In the week-long celebrations beginning October 2, a large number of people have already pledged their support for the cause. Aarti Madhusudan, the Chennai co-ordinator for Daan Utsav, was busy at Co-optex, where a live demo of weaving by children with special needs was held. “Around 40-50 NGOs have come forward to give back to the deserving in their own way. The programmes kicked off on October 2 by recognising the actual Swachh Bharat workers. Various organisations, schools and colleges came forward to serve Chennai’s cleanliness workers an elai saapadu and honoured them with a medal for their service,” she says.  

   

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has offered space across their petrol bunks to several social causes and NGOs to engage the public in acts of giving. “NGOs like Maithree, Tanker Foundation, No Food Waste, and others will be seen in bunks promoting their cause and reaching out to the public. Kids below five years from Euro Kids will do acts of giving (like wish trees, donations) and volunteering in old-age homes,” 

adds Aarti.

Maithree, an association of parents of exceptional children, has collaborated with Co-optex and is showcasing the weaving talents of children with special needs. John Rajkumar, secretary of Maithree, says, “Until October 8, from 4 pm to 7.30 pm, young weavers from Maithree will demonstrate their weaving skills.  The primary objective of this initiative is to create awareness in the society that the persons with special needs also possess many skills. We’ve Co-optex as a platform as they represent the weaving community and our children are no different.”

Another noteworthy campaign during the festival is by Ekam Foundation. They will reach out to 32 districts across Tamil Nadu with a slew of activities. “Volunteers will visit one panchayat in each district and train people on first aid and clean up the local health centres. Their motive is to involve the community in acts of volunteering and giving,” says Aarti.