. We have developed a strong bonding with each other with the practice,” he added.
Distribution system
Sushil Mehta said, “We also have system of distributing the packets to keep it transparent. We distribute limited coupons to the group members which they give to the needy people including guards, sweeper, maids and slum residents.” After the limited distribution, group members distribute grains to those left. Mehta appealed to the people, on behalf of the group, to celebrate the festival in true sense by bringing happiness and prosperity to the house of needy which assures prosperity and wealth in your own house.
