Pet-owners, mothers of newborn babies, and parents of children with special needs will vouch for the fact that Diwali is not all fun and play. While many people are out there generating noise, smoke and toxic waste, people and animals are suffering due to the careless frolic of such celebrations—especially at a time when the need to adopt eco-friendly methods and modes of celebration has become more urgent than ever before.
Now is the best time to pay heed to sustainable celebrations, keeping in mind the fact that caring for those in need at this time is also a key part of the festive spirit. Let’s not forget, that the real joy of festivities lies in sharing and giving back.
Here are five non-profit organisations that extend kindness to the needy during Diwali, be it humans or animals. Let’s extend our gratitude and support to them this festive season.
1) Bhumi NGO, Across 12 cities in India
While we thoroughly clean our homes before Diwali, we rarely account for the waste generated due to the celebrations. Bhumi NGO, along with Give India, has been running a campaign called ‘Gift Your Scrap’ which encourages people to collect their dry scrap and sell it to a scrap collector affiliated with the NGO. The value amount of the scrap will be used for funding the education of underprivileged students.
“The scrap donor can then choose to either keep the money or donate it to Bhumi NGO through Give India. This donated money will then be turned into scholarships for underprivileged students,” Swapna K, a volunteer at Bhumi NGO told Telangana Today.
Find them: https://bhumi.ngo/
2) Clean Up Foundation, Mumbai
Sanjana Runwal, a 17-year-old girl has been spearheading the activities at Clean Up Foundation. The NGO works towards improving the lives of the sanitation workers in Mumbai. This Diwali, she decided to light up their lives by helping them get their own homes.
They launched a home loan app for sanitation workers, which helps them understand their eligibility criteria and EMIs in easy steps. The home loan procedure is simplified for them and they are supported in acquiring one from authorised sources. That saves these workers from being exploited by independent loan sharks.
Find them: http://clean-up.in/
3) Animals Matter To Me, Mumbai
Animals Matter To Me (AMTM) is an NGO that works with stray animals in need. From providing ambulance and medical care assistance to feeding strays and keeping them from starving, this NGO does it all. Several animals get injured during Diwali or hide in spots where they get trapped. AMTM aims to rescue such animals and provide them with the care they need.
Find them: https://www.amtmindia.org/
4) Perroayuda Welfare Foundation, Delhi
This NGO has been actively feeding strays in Delhi, with around 150 of them per location. They also focus on the rescue of strays in need and giving them the nurturing they need to recover. Prabhjeet Singh, who spearheads the rescue team, has saved more than 1,000 strays including dogs, cats, monkeys, cows, horses, and birds.
Find them: https://perroayuda.org/
5) Uday Foundation, Delhi
Why should your financial health decide if you can celebrate Diwali? While we are indulging in sweets and savouries, there are homeless people struggling to get by. Delhi-based Uday Foundation helps feed the poor in Delhi and other areas in North India. They have food drives and also provide blankets and warm clothes. This Diwali they ensured the poor don’t sleep hungry. They essentially rely on donations made by well-intentioned souls.
Find them: https://www.udayfoundation.org/
Also Read: Décor Brands For The Conscious Home