Make the Republic Day weekend extra special by supporting several charity-driven initiatives and causes in and around Mumbai
Cycle for a cause
Cycling through the winding streets of SoBo might sound ideal for a midnight adventure, especially if you are looking to start this weekend on a high. Now, imagine doing this while also contributing for a worthy cause. Mumbai Riders is organising a bicycle tour on the eve of Republic Day with the aim to support a social initiative.
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"We had heard of charity-driven cycling events in other countries, and decided to introduce the concept here," informs Saurabh Jain, co-founder of the organisation that curates cycling experiences in the city. For this event, they have collaborated with The Lighthouse Project, a city-based non-profit organisation that connects children from underprivileged communities to a mentor, who spends hours a month with them to build their social and life skills and expose them to a world outside their community.
The project has grown to involve 500 mentors and children across the city since its inception in 2013. "All proceeds from tickets will be donated to The LightHouse Project," says Jain about the initiative. The three-hour journey is a heritage tour led by professionals who will guide cyclists along the 22-km-long trail across SoBo. Bicycles will be provided on request.
On : January 26, 12 am to 3 am; START POINT Colaba
Cost : Rs.499 (without bicycle), Rs.999 (with bicycle)
Log on to : eventshigh.com
Call : 9930590540
Donate a bicycle
While many schools and colleges have been established across the state, students have to often walk for miles to reach these educational institutions due to lack of transportation or the funds to access it. Konkan Kala and Shiksha Vikas Sanstha (KKSVS), a Konkan-based platform, is starting an initiative called Let's Recycle that facilitates donation of old or used cycles to children in need.
The first phase of this initiative will take place on Republic Day, where KKSVS founder Dayanad Kubal and his team will visit Sawantwadi in Sindhudurg district to donate used cycles to children from neighbouring areas. Kubal explains, "Students have to commute from surrounding villages to Sawantwadi to study, but there are a few who are unable to attend school regularly due to lack of transportation modes or funds. With cycles they can reach in time with minimal effort. So, for the past five months, we have been working with around 20 schools in Sawantwadi to curate a list of children who are in need of these cycles." Kubal and his team hope to arrange for 200 cycles for which they have been reaching out via social media and their network.
On : January 26, 11.30 am onwards
At : Shiv Garden, Sawantwadi, Sindhudurg.
Call : 7709585110
Log on to : konkan-edunart.org (to donate a bicycle)
Mall for the needy
While most in the city can boast of their own wardrobes, many around us survive on a few pairs of clothes. To bridge this gap and continue with their project that works towards ensuring dignified living for all, the Versova Welfare Association (VWA) is organising free distribution of used clothes on the occasion of Republic Day. This is the same group that had initiated the concept of the community refrigerator in Mumbai.
Over the past few weeks, Avocate Gopal Hegde, president at VWA, along with his team has been reaching out to people in the neighbourhood using banners, pamphlets and WhatsApp messages to donate wearable clothes. "We often notice that clothes are donated to people in need but these are either not in good condition or of the wrong fit or size. So, we are collecting clothes, bifurcating them on the basis of types and sizes and then displaying them. This way the needy have a choice to select an apparel of their liking and then take it home with dignity," says Hedge.The association is planning to create a mall-like setting with cubicles where the needy can visit, choose, try on the clothing, and take away any two items, free of cost.
On : January 26, 10.30 am to 4 pm
At :Jay Vanita Hall, Aram Nagar part 2, Versova.
Call : 9819847253 (to donate clothes)
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