26/11: Looking Back, Looking Ahead 5

Sayantani Dutta, a lawyer by profession, has been part of the core team members since our inception. She has been hands on in documentation and making home visits to the bereaved. This is what she has to say:

This day last year started on a very ordinary note...my mother was in town, so left work early to spend time with her. Hardly had I reached home that I started getting calls from friends asking me where I was, and whether I was safe. Confused about the reason for this string of calls, I switched on the television to see the madness that had engulfed the part of town I had been in only an hour ago, and where a lot of my friends and loved ones were still stuck. One was stuck in office in Express Towers right next to the Trident, another was stuck in Kalaghoda, a third was in Leopold and a fourth had managed to get away from Leopold just as firing began. Once I was done checking with all my friends, I sat glued in front of the television watching the landmarks in my adopted city burning under seige. Somewhere in the middle of all this, got to know that the managing partner of our firm, a well loved and brilliant lawyer, was inside the Trident and had possibly been killed. This was confirmed the next day.

I was enraged, upset and directionless...didn't know what to do. Then I got to know about about India Helps and how you were collecting money for Sunita Yadav..pitched in. Then I heard about the first meeting, couldn't make it there, but set out with Nihas to meet the people on his list. Don't know what to make of it, but both people I met in this connection were looking to make a quick buck out of the tragedy...I suppose that's not something to be taken to heart, but it did affect me then.

Today, I am proud to be associated with India Helps, and people like Karuna (Waghela) and Balaji (Kharatmal) humble me. It is amazing how they have faced the situation head on and have largely succeded in bringing back a semblance of normalcy into their lives. It is also amazing how a group of people from different positions in life have come together for a common cause, and have actually managed to make a difference in the lives of the people they interacted with.

But amongst all this, it is a little disheartening to see that the more things change, the more they remain the same. Today, one year after the attacks, none of the policy changes have materialised. We, as a people, have not really done much. I for one have not. I did not vote, because I wasn't registered in Maharashtra and the transfer of my voter id card did not happen in time for me to vote. I allowed two people looking to make a quick buck to affect me to an extent that I became cynical about our ability to help and let pass an opportunity to help others who really needed it. For all this I feel guilty...and angered. So the anger has not really ebbed in the past one year.
Sayantani Dutta
Lawyer
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(Pic courtesy The Hindu)

Salma Thakray

The name of the deceased is Sunil Ashok Thakray, aged about 30 years and prior to his death on November 26, 2008, he was a vendor, whose stall was located opposite one of the gates of CST station. He was killed in the CST shootout as the militants were leaving the CST premises.

He is survived by his partner Salma Thakray and her two children from a previous marriage, aged 9 and 7 years respectively.

Immediately after Sunil's death, the family situation was fairly grim, with Salma having neither any money nor any source of livelihood. She also had no relatives to fall back upon. Further, as Sunil and Salma had not been legally married, chances of Salma being able to claim compensation of any sort from any of the government agencies or a jo0b on compassionate grounds also seemed fairly bleak. The children were however provided for and were studying in a charitable boarding school in Panvel. Prior to Sunil's death, the couple stayed in a one room hutment in Dombivili, which Salma had to leave as she had no money for the rent after Sunil's death. She was not professionally qualified or educated and was not doing anything when Sunil was alive. She was not employed anywhere and had no regular source of livelihood.

Her immediate requirements were a house, a stable means of livelihood and a mobile phone in order to ensure accessibility. Her long term requirements included a ration card and a bank account to enable her to save for her children.

Prior to India Helps intervention, she'd received Rs. 15,000 from the Railways as funeral expenses.

This case was handled by Sayantani Dutta from India Helps. India Helps was involved primarily in providing her with monetary aid – a team member bought her a mobile phone and a connection in order to ensure that she could be easily contacted. We also provided her with monetary aid in order in order to help her pay the deposit for a house.

26/11: Looking Back, Looking Ahead 4

Sangeeta Irani, India Helps member, is our straight-talking,fund-raising whiz. With over 20 years' experience in communications, this president of an ad firm checks the veracity of India Helps cases by making home and hospital visits, actively raises funds and, in her own words, tries to help victims lead a better life. This is her piece:

It could have been me, no one was safe. These were my first thoughts. As I watched them attack my city, my country, I changed. I was angry and I wanted to do something that proved that those cowards failed. If they thought we would be scared they were wrong. This country, its people will only help each other and come out stronger. That is all.

I started alone in the wards of the JJ hospital, meeting victims and talking to doctors. I soon realized that alone was not enough. This needs people who give time, not just money. Along the way, I found India Helps. We started with 26/11 and have now morphed into something larger. India Helps has only had to post an appeal and people across the world help with money and time.

I met Poonam Singh and her husband Santosh Singh. Poonam was injured with bullets at CST and had lost mobility. I went to a slum at Vikhroli and it was hard. Hard to understand how people lived with so little and were so content. We got Dr. Vaibhav Patil to give generously of his time to give Poonam and conduct physiotherapy at her home. We mobilized financial help so that the family could move to the base of the slum. This means Poonam would not need to climb uphill. Her knee still buckles sometimes, but she walks. Sachin, her son has lost movement in a finger and we are in the process of finding a solution. I am happy when I hear Poonam is walking, or that the Taj Trust is training her.

I have a lot to be grateful for, including a family that does not grudge the time I put in. This one year has taught me that life is unpredictable. However, how we react is up to us. Most of all, I have the satisfaction of knowing - it is possible to actually step out and help. That I have met a bunch of lovely people at India Helps is a bonus.

For me, 26/11 is the day we got angry. It’s the day they failed to shatter our fortitude.

Sangeeta Irani

***

Case Update

The Singh Family


1. Name of the deceased/ injured, occupation and approximate monthly earnings at the time of the casualty:

Poonam Singh - 34 years old
Sachin Singh – 7 years old

No one died in this case, but they were injured – enough for life to change for the family. Poonam is a housewife and a mother to 4 children. She therefore cooked, cleaned the home, got water, washed clothes and is a mother and a wife. Poonam earns nothing but if anyone else had to do her work it would cost the family.

Sachin is a student.

(ii) Where did the casualty occur:

At CST station. Poonam was with her son and was going to her father's village to attend a function. Both Poonam and Sachin were injured. Sachin heard some noise and ran, Poonam ran to get him. She was hit by bullets and was unconscious. When she regained consciousness, she was immobile and at JJ hospital. Sachin was also at the hospital.

(iii) Dependents (number and details):
Husband Santosh Singh and 4 children, including Sachin

(iv) Details of the situation at that time:

IH met her first at the JJ Hospital on the day she was leaving. She was the last 26/11 case at JJ . It was February and she was not able to walk independently. The doctors told her that with therapy, she would walk eventually . In the interim she would start with a walker, do physiotherapy . Poonam lived in a slum on a slope and walking on a hilly area was a daily affair. The inability to walk meant she could not move out of the 5x5 foot home- not even to the communal toilets.

Her daughter missed school and between the husband and the daughter they managed the home. The daughter missed out on over 3 months of school and thus lost a year in education. At eleven, she also lost her childhood.

Sachin seemed fine but post 26/11 Santosh Singh said his son was rebelling and not listening to them as much as before. He also lost mobility in one finger and has a visible big bump on left hand .

(v) IH contact:

Sangeeta Irani

(vi) Details of help/ support provided by IH:

Donated a Walker, paid a visit to her home at Vikhroli. Networked to get her a doctor who could come to the slum to teach her the required exercises. Godrej Hospital did that twice and then we got Dr. V. Patil who comes once a month and helps the family. India Helps promised to help with increased rent if the family found a home at the base of the slum, as this would help Poonam walk more and hence recover faster.

IH asked and generated support for 11 months of rent and reimbursement for a few medical bills. We are now helping with doctor visits and x-rays for Sachin . We are seeking a second opinion to figure if we can revive the finger. We will also seek guidance for plastic surgery and be with the family through the process.

(vii) Media coverage:

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=2&contentid=2009092620090926020025406b92cb628

http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?661360

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/railway-announcer-who-saved-over-1-000-lives/477577/

(viii) Present situation:

To assist with the direction of Sachin's treatment; Poonam to continue the physiotherapy; provide monetary help for part payment of rent for a year.

(ix) Status of the case:

Help continuing until Nov. 2010

Part payment of rent for a year for Poonam Singh. To review her case after a year.

Payment for medicines as required .

Surgery and doctor consultation fees, X-rays etc for Sachin.

(x) Future requirements:

For Sachin, surgery as required

26/11: Looking Back, Looking Ahead 3

Parul Sharma, India Helps core team member is the celebrity author in our team, with her book Bringing Up Vasu out recently. She has been part of the team since the first day we met up, and has provided vital support on the Momina Khatoon case, and the Salma Thackeray case amongst others. Here is what she has to say:

I think I will remember 26/11 and the subsequent days as the darkest I have known in my life. As an Indian who sees tragedies and ill-managed disasters being reported every day from every corner of my country, I thought that somewhere I had developed a thick skin over my conscience. The carnage on 26/11, the unprecedented levels of violence, the systematic way in which innocents were killed, so close to where I was sitting watching my television affected me in a way that I did not think was possible anymore. I mourned the loss of those lives, I wept as the dead bodies were brought out, my heart swelled in pride at the people who laid their lives to protect their fellowmen and a little later when all that was left was a sense of deep loss and grief, I wanted to reach out and help in any way that I could. In other words, I felt as millions of others did.
India Helps was a small representation of those millions, a fragment of the larger whole. Today, I belong to this group with a sense of pride and it has helped me contribute in my own small way to my country and to my fellow Indians.

Parul Sharma
Author

26/11: Looking Back, Looking Ahead 2

Aparna Nair was among the core team of members who met on the very first day the India Helps team came together last December, spending an hour pouring over the list of the dead and injured at CST. Aparna, a lawyer by profession, has been earnestly working with Momina Khatoon over the past year.

This is what she has to say about her journey:

A year has gone by since 26/11, the dreadful day. Every Mumbaikar will always remember this day. It has been engraved into our minds. But 26/11 brought a group of us together who wanted to do something, help those who have suffered.
It has been a year since I met Momina, the wife of the taxi driver whose husband died in the Vile Parle Bomb Blast. From the day I met her till today she has changed a lot. Initially she was a heart broken women who knew she couldn't leave the city to ensure her children get an education. The news of her fourth pregnancy came a week or two later, after her bereavement.
She has emerged stronger over the past year, with each meeting I have had with her. She has learnt how to use the mobile. She knows how to dial and reach me. She has
been speaking boldly to all people who have come to meet her regarding her finances and the help she needs.
Earlier when we would counsel her about the need to stand on her feet and become financially independent, she would brush the topic aside, but today she has taken small steps towards the same. She has started gajra making independently. I think every incident in life makes you stronger and that is what 26/11 did to Momina.
I think 26/11 taught me that I need to thank God for everything I have and learn to value everything we have.
Aparna Nair








*********************************
(Picture courtesy TOI)

Case Update
Momina Khatoon Sheikh


(i) Name of the deceased/ injured, occupation and approximate monthly earnings at the time of the casualty:
Deceased: Mohammed Umar Abdul Khalid Sheikh, (35) Taxi driver. Earnings approximately Rs 4,000-5,000 per month.

(ii) Where did the casualty occur:
Killed in the taxi explosion in Vile Parle

(iii) Dependents (number and details)
Wife: Momina Khatoon Sheikh (30), Children: Arbaz (7 yrs), Faizal (4) and Afzal (2 yrs) and the baby boy (3 months).

(iv) Details of the situation at that time:
Momina was new to the city, having arrived in Mumbai only 8 months ago. The family stayed in a small room in Govandi with a monthly rent of Rs. 1500. Eldest child had joined school. She was pregnant, without savings and had no immediate means of supporting herself, not being trained in any specific vocation. She needed medical attention as well as moral and financial support. Was dependent upon the money given by people when they visit her and the money received from the Government.
• Housing
• Treatment and medical expenses.
• Education of the children.
• Interim help with daily expenses – rent and groceries.
• Long term solution for expenses and livelihood.

(v) Details of help/ support provided by IH: Hearing of Momina’s plight in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks, India Helps went to meet Momina to work out her exact and immediate needs. Immediate fund raising efforts were started, through the blog, word of mouth and using the media. It helped her pay for her monthly house rent and groceries, and also proposed and followed up on the status of her case at the Taj Trust. IH provided medical assistance for Momina’s pre and post-natal care in the form of doctor’s visits, regular counselling and follow-up visits.

(vi) Media coverage:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/taxi-drivers-family-awaits-help-after-losin/394354/
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/15/stories/2008121558941200.htm
http://mumbaipluses.com/chemburghatkoparplus/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=1&contentid=2009020720090205171559904ff69d9f5&sectxslt=&comments=true&pageno=1

India Helps Thanks Dr Patil once again....

http://www.punemirror.in/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=2&contentid=20091126200911260143410011f244d7&sectxslt=

Update on Poonam Singh

This in from Sangeeta:

Poonam's son, Yash, who is all of three years old refuses to go to her (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOINEW/navigator.asp?Daily=TOIM&showST=true&login=default&pub=TOI). We need some one to counsel at the slum because Santosh has one day holiday a week. The kid will not go near Poonam. And Santosh's father is 85 years old ...so he can't take anyone anywhere. I asked him why he did not tell me (about Yash's silence) and he said he assumed I knew it!

Santosh said that Poonam now has learnt to travel by train and changes two trains and travels alone to go to the Taj Training (Poonam Singh is being trained by the Taj Trust for a housekeeping job). He was happy and told me she is much stronger. Yes, her knee may buckle occasionally.

I asked him directly about the medical issues (he has been quoted in the Times of India report saying medical bills are mounting) and he said there are no great bills. Whatever problems they have they go to local doctor.

Edited to add: IH has collected funds directly in Santosh Singh's name for his home rent to enable Poonam Singh move to a lower level home from the hillock they lived in at Vikhroli, and is seeking medical help for their elder son, Sachin who has a finger injury that still needs treatment. We are also looking for counsellors who would be willing to make pro bono visits to Vikhroli to counsel 3 year old Yash.

Update on Momina

This fresh in from Aparna:
Yesterday morning after I read the news (of the extortion threats) in the Mumbai Mirror, I immediately spoke to Momina. She was very surprised to know that I had heard of the news. She was not aware that the news had been published in the papers. She was
mentioning to me that since the first of this month there has been media people doing the rounds of her house. The meetings with these people start at 10 and end only by 5 in the evening.

I asked her that if she has been getting threatening calls since three months how come she did not even mentioned it once, she said she was scared and did not want to tell too many people. She has mentioned it to some person close to her house who has also been lending support to her. So I guess from there it reached the media.

Also her money is still with some chacha (Momina has given the compensation amount she received to a relative who has promised her interest) and she will get the money back this month and she is planning to put it in the bank or invest in some property.

I personally feel there is a lot of communication gap, as in, she is not able to communicate her thoughts properly to people and people also understand differently.

India Helps in the Mumbai Mirror today

On Page 24, in an article on Dr Vaibhav Patil helping Poonam Singh, and on Page 29, in an article on agents of change. Will upload the links as soon as I find them....

India Helps in the news

http://www.dnaindia.com/speakup/report_where-do-we-stand-a-year-after-the-carnage_1316576

26/11: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Welcome. Today marks the anniversary of our raison d'etre. Truth be told, we couldn't see this far ahead when we began our individual journeys a year ago to come together as India Helps. We only knew we had to do what needed to be done at the time, put one foot ahead of the other, stayed firm, committed and tenacious, and here we are, still functional, still together and more hopeful than ever.

Beginning today, all the way up to our team's first anniversary on December 3rd, we will share our personal journeys with you--lessons learned, moments recaptured, and our wishes for the months ahead. We invite you to read about the lives that have become much more than "cases" to us and earnestly request your continued support so that Team India Helps remains true to its name and mission.

****

Kiran Manral's Story (Founder)

I had just tucked the child into bed, and was about to drift off to sleep myself, when I got a message from a friend in Kolkata, "Kiran, stay indoors, stay safe." I jumped up. "What's wrong?" I messaged back. "Switch on the television, Mumbai's under siege," she replied. And I did. And I sat catatonic in front the television set for three continuous days. Unable to tear my eyes off the screen.

I could feel my heart getting numbed. I saw television channels going mad, human desperation stared me in the face, hope died, horror swamped the city. The phone lines were jammed. Friends, their siblings trapped in the Trident, their lives hanging on the line with intermittent SMSes assuring their families that they were still alive and well. The blasts, the sound of gunfire, the visuals of a calm and collected Hemant Karkare putting on his bullet proof vest and checking the small pistol in his hand before going after the terrorists who had just fled CST gave me momentary hope. He seemed like a man who would get the job done. The newsflash that he was killed had me lose all hope. I broke down when I saw the Taj Mahal dome go up in flames. I hugged my son when I saw baby Moshe bawling as he was brought out from Nariman House. A slow rage built up in me as I saw the visuals of the bodies being brought out from CST. The only fault of the victims was being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It could have been me. It could have been mine.

I have never felt as helpless in my life as I did those three days. It was a nightmare that I experienced vicariously, but which has shaken me to the core. I needed to do something. What could I, an ordinary citizen, with no resources, no contacts, and no influence do to help? I could try. I visited Karuna Waghela's home. There was chaos. There was no money for the funeral rites. I went back and sent across some funds. I sent in some groceries. That was the start of India Helps.

I began a blog. I posted details of victims/bereaved and pointed readers/fellow bloggers towards them. I asked kind souls to help out, to send in funds, groceries. People opened their hearts and their souls. People wanted to give more than just a signed cheque. They wanted to visit the victims, to hold their hands in condolence and solidarity. They wanted to offer them a shoulder to cry on. Within a week, I had people write in wanting to be part of the India Helps team. We met. We had a list of CST victims with us. We distributed responsibilities amongst us, a group of strangers, connected only through a collective grief, and went out searching these victims and their next of kin. We went into slums, into areas of the city we had never visited. We offered help. Anyway we could. We were never turned away.

We met all kinds of people. People who genuinely needed help, people who tried to take advantage of our help, people who were milking their tragedy for all it was worth, and those who were resolute and brave and stoic. I was humbled by those, women like Karuna Waghela, who rose from their grief to carve an independent life for themselves. Families like that of Bhanu Narkar, who were gracious in their grief, and reluctant to accept financial help. Children like Ganesh, who were forced to grow up before their time and become the head of the household.

A year down the line, my anger still burns strong. Each time I read about Kasab's trial my heart aches for all those who lost their lives at his hands.

But I have hope. I know that people are not apathetic. That people will rise to help. Whenever needed. And that is the spirit that no terrorist can ever kill.

A story of an unsung hero

The horror of 26/11 was experienced the most keenly by India Helps team member, Suma. Her father was in the Oberoi during the entire terror attack. Read more about his valour here:

 

http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/105858/unsung-2611-hero-oberoi-secuity-head-risked-life-to-save-many.html

 

We are proud of you, Sir.

Update on Sachin Singh

This update from Sangeeta:

We have an appointment with Dr Pathankar for Sachin (for his hand) at 7 pm on 26/11/2009. Dr Patil has agreed to go with the family. And we move ahead with Sachin a year after it all began.

Edited to add: We at India Helps would like to thank Dr Vaibhav Patil for his unstinting support to the Singh family.

What can you do on the anniversary of 26/11

Abhedya Mumbai
A music concert at the Gateway of India
The non-stop event on November 26, slated to be held from 6 am to 10 pm, is an open-for-all event, with performances ranging from classical to film music. Performances by school children have also been planned during the day, which will be attended by Bollywood celebrities.
The show will begin with classical music performances by legendary maestros performing live, including Shri Hariprasad Chaurasia. This will be followed with recitals and prayers by school choirs. Youth bands from across Mumbai will be seen performing, and in the concluding stage various celebrated artistes from Mumbai will perform live for the occasion. Sonu Nigam, along with a few other artistes, will perform a song that has Nigam has specifically penned and composed for the occasion.
6 am to midnight.
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Police Flag March
8am, November 26
Start Point: Oberoi Hotel
End Point: Girgaum Chowpatty
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The Bowen Memorial Methodist Church, Apollo Bunder
(Behind Taj Mahal Hotel)
Special Memorial Service at 7 pm on November 26, as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the terror attack.
The service will be followed by the lighting of candles in memory of the victims.
***************************************

Join Celebrate Bandra’s solidarity walk or listen to devotional music by artistes Shyamala Sajnani, Sheila Verma and Amerendu Dhaneshwar on November 26 at 6:30 pm and 7pm respectively, to mark the attacks.

March begins at Bandra Bandstand Fort.

Devotional Concert at Reclamation Promenade, Bandra (W).

Paint your message to the heroes of 26/11 on the wall running along Marine Lines, in an artistic tribute organised by NGOs I Love Mumbai and Giants International. Initiative begins today, November 25at 3 pm.
************************************

A Charity Garage Sale is being held at HQs - Mumbai's 1st all-day pub.

The event is being held from 12pm - 7pm, at HQ's - above Cafe Royal, with all proceeds from the sale of volunteered items going to the victims of 26/11.

On Display we have - Clothes, Shoes, Bags, Accessories, books and a lot more!

Date: Thursday, 26th November 2009

Venue: Headquarters, Colaba

Time: 12:00pm to 7:00pm

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"Where Were You" - The Street Extempore --- JOIN IN
What are you doing on the anniversary of that gory night? It still generates a chill down my spine when I think of that ominous night. It saddens me to learn that many of us have lived up to the amnesic nature of Mumbai. And it is upon us, few awakened souls, to create an interesting movement for people to participate.

What Is The Tentative Plan??
Along with a few friends of mine, I would be at different terror spots on 26/11. We will do something very simple. Form a circle of 3-4 people, one of the participants would come in the center and speak about what s/he was doing on 26/29 November 2008. Once s/he finishes, s/he points to a random person in the circle and asks "Where Were You?". Now this person, (who could be amongst us or a bystander who teams up) would come to the center circle and speak about her/is experience on 26-29/11.

Would you like to join in too??? We are waiting. Call Harish Iyer on 9833100340 or email him on people.n.nature@gmail.com

**************************************

Wake Up Bandra

Children and Celebrities will create a Unity Wall on the compound perimeter of Mehboob Studio at Mount Carmel Road, Bandra.

****************************************

India Helps in the Indian Express...

And I have had a sex change operation for this one...

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/one-big-crisis-many-helping-hands-and-samaritans/545283/

India Helps in The New Indian Express

Read it here:
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Kind+acts+fed+by+rage+still+seeking+direction&artid=Wto25I6DsK0=&SectionID=11&MainSectionID=11&SectionName=cxWvYpmNp4fBHAeKn3LcnQ==&SEO=

A big thank you...

To Parul Sharma, Shivani Kagti, Gunjan Parulkar, Pravin Nair and all those who have helped out with funds for Poonam Singh's rent.
If anyone has made a direct transfer we dont know about, do mail us at indiahelps@gmail.com, to let us keep our records updated.

Children's Day at our Pavement Schools

The Computer Science department (headed by Prof Vinita N Gaikwad and her students) of Thakur College, Kandivali East, visited our pavement school on Childrens Day and distributed snacks and gifts to the children. Here are the pictures...

A big thank you from team India Helps!

Christmas Party for our Street Children

We at India Helps are planning a Christmas Party for the children of
our street schools. We invite kind souls to pitch in with gifts, goody
bags and anything they would like to distribute to make the children
smile.
Gifts should be giftwrapped and labelled with the name of the person
who has given them. You could hand them across personally on the day of the party (which will be announced soon, once we finalise it), between 8 to 10am at our pavement schools in Goregaon West, or
you could drop them off at our office:
India Helps
1/7 Nityanand CHS,
SN Marg, Andheri East,
Mumbai 69.

Thank you.

For Mumbaikars

Mumbai city will soon get a new Municipal Commissioner, who heads the the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM).

The MCGM was established in 1882, and is one of the largest local governments in the world; it serves a population of 18 million people over an area of 500 sq. km. with an Annual Budget of Rs. 19,000 crores. The functioning of MCGM affects the daily lives of every citizen, as it is the policy-making and implementing agency for a wide range of services that include Public Health, Water and Sanitation, Building Proposals, Roads and Footpaths, Trees and Gardens, Zoo, Stray Dogs, Solid Waste Management, Education, Hawkers, Sewage, etc. (See http://www.mcgm.gov.in/ for details)

a) What are the 3 targets to improve Mumbai that you would like to suggest to the new Municipal Commissioner for the next 3 years.
e.g.: ensuring rain water harvesting to meet 20% of Mumbai's water needs.

b) What are the guiding principles that an organisation such as MCGM should adopt: e.g. to tackle corruption or to increase effeciency?

Responses shall be compiled and forwarded to the new Municipal Commissioner.

Inputs and suggestions from individual citizens are essential to help government perform better. It is only when we all think of what we would like our city and country (and therefore society) to be, and start participating in the process to make this change, that we will achieve change at a faster rate.

Regards,

Vinay
http://www.karmayog.org/ - creating cities for citizens

Take a look at this..

Sent in by kbpm, I thought this was a wonderful way to inculcate social consciousness amongst children.

http://www.sharemycake.org/

From Kolkata

This came in over the weekend from Mamma Mia, Me a Mamma?

I finally met Santanu Ghose, the man who got in touch with us regarding the dhobi's son, whose name is Ankit, by the way. I have Ankit's medical reports as well as X-rays with me. I have spoken to my friend whose brother is an orthopaedic surgeon and she'll be taking me to meet him sometime next week so that I can get his opinion.

As for Aahana, I'm afraid we need to move the appeals to a bigger level...

Help needed with rent for a 26/11 victim

This report in from Sangeeta:

Sachin Singh, Poonam Singh's son, who received hand injuries during 26/11.

I went with Santosh Singh (Poonam Singh's husband) and Sachin (son) to Dr Panchal at Mahim. Dr Panchal made us take an x-ray and felt that there perhaps no chance. The ring finger on Sachins left hand, one joint is not there. It has fused to become one stiff bone with no mobility. He said that plastic surgery could take care of the bump.
He has guided us to another doctor at Chembur, called Dr Hemant Pathankar who specialises in hand surgery. I called him, he has asked me to call him next Wednesday night at 9 pm for next Thursday appt. I may not manage to go next Thursday.

Santosh Singh needs help - Rs 1500/- pm towards rent. He came down to the base of the slum and got a home with an attached toilet as Poonam lacks mobility (She was injured on her legs and is currently undergoing physiotherapy to regain mobility). I had promised to help if he moved down. The rent is Rs 3000/- pm. We need to pitch in with Rs 1500/- pm.

As I had asked for proof, he has given me a copy of the rent agreement. He also gave me bills worth Rs 1500/- for Poonam's treatment.

Edited to add: If you would like to help Poonam Singh with Rs 1500/- pm, please do write in to us and we will forward you the bank account details for Santosh and Poonam Singh. We need only 10 kind souls to chip in with Rs 1500/- to enable this lady live a life of dignity.

An appeal for Project Kodaikanal

Got this as a forward:


Hey guys,

I'm off to Kodaikanal in about 10 days and no, this won't be one of the usual trips. I will volunteer briefly at my friend Zainab Ghadiyali's project--the Indian chapter of the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC).

Zainab is the Field Operations Manager for Project Kodaikanal and is responsible for managing the logistics of FIMRC's work in India. As part of her duties, she works closely with hospital and creche staff to coordinate volunteering and public health activities for the welfare of the underprivileged children in the area.

Zainab & I would appreciate it if you can do your bit for the children by donating some things. Mainly, they seek:
- children's multivitamin and calcium supplements (these are most important)
- toothpaste and toothbrushes
- clothes
- shoes
- blankets

While their needs may be plenty, every little bit given makes a difference. I hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you.

If you would like to know more about FIMRC, please visit: http://www.fimrc.org/
You can view pictures of Project Kodaikanal at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fimrc/sets/72157622030077650/

--
Vikas Hotwani
Correspondent / Copy Editor
Mumbai Mirror

An appeal from Pune

This appeal forwarded by Gunjan:

Dear Friends,
This appeal has reached us through Dr. Anju Kagal who has been associated with FoC for many years. We request you to kindly help this man ( Ram Bhau Jadhav ) regain his dignity and independence with any amount that you would be able to assist with. Let us begin this festive season with a gesture that would make a huge difference in a person's life !
You could contact Dr. Kagal directly or email unmana (unmana@gmail.com ) who is a core member of FoC.
Cheques would be in favour of SOFOSH and receipts with 80G exemption would be given for the same.
Many thanks,
Vani
http://www.focpune/. blogspot. com

AN APPEAL

Ram Bhau Jadhav is a 36yr male who was admitted on 11th Jan 2009. Reg No 1332.at Sassoon Hospital, with an atlanto axial dislocation (broken neck). At the time of admission he was quadriplegic (paralysed below the neck). With traction he has recovered the use of his left upper and lower limbs. He is still bed ridden. Doctors will now attempt to assist fusion using transarticular screws and plates if necessary.
Currently the equipment required for conducting this surgery is available at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital ,where the surgeon Dr Sunil Nadkarni is willing to conduct the surgery free of cost. In addition Deenanath hospital will not charge for the use of the OT and subsequent post-operative care.
However, we need to raise funds for the implant and medicines (approximately Rs 35,000/-). His family members have abandoned him and there is no way that he can go out and collect the necessary funds. Therefore I appeal to you all to contribute whatever you can. Every penny will be helpful. The money can be given to SOFOSH from whom you will get a receipt which allows tax deduction. The surgery has to be done urgently.
Thanking you,
Anju Kagal ,
Professor of Microbiology,
PRO Sassoon Hospital Pune.
Mobile :9822623459

**********************************

--
www.indiahelps.blogspot.com
www.indiahelps.org
Whom have you helped today?

Find purpose. The means will follow.
Mahatma Gandhi

An appeal from Maid in Malaysia

Help needed:

The doctors said they were going to remove diabetic Vasanthi's big
toe. But they removed most of her gangrene-filled foot.

Vasanthi,42, lives in Kuala Lumpur. She cannot afford a prosthetic limb.

This lady needs help from a Malaysian NGO that will offer to sponsor a
limb, which costs around 3,000 ringgit.

For more information contact: maidinmalaysia@gmail.com

Detailed appeal from Goonj for Andhra/Karnataka Flood relief

It is indeed heartening to see the number of emails coming in wanting further information on how to contribute to flood relief work. It is moments like this that reinforce my belief that every Indian, regardless of personal circumstance, is keen to help a fellow Indian in trouble.

I recieved the detailed mail from Goonj yesterday, requesting specifics for flood relief. I have pasted it below, along with details of drop points and volunteers in various cities across India for your reference. Do call in, organise collection camps in your residential complex, do your bit. Help as much as you can:


This is an URGENT APPEAL to join GOONJ in its campaign 'RAHAT FLOODS' to provide support to the victims of one of the worst floods in the last hundred years. The situation is grim and millions of people are affected by the devastation.
GOONJ has been working extensively in disaster relief for many years now. During the devastating Bihar floods last year, with large-scale civic participation, GOONJ channelised about 1500 tonnes of material. More recently, in Cyclone Aila in West Bengal, we were again actively involved in relief operations.
With a wide network of organizations and people present in most of the affected districts we are confident of reaching relief at the earliest possible. While the dispatch of material has already started the need based relief efforts will continue for the next few months.
Possible options for joining this campaign
Material support (Needed- large quantities of..)
* Dry ration- Rice, pulses, biscuits, packed eatables
* Water purifier tablets
* Basic medicines
* Sarees & Children clothing
* Tarpaulins and thick plastic sheets
* Bed sheets, Blankets & Mosquito nets
* Export surplus/ Cotton cloth for making sanitary napkins
* Stoves, cooking and water storage utensils/buckets
* Lanterns, candles, matchbox, torch & batteries
* Feeding bottles, ropes and also all kind of usable clothing & footwear.
(For the list of collection centers, please log on to www.goonj.info)
Logistical support-
* Transport support to reach the material to effected areas
* Space for collection centers
* Facilities for local pickups
* Transportation of material from different cities to GOONJ processing centers in a few cities.
Financial support-
Donations in India- Please send cash/cheque/draft in the name of GOONJ and send it to GOONJ.., J-93, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi- 76 (Kindly send your full name, address & Pan No. with the contribution for receipt/accounting purpose. (All donations to GOONJ in India are tax exempted u/s 80 G of IT act.)
Overseas donation can reach us through Cheque (in the name of GOONJ with your full particulars) or by wire transfer with an information on ruchikagoonj@gmail.com
Rotate it (valid only for overseas donations) through Wacovia Bank, New York swift code- 2000193008933, GOONJ, A/C No- 2591101004644
Bank- Canara Bank, H block, market Sarita Vihar, New Delhi- 76
Swift Code- CNRBINBBDFS
Contact- GOONJ
H.O Delhi- J-93, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi- 76 Tel.- 011-26972351, 41401216 E-mail- mailgoonj@gmail.com
Mumbai- Mr. Rohit Singh Tel.- 9322381600, Email- rohitgoonj1@gmail.com
Chennai- Mr. Vimal Tel.- 9842665320, Email- vimalgoonj@gmail.com
Kolkata- Mr. Iftikar Tel.- 9748691735, Email- iftikargoonj@gmail.com
Jalandhar- Ms. Daljeet Tel.- 9855023391, Email- daljeetgoonj@gmail.com
Saharsa (Bihar)- Mr. Sheoji Tel.- 9631568989, Email- sheojigoonj@gmail.com
Voluntary set ups-
Hyderabad- Mr. Ramana Tel.- 9849600002 Email- ramanatsv@yahoo.com & Ms. Nitu Tel.- 9908607775, Email- nitu.dhasmana@gmail.com (please call between 7.00 p.m. & 9.00 p.m. only)
Bangalore- Ms. Smitha Tel.- 9986213181 Email- goonjbangalore@gmail.com
Pune- Ms. Gauri Bapat Tel.- 9881090695 Email- goonjpune@gmail.com
Do spread the word, talk to your friends & relatives, help us to organise campaigns in the offices, residential areas and schools.
With best,
Anshu Gupta (Ashoka Fellow)
Founder Director
GOONJ..

Update on Momina Khatoon

This in from Aparna:

Have been in regular touch with Momina. She has been doing fine. But the kids have been falling ill regularly. In fact the younger one has been diagnosed with chicken pox. The elder one has a slight cough and cold and she has been regularly visiting the doctors because of this.

When I spoke to her she requested for financial help for day to day and medical expenses. I will be visiting Momina the week after Diwali.

If anyone would like to help Momina, please do contact us on info@indiahelps.org or indiahelps@gmail.com.

Flood relief for Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka

As you would all know, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have been ravaged by floods which have rendered many homeless and destitute.

We are working on a flood relief collection drive for the flood victims of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

We require the following:
Material support (need in large quantity)-
Dry ration- Rice, Pulse, Gram, Chiura, Cooking oil, Gud, Sugar, Tea, spices, Biscuits, Namkeen, Packed eatables and Infant Baby's milk powder.
Medicines-Paracetamol,Disprin, Brufen, Combiflame, Entroquinol, Spasmonil, B complex, Domperidon, Cetzin, Cough Syrup (anti- tissutive/ anti allergic), Chlorine/ Halogen tablets, first aid medicines, cotton bandages, Ciprofloxacin tablets and infusion, Levofloxacin tablets, Chloromyecetin capsules and injections, Ceftriaxone Injections, Chloroquine tablets and injections, Metronidazole Chloroquine tablets, suspension and infusion, Phensedyl DM cough syrup, Ranitidine tablets and injection, Antacids tablets and suspension, Cetrizine tablets and syrup, Ibuprofen tablets, Dexamethasone injections, Hydrocortisone injections, Deriphyllin injections, Electrol, Glucose and ORS Powder,Water purifier tablets
Utility items- candles & matchbox, torch & batteries, storage & cooking utensils, tarpaulin, feeding bottles, buckets, ropes, Mosquito nets, stoves,
Clothing- large quanity of sarees, bedsheets, shirts, T-shirts, kids clothes, towels, daris & all kind of usable clothing & footwear.
Export surplus/ Cotton cloth for making sanitary napkins
(List courtesy http://www.goonj.org/)

Do let us know if you would like to donate to this cause or organise collection camps in your office/residential complex for the same. We will hand over the items collected to http://www.goonj.org/ which is doing hands-on flood relief work in this region. Kindly note, India Helps or India Helps volunteers will not be accepting cash or cheques for relief. Anyone wishing to contribute monetarily should do so directly to Goonj.

If you live in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi or Bangalore, write in to us at info@indiahelps.org or indiahelps@gmail.com, with details of what you'd like to contribute and we will revert with a Goonj drop off point or put you in touch with India Helps team members and volunteers in these cities.

Drive to help needy

From Karmayog

Donate for the Needy
Contribute clothes, school bags, shoes, lights, fans, utensils, soaps, food grains, etc. for needy people who are not beggars but who are financially poor and cannot afford to buy and satisfy their daily needs.
Interesterd people can bring their contributions to Gokuldham High School between 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. before Oct. 20th 2009.
Contact 9867627259 or 9004700270

Update on Poonam Singh

This in from Sangeeta:

On Poonam Singh ...she has a visit on 8th to JJ. They have been asked to do an MRI and money in an issue. They have managed to shift lower but the rent is more. I will wait for a month and ask for receipts.The new rent is Rs 3000, he has kept a person with him, some relative for Rs 1000. So in effect he pays Rs 1000 more than his earlier rent .

His son is in a bad shape, his left hand is not working well. Plastic surgery is needed as it looks bad and his wrist not closing. Will try and meet them when they come to JJ on the 8th, to understand the problem first hand.

Edited to add: The India Helps team would like to thank Dr Vaibhav Patil for conducting at home physiotherapy sessions pro bono for Poonam Singh. It is professionals like you who give your time and expertise, who help rebuild lives.

If anyone would like to help Poonam Singh, and her son Sachin, please do write in to us at indiahelps@gmail.com or info@indiahelps.org.

An appeal for help

This is an appeal by a cancer stricken widow who is at the last stage of her illness, and will leave behind two young children. This story is truly heartbreaking. If you would like to help please either mail us at info@indiahelps.org or indiahelps@gmail.com. Or you could contact the Bhaktivedanta Hospital Share Your Care programme directly (details included below):

I need your helping hand….

Name of patient: Ms. Rachana Ghag, Age-38 yrs

Diagnosis: Cancer of the Breast, diagnosed in 2006

Family Background:

Rachana is the lone child to her parents. She got married to Rajendra Ghag, a police constable and had two children from him. However, misfortune struck early and she lost her husband in 2004 due to heart attack. She is survived by two children – Sailee aged 11 and son Gaurav aged 6. She was struck by breast cancer in 2006. She had to give up her job in a Diamond factory due to her failing health.

Health Aspects:

Ms. Ghag came in contact with Bhaktivedanta Hospital due to the efforts of Mr. Deven Chopra and Mr. Rajesh Talreja. She is ably supported by Dr Vinita/Dr Avnish of the palliative Care Team at Bhaktivedanta hospital. Although, she is in her last days/weeks, she is surviving by her will power and positive approach to life.

Foreseen requirements:

Loan Details of Rachana Ghag.
	Description	Bankers	Amount	Remarks
Loan 1	Housing Loan	State Bank of Mysore	Rs.2.80 lacs	Covered under insurance
Loan 2	Mortgage loan	State Bank of Mysore	Rs.1.50 lacs	Not covered

Children education needs to be supported

• Basic graduation Education for Son Gaurav appx Rs 10.67 lacs
• Basic graduation education for Daughter Sailee Rs 6.88 lacs

Funds collected will be deposited with:-

Bank: ING VYSYA BANK,

Branch: Mira Road (E), Thane Pin- 401 107.

A/c. No.; 540010113940.

Title of A/c. : CWCT A/C. RACHANA GHAG.

IFSC Code: VYSA0005400.

Two signatories jointly will be operating the account. The account will be monitored by a CA and will be open for scrutiny.

Please note all donations are exempted under section 80-G of I.T.act

For any further clarification or information you may contact the undersigned or

Mr.K. Venkataramanan,

Director, SHARE YOUR CARE,

Bhaktivedanta Hospital

Srishti Complex, Sector-1, Mira Road (E), THANE - 401107

Mobile - 9324236661, Email - vraj108in@yahoo.co.in

You are also most welcome to meet the patient with prior appointment.

Suresh S Chari

Manager - Projects and Program

Share Your Care, Bhaktivedanta Hospital,

Mira Road (E) Thane dist.

mailto:Email%3Assc1268@rediffmail.com. Mobile: 09320356200.

India Helps participates in the Joy of Giving Week

India Helps will be participating in the Joy of Giving Week being organised by Give India from Sept 27 to Oct 3. We are inviting volunteers to come teach our Street School children anytime during the week. The schools are open from 8 am to 10 am, Monday to Saturday.

School 1 is opposite Vibgyor High School, Link Rd, Goregaon West.

School 2 is outside ICICI Bank, near Bangur Nagar Signal, Link Road, Goregaon West.

 

We welcome volunteers who can bring skills like art and craft, conversational English, and regular rhymes, songs, or even basic alphabets and numerals. We want you to come interact with our children, see their desire to learn and encourage them in their efforts.

 

Here's the link: http://joyofgivingweek.org/events/284

Hoping to see you there!

 

Team India Helps.

Update from Kolkata

Update from Kolkata, from Mamma Mia! Me a Mamma?:

No updates on the dhobi's son. I plan on calling the father after the Durga Pujo gets over. I'd like to meet him. In the meanwhile, I've spoken to a close friend of mine whose brother happens to be an orthopaedic surgeon. I plan on visiting him with the reports and X-rays once I get my hands on them.

As for Aahana...sigh, bad news I'm afraid. Aahana's stomach tube has developed two holes. The doctors have done a temporary patch-up job, but it will need to be replaced within the next six months. The cost of the operation including three-four days at the hospital can amount to anything between Rs. 30 - 40,000/-. Purnima also said that we need to take into consideration, Aahana's frail health. Her last operation, as you all know, had her staying back at the hospital for six weeks. That may be a huge possibility here as well.

I spoke to Purnima's son. It was a much-needed conversation, because now I know exactly where they stand on the PF issues, the monetary needs and the guardianship issues. He is a huge help to the mother and he is leaving no stone unturned to try and get every last cent of his sister's money from wherever it may be stuck.

After the conversation with Mr. Goswami, it has become apparent that what is really the need of the hour, a lump sum of money that they can fall back on when situations as the above arise.

Fund-raising needs to start in earnest now. What with it being Durga Puja, maybe we can put up some posters in a few pandals all over the city.


Edited to add: If you would like to help Aahana or the dhobi's son with funds for both operations, do write in to us at info@indiahelps.org or indiahelps@gmail.com.

Would you like to donate books?

Got this as a forward, thanks Chandni. I thought it was a noble cause anyone could support:


Sevadham requires books on values and spirituality in Hindi and Marathi. I would be extremely grateful if we could collect a dozen or two books not too voluminous on the subject mentioned above. We need these books to provide good reading material to the prisoners confined in prisons in the western region of Maharashtra. Do let us know when and where we can collect them.

Ms. B. Pimenta
SEVADHAM, Thane
------------------------------------

The "Donate Books, Receive Books" initiative was started by Karmayog in June
this year. (www.karmayog.org/donatebooks/)

So far there are appeals for books from 58 cities in 19 States of India.
135 NGOs and organisations have appealed for books in all languages and for
all types of people who need them.

The Karmayog office in Fort, Mumbai, itself has collected and donated over 1000
books during this period.

If you would like to donate books, or need books for your organisation, do
join in the "Donate Books, Receive Books" initiative.

Corporates, schools, colleges and housing societies can also participate and
conduct collection drives in their premises.

Send an email to us stating how you would like to particpate and we
will take that further.

Regards,

Vinay
http://www.karmayog.org/ -- spreading knowledge

A 'Literacy Day' True Story

Received this as a forward, and found it touching. Thank you Chandni.

http://blog.prathambooks.org/2009/09/literacy-day-true-story.html

By Mala

September 8 is International Literacy Day. And I'm able to write this and you're able to read this because someone thought it was necessary to make you and me literate.

According to a UNESCO list of literacy rates, 146 countries have better adult literacy rates than India, with its score of 60%. Clearly, the way to improve adult literacy is to go about getting our children literate. And that is where the challenge is, for there seem to be so many factors that help deny basic education to our children---poverty, casteism, infrastructure. Add to this the fact that a huge mass of adults do not have the conviction that education and literacy are necessary tools for the development of our children.

On this International Literacy Day, I'd like to share a story. A true story.

Many years back, a woman died in a hospital leaving behind a three-year old child named Saraswathi. The hospital handed over the child to Anatha Shishu Sevashram, an orphanage in Wilson Garden, Bangalore. Ms. Parvathamma Hirematt, who founded the institution in 1942, sent Saraswathi to school. When she was in Class 4, Saraswathi lost her eyesight following a smallpox attack.

Saraswathi, providentially named after the Hindu Goddess of Knowledge, continued her schooling at Jayanagar Blind School, finished her degree at B.E.S College, and earned an MA in Political Science from Mysore University. She was a lecturer in B.E.S. College for 11 years. But what inspires me is not that a blind girl attained these heights of literacy.

When Parvathamma passed away, Saraswathi took up the running of the orphanage. Since 1992, Sarawathi and her husband have been maintaining it. They do all the cooking, with the help of a few senior students. Today, she tends to 60 children, aged between 4 and 18. Several of her 'children' have finished their studies and have been married into good families.

I'm privy to this story because of something that started as a little idea. My husband's colleagues decided that their company should donate whatever they could to charity each year. My humble contribution was a set of books from Pratham Books. (I had just signed up for the 7-day challenge organized by Joy of Giving. Friends and family think I must be the stingiest 'donor', for our books cost just Rs.25 or less). Some days back, Saraswathi Bhat---blind, extremely busy, unacquainted to me---called me up. "Thanks for the books! Some people from your husband's office just came in and donated many things in cash and kind to our ashram, but I was so happy to get books for our children! They are going to be delighted."

Literacy is not just about learning to read, write, comprehend and speak, it is also about spreading the worth of these skills, the joy of using these skills. If you believe in this, do spend five minutes today and every other day possible to spread the joy of reading. Talk to a street child. Help her 'read' a traffic sign. Show her a newspaper and read out the cartoon strip. Point out a school that she could go to. And do let us know what you did to inspire a child to become literate.Let's spread the joy of doing our bit....

An initiative worth pitching in, for Mumbaikars

I received this as a forward and having contributed to Goonj earlier, for the Bihar floods, I think this is an initiative every citizen could chip in and help with in an easy manner

Dear Friends,

I'm writing to you on the behalf of GOONJ.. (www.goonj.info), a voluntary organization working nationwide, channelising vast resources lying in excess in the cities to the far flung villages of India.

Winner of the 'Indian NGO of the Year' Award, GOONJ.. is dispatching over 40000 kgs of material in 21 states of India with a network of over 150 grassroots implementation partners like Ashoka Fellows, Panchayats, NGO's, Social Activists and the Indian Army.

Once again, we are holding DHL 'Deliver Help Drive', where DHL will pick-up the material from your place and deliver it to GOONJ.. processing center. The drive is for Mumbai, Navi-Mumbai & Thane, and will take place from Sept 3rd to Sept 13th 2009. For scheduling a pick-up, you can call 022-6741 2737 or send email on idonate@dhl.com

You can contribute: Old/new school uniform, shoes, stationery, notebooks, geometry boxes, school bags, lunch boxes, water bottles, raincoats, old storybooks and toys for our initiative SCHOOL to SCHOOL (S2S) and also general clothes (all sizes), woollens, bed sheets, utensils, footwear, newspapers/ magazines & monetary contributions (for a detailed list log on to http://www.goonj.info/whatcanbe.php).

Do motivate your friends & colleagues to come forward & contribute for this noble cause.

Please refer the link of POSTER to spread the word across in your offices, colleges, schools & residential societies. For any further information/ assistance, kindly contact the undersigned.

About GOONJ: Initiated in 1998, GOONJ.. is now a strong force of over 300 volunteers & over 150 implementation partners in 21 states. GOONJ.. has won the prestigious Changemakers' Innovation Award twice for its initiatives 'SCHOOL to SCHOOL' and its disaster relief work 'Rahat'. "Not just a piece of cloth'' is our campaign to find solutions for the most neglected need of sanitary napkin for village women by providing a clean piece of cloth. It has won the World Bank's Development MarketPlace Award in 2007.



With best regards,

Rohit.

--

Rohit Singh
Coordinator - GOONJ.., Mumbai.
Email - rohitgoonj1@gmail.com
Add. - Shop # 4, M/s Well Wishes,
East India Tannery Compound,
Sethwadi, Dharavi, Mumbai - 17.
Tel.- 9322381600 or 9833237678.

"Join VASTRA-SAMMAN, a nationwide campaign by GOONJ during Joy of Giving Week".

Job required for Abdul, Shabira Khan's son

This update in from Serendipity on Abdul:

Abdul was looking for a job the last I spoke with him, so if anyone knows of a job where a strappy young chap can pitch in, let me know. He's not very educated, but he said he's ok picking up things, delivering, or an office boy type of job too. If anyone does know of any leads that can help him get a job, do write in to us at indiahelps@gmail.com or info@indiahelps.org.

Help this boy

Sometime ago, a gentleman from Kolkata, Santanu Ghose, had written in to us about a young boy, his dhobi's son who had a spinal problem, for which an immediate operation was required.
An India Helps team member from the Kolkata chapter spoke with Mr Ghose, who further investigated the case and referred the child to Dr Tirthankar Guha Thakurta (His note is attached below). The child needs surgery for which the expenses are working out to approximately Rs 22,000 only for the prosthetic, the surgery, the hospital stay, the medicines etc, would be separate.

We appeal to kind donors to please write in to us at indiahelps@gmail.com, if they would like to help this child lead a normal, painfree life. Also, if any orthopaedic surgeon in Kolkata could help this child pro bono, we would be grateful.


Letter from Dr Guha Thakurta:

I got an opportunity to meet the young child on Saturday. He has a congenital Scoliosis, which is kind of an abnormal bending of the vertebral column. In future this can compress upon the spinal cord and produce painful and paralytic neurological symptoms.

He has been advised orthopedic re-constructive surgery by consultants at RKM Seva Sadan and I have reviewed all the reports done so far.

He is definitely in need of a surgical reconstruction to prevent a disabled adulthood.

The surgery is expensive and if any financial help can be offered to them, it will be great.

Regards,

Dr Tirthankar Guha Thakurta

Dept of Pathology,
KPC Medical College & Hospital, Jadavpur

Appeal for rare blood group in Mumbai

This forward came in from Gunjan today:

Hi all,

There is an urgent requirement for A –ve blood. If any of you are willing to donate, please help! The patient is suffering from blood cancer. She will be needing platelets (colorless bodies that are present in blood). Once these are donated, these get reformed within 3/4 days and at Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Parel, Mumbai.

Step 1: Donor Confirmation
There will be a blood test for the donor at Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Parel, Mumbai.
A donor can go to TMH as per his/her convenient day. (any possible day from tomorrow)
Next day, it will be clear from the reports, if the donor's blood is suitable for the patient..

Step 2: Actual Blood Platelets Donation
After that as per the requirement, the donor will be contacted for the platelets.
For that also, donor need to go to TMH.
It will be 1:30 to 2:00 hour process; the platelets will be collected from the donors blood.

Following are the contact details:
Shashank Joshi (Patient's husband): 09029281150 - He is with patient at TMH, he will guide the donor
Shital Joshi (Patient's mobile, mostly attended by Shashank): 09702198780
Umesh Joshi : 9822681654 – the person who has made the request through an Infoscion-in Pune.

Regards,
Sparsh team


Find purpose. The means will follow.
Mahatma Gandhi

Update on Aahana

This came in from Mamma Mia! Me a Mamma? from our Kolkata chapter:

The latest regarding Aahana:
Purnima had gone to the IICP on the 31st where they did a full-scale investigation on Aahana. They will be writing out a disability report which Purnima hopes will help her recover some of her daughter's pending funds.
She collected the cheque (from Panchtatwa, thank you Sangeeta!) and we spent some time talking.
I reminded her to call me when her son is in town and she says that she has not forgotten.
Aahana hasn't been keeping too well and she's lost more weight. I felt like crying when I saw her this time...

If anyone would like to help Aahana, please do write in at info@indiahelps.org or indiahelps@gmail.com

Our August 2009 Newsletter is here....

And this is where you can read it...

download link
http://tinyurl.com/luap8t
or
http://uploading.com/files/JT04TQJB/IHNewsletter_Aug09.pdf.html