giveINDIA initiative: Lending a helping hand to the one in need

The Australian actor and India Australia Goodwill Ambassador, Saroni Roy, has initiated a COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund for Vidhayak Sansad – Shramjeevi Sanghatana, an outfit working for tribal & marginalised communities’ welfare in rural India, identified as giveINDIA’s trusted non-profit partners who are working at the grass-roots level to help the indigenous and marginalised communities fight the atrocities of the Coronavirus pandemic.

With the nation-wide lockdown in India extended and the already crippling effect of Coronavirus pandemic on the Indian economy, the worst hit are the daily wage earners. The tribal and marginalised communities from the region of Thane, Shahpur, Jawhar, Mokhada, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Murbad, Vasai, Vikramgad, Wada, Talasari, Dhanu, Palghar, Nashik, Raigad, Harsil, Peth, Surgana, Pen, Panvel, Sudhagad, Khalapur in the state of Maharashtra, India, work on daily wages and over 11000 families were not eligible for any assistance from the Government of India because they didn’t have ration cards (ration cards are an official document issued by state governments in India to households that are eligible to purchase subsidized food grain from the Public Distribution System under the National Food Security Act. They also serve as a common form of identification for many Indians). Vidhayak Sansad – Shramjeevi Sanghatana volunteers came to the rescue of these marginalized and vulnerable sections of the society.

“India is facing its worst public health crisis with the Covid-19 pandemic. Having lived in Mumbai, I was immediately drawn to take action to support Vidhayk Sansad – Shramjeevi Sanghatanain their mission to support rural India in this dreadful crisis. I have initiated this giveINDIA Fundraiser to directly support the vulnerable communities by providing a minimum wage, with your donation and support, and help them survive the aftermath of this crisis. Your donation of a mere INR 650 (approx. $8.58 USD) will feed one poor family for a week.” appeals, Saroni Roy,

Founder & CEO, SARONI ROY Foundation, to everyone worldwide to make a contribution to help India through the giveIndia COVID-19 Response Fund by Saroni Roy for Vidhayak Sansad .

Vivek Pandit & Vidyullata Pandit founded Vidhayak Sansad in 1979 and Shramajivi Sanghatana in 1982, for the socio-economic development and welfare of the tribal and the marginalised communities including landless labourers, released bonded labourers, migrant labourers and farmers in rural Maharashtra.

“Our initiative ‘Manuskichi Thali’ has provided free meals to over 10,000 labourers, beggars, aged individuals in need last month. During this period, several of these poor and vulnerable families were deprived of any government assistance or food aid as they did not have a ration card. I immediately filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Mumbai High Court seeking urgent relief for these families. The court took serious note of this and ordered the State Government to immediately issue ration cards for over 5,702 families in Palghar district, 3,057 in Thane district, 319 in Raigad district and 2,058 in Nasik district.” said, Vivek Pandit.

“Thanks to all the generous donors so far from all parts of the globe, Vidhayak Sansad – Shramjeevi Sanghatana was able to support 43,894 families so far and has mobilized INR 25.8 million in the form of financial and food & essential commodity aid,” he added.

If you wish to help, visit: giveINDIA COVID-19 Response Fund by Saroni Roy for Vidhayak Sansad