We the ________ people!

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Why don’t we sit down and try to fill in the blanks?

We  the corrupt people?

We the emotional people?

We the strange people?

We the Indian people?

We the undisciplined people?

We the hard-working people?

We the rich people?

We the poor people?

We the sensitive people?

We the people who care?

I like to believe that we do care.. in some form or the other, and someone gets some benefit too! but our care at times is limited to that one week of inspired living right after we see a TV program like Satyamev Jayate!

Last month including yesterday, I’ve had some long conversations about what does it take for people to contribute to the welfare of society. My conversations were limited to mostly how a larger percentage of people in big corporates  are not willing to donate something as little as Rs. 100 a month to a cause.

Let’s look at the potential… for a company of about 5000 employees, I would assume that everyone is taking home atleast Rs. 10000 every month on an average. Rs. 100 would not be more than 1% of their monthly salary for atleast 60% of this population. Assuming they are ok with donating this 1% of their salary, we are looking at an average of Rs. 3,00,000 every month which can be donated to a cause. Let do some more maths.. how about looking at the annual potential for this 5000 people strong company? Going by the above calculations, this organization can donate Rs.  36,00,000 every year.

A couple of NGOs that I know need not more than Rs. 15000 per annum ensure one kid’s education all inclusive (including fee, uniform, books, and food). Time for another calculation… Rs. 36,00,000 could help sponsor 240 kids. and what does this take? Rs. 100 a month from every individual in a company of 5000 out of which only 60% people (3000) are willing to donate. The issue is that these 3000 individuals who are willing to give away Rs. 100 every month are extremely difficult to find!

There is enough information available with individuals and organizations about good NGOs, which are validated and audited against multiple parameters, and I am sure if we want we can find out atleast one NGO which is doing a good job on the ground. I know of a few personally, and I am in the process of finding out about more.

If you are reading this and wondering what can you do about it, here is what I think you can…

  • Leave a comment on this post and if you are ok  a way for me to reach out to you
  • Find atleast 1 person other than yourself who is willing to part with 100 bucks a month for an year

That’s it! I would work towards bringing the right information to the willing donors, and let them take a decision. I have been able to play an instrumental role in raising funds earlier with about 4 projects which were mostly individual driven, and am looking for support to start with another!

Let me know if you are willing to do what it takes!

22 comments on “We the ________ people!”

  1. Supriya Singh on -

    Hi Prashant,

    It’s a great initiative!!
    I would like to be one of those 3000 people!
    Do keep me posted!

    -Supriya

    • Chaiwala on -

      You are absolutely right! I was talking about this with a friend as well in the afternoon.. About the donations in temples.. the issue is that when someone donates that 10 bucks in the temple, its with some faith, some respect, something that touches the person’s heart.. With the 100 bucks that I am asking for, it does not necessarily give anything in return…
      And I am not looking for lakhs of rupees.. I would be happy with 1 rupee each from lakhs of people too 🙂 or just about enough that these people contribute to the education of one child, welfare of one family, support of one self help group, donation to one charity… and so on…

  4. deepika on -

    would try to make my friends aware about the same…nice work keep it up

  6. Anshu on -

    Prashant,

    Supporting you on this. Agree with Alok, let’s find ways to contribute in more ways as well. We can discuss this offline and take it to next level. I am very willing…

    Cheers

    Anshu

    • Chaiwala on -

      This is nice.. There are a lot of ways and means which we can use to contribute, and I would write about some of them and would look forward to your thoughts and comments!

  8. Alok Shrivastava on -

    Prashant, of course this 100 a month is doable and you know I would do it when you had worked it all out. How about taking it to the next level. How about contributing more than money? How about we do it ourselves? In any which way which is not intrusive to “our lives” but still worth it for someone out there who we intend to reach. The opportunities are many. Saw a story some time back, some people in Infosys have formed a group and are supporting a camp run by PT Usha to prepare poor girls who are potential atheletes.

    Let us begin by money and lets move on to something which we are proud to tell our grand children and reflex back on when we are probably not that capable either physically or monetarily or both.

    • Chaiwala on -

      I am not sure if you know it, however I have individually raised about a lakh for the cause of education by selling paintings and photographs… and I talk about 100 bucks because that is one of the easiest ways to start contributing. If you are looking at a little more than that, then you are the right person to be a part of the core group that brainstorms on doing more and how…. One cause at a time, one kid at a time, and one minute at a time is what it would take….

      Let’s connect offline as well to discuss!

  9. Nikhil Arya on -

    Always there or this noble cause….with you bro……add me in the list…

  10. gauravb1987@gmail.com on -

    i wish there are means created to promote this calculation to the mass which really is ready to shell out 100bucks a month….perhaps satyamev jayete could be one such medium to showcase this ‘satya’..

    • Chaiwala on -

      With the kind of reach a national television program has, it should be able to create an outstanding amount of difference to a lot of lives… And people like you and me can contribute in our own ways too!

  12. Manish Phillips on -

    Hi Prashant,

    Appreciate your efforts and I’m willing to share. Guess this comment provides you with my email address. Do let me know the details.

    Cheers,
    Manish