Himachali Girl Helping Underpriviliged Families

epaper  annithisweek.blogspot.com

Himachali Girl Helping Underpriviliged Families

A Non Governmental Organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens’ group which is organized on a local, national or international level to plug in the gaps left by the government. Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of service and humanitarian functions, bring citizen concerns to Governments, advocate and monitor policies and encourage political participation through provision of information. Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, environment or health. India as a nation still has a large population that is vulnerable in terms of health, education, jobs and opportunities in general. This has also seen a large proliferation of NGOs. By some estimates, India has 3.3 million NGOs or one NGO for every 400 individuals. Out of it 312 NGOs operate in Himachal alone. Himachal This Week has tried to bring to fore the working of genuine NGOs who work for the welfare of masses. This week will find the mention of ‘My Helping Hand, Solan’ which is working for the upliftment of underprivileged children and families of Solan and Mumbai whether it is education, employment or basic requisites
of life.

The only way to be happy is to give whatever possible way you can. Ignoring weaker section of the society doesn’t solve the problem, it only makes matters worse, so start looking your friends who are in need and try helping them in best possible way. Don’t forget that the ratio of Helping hand is too less than ratio of poverty.

-Vandana Bhardwaj Founder, My Helping Hand

 Miss North India Crown Taught the Social Role

Aimed to serve underprivileged children and families with education, employment and basic requisites of life, the non-profit venture named ‘My Helping Hand’ came into existence in Mumbai as well as in Solan on October 3, 2009. Vandana Bhardwaj, daughter of Dr. Prakash C. Bhardwaj and Meena Bhardwaj of Solan started the NGO with a reason to show that to help others and to genuinely work for others, right intention is required and not the money. Her journey from Solan to Mumbai has been interesting as well as challenging. After completing her graduation (B. Com), she went on to do her Master’s degree in Public Administration in Delhi, and is now pursuing Ph. D in the same subject. Along with academics, she experimented in modeling and won the crown of Miss Delhi and Miss North India which taught her to be not just a model but also a role model. She was India’s most active member in the fight against Child Labour. MHH is the only NGO which doesn’t accept cash or cheques which gives confidence to people about the genuineness of the organization. The NGO is actively working for the welfare of poor people in Mumbai and Solan as well.

MHH in Mumbai

Education: My Helping Hand offers:

*  Free Education to slum kids on every Sunday.

*  Free Lunches during the school hours

*  Extra-curricular activities along with traditional education including dancing competition, picnics, temple visits etc.

*  Celebrate Festivals

*  Craft Training

Clothes and Food Distribution: MHH undertakes food distribution drives fortnightly or monthly basis,  It also distributes new and old clothes, woolens, blankets for the poor. The clothes are collected from various drives in Mumbai and their partners and contributors also play a huge role in the distribution drive.

Health Camps: The organization also conducts health checkup camps at various locations along with free medication. These are done with the help of reputed doctors who are tied up as volunteers with the NGO. Whatever fund is gather from various sources helps the organization to get medicines and other required items. The NGO also contribute from its end with the best of its abilities.

MHH in Solan

As Vandana Bhardwaj is based in Mumbai now; her mother Meena Bhardwaj manages My Helping Hand in Solan. As the State government in Himachal Pradesh already has many schemes in place to help out the underprivileged, My Helping Hand undertakes different activities in Solan. Meena Bhardwaj undertakes activities related to animal welfare and maintaining cleanliness in heritage sites. She is creating awareness in Solan by holding regular workshops and meetings on maintaining cleanliness in temples, as these places of worship are an integral part of the heritage of Himachal. Animal welfare activities include prevention of animal slaughter. An example would be creating awareness about the life of cows and how important it is to treat the ‘Cow’as a sacred Animal and also stop slaughtering of Cows.