JULY 2019 | GLIMPSE | 65India, Canada, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and
Africa. Each week, the Robins (as RHA
volunteers like to call themselves), serve
more than 4 Lakh people across the
globe. The Chandigarh chapter alone
serves close to 3500 people in the tri city
each week – across Panchkula, Mohali
& Chandigarh. Teaching classes are also
held in Panchkula where where children
are imparted free education & then
enrolled into schools.
So is it a PR statement that celebs
today are joining hands with social
causes? Says, Vinay Siha, “if it was
meant to be a PR activity, then we would
have just given money to charities and
splashed it all across media. The vey
fact that RHA does not accept money,
means we get involved in person. It calls
for a certain amount & dedication. My
health keeps me from going out much,
but my grand son and his close friends
volunteer with RHA. One hour each
week is all it takes to change lives.
As I caught up with the KBC episode,
the working of RHA unfolded in front of
me. Format is a simple one that creates a
win win for all. It's a format Neel Ghose
came across in Portugal. Local groups of
Robins tie up with restaurants in vicinity.
The surplus food of the day is handed
over to the Robins who collect the food
and distribute it to those who need it the
most. It is ensured that the food is fit for
consumption.
I got talking to the chapter heads
of the Chandigarh chapter, Abhishek
& Shibani. Says Abhishek, “We have
been very blessed, that our tri city food
partners not only give us surplus food
but restaurants like Classic 35, Gourmet
Nine, Pal Dhaba, The Lalit, Pik N Move
and many residential societies like
Royal Estate, Zirakpur give us freshly
prepared food which we distribute at
our distribution locations.”
Adds Shibani, “food is a medium to
bond with people and helps us reach
out to them. The children in Panchkula
recognise us. We have been serving
them for 3 years now. Thus, when we
decided to teach them, they were more
than happy! We teach them free of
cost everyday and this year we have
already gotten 14 children enrolled
in government schools. That is what
will help us remove dependency and
give these children the life they truly
deserve.”
It is overwhelming to see not only
the big names but even the youth of this
country get associated with the Robin
Hood Army and do their bit. After all,
the power lies in our hands...let's use it
to make this world a better place.
PS: The cash prize won at Kaun
Banega Crorepati was given by Neel
Ghose to Akshy Patra – for building
classrooms. This was done keeping
in view RHA's culture of being a Zero
Funds Organisation.GLIMPSE EYEG
Text: Shibani Varma