We often hear about foreign cricketers, likes of Brett Lee and Steve Waugh, involved in charity foundations in India. Yet our media never seems to report about the charity work undertaken by Indian cricketers - especially Sachin, Yuvraj and Dhoni- though Sehwag is also, not seemingly very actively though, involved with UNICEF. Indian media often reports about the efforts of Hollywood stars involved in "causes", but those of our indigenous stars seems to escape their mention. One can owe this to a possible mindset in India that good acts should be used only to earn good karma for next life, and not accolades for this. However, a more careful thought would suggest that by highlighting their charity efforts, a national mindset can be affected to not only appreciate helping the under-privileged, but also demand it of the affluent (and themselves).
Several stars outside India use their popularity to garner support for their causes and foundations, it may not be a bad idea for bollywood and cricket superstars to do the same in a cricket & movie-mad nation. I noticed, though, that a recent act of kindness by Yuvraj Singh and Bhajji - donation of Rs 1 lakh each to Arunima (volleyball player who lost her leg) - has received some media attention. So, while we are at it, we may look at some others by Indian cricketers: Sehwag is associated with UNICEF (along with some more cricketers - but I wonder how demanding it is), Yuvraj Singh runs a Yuvraj Singh foundation in Durban (SA), Dhoni and Sachin personally sponsor charities in their respective cities. I haven't been able to find more information - maybe (at least I hope) there are more efforts that I couldn't locate.
In any case, let's look at Sachin's efforts (because he is Sachin and is probably the most famous for his humanitarian efforts and there are appeals for a Bharat Ratna for him). According to a newspaper article, he sponsors some 200 kids through Apnalaya (http://www.apnalaya.org/). Without taking anything away from his effort and intentions, I think he can and should do more (if he is already doing so, then kudos).
Nelle Kooren, founding chairperson of a charity organization in Netherlands ( www.onderwijsvoorindia.nl ), is a full time student and yet organizes dinners and events to raise enough money to support higher education of more than 40 orphan/poor girls in Tamil Nadu (in collaboration with a local NGO Sevai Society). In comparison with her, I think Sachin has many million times more wealth/money and several hundred million times more influence. I still think he can make better use of his influence and fame to support more kids, like Jacques Kallis does or McGrath does or even Imran Khan does for his cancer hospital. Again, I am nothing away from him, just hoping that the real Indian idols use their influence to help change the national mindset to a more charitable one.
P.S. If this blog inspires anyone to help a good cause, here are a few links:
For those in India, you can/should either donate to Jagriti (http://home.iitk.ac.in/~ag/jagriti) or an initiative by a few IITK alumni and friends (www.godparents.in). Of course, Sachinites can always follow their God to www.apnalaya.org
For those in Netherlands, you can either contact me or go to www.onderwijsvoorindia.nl to donate.
For everyone elsewhere (Indian/NRI/Non-Indian), one of the best ways is of course using www.godparents.in to make donations. Be generous, because Mahatma Gandhi said:
"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it."
Several stars outside India use their popularity to garner support for their causes and foundations, it may not be a bad idea for bollywood and cricket superstars to do the same in a cricket & movie-mad nation. I noticed, though, that a recent act of kindness by Yuvraj Singh and Bhajji - donation of Rs 1 lakh each to Arunima (volleyball player who lost her leg) - has received some media attention. So, while we are at it, we may look at some others by Indian cricketers: Sehwag is associated with UNICEF (along with some more cricketers - but I wonder how demanding it is), Yuvraj Singh runs a Yuvraj Singh foundation in Durban (SA), Dhoni and Sachin personally sponsor charities in their respective cities. I haven't been able to find more information - maybe (at least I hope) there are more efforts that I couldn't locate.
In any case, let's look at Sachin's efforts (because he is Sachin and is probably the most famous for his humanitarian efforts and there are appeals for a Bharat Ratna for him). According to a newspaper article, he sponsors some 200 kids through Apnalaya (http://www.apnalaya.org/). Without taking anything away from his effort and intentions, I think he can and should do more (if he is already doing so, then kudos).
Nelle Kooren, founding chairperson of a charity organization in Netherlands ( www.onderwijsvoorindia.nl ), is a full time student and yet organizes dinners and events to raise enough money to support higher education of more than 40 orphan/poor girls in Tamil Nadu (in collaboration with a local NGO Sevai Society). In comparison with her, I think Sachin has many million times more wealth/money and several hundred million times more influence. I still think he can make better use of his influence and fame to support more kids, like Jacques Kallis does or McGrath does or even Imran Khan does for his cancer hospital. Again, I am nothing away from him, just hoping that the real Indian idols use their influence to help change the national mindset to a more charitable one.
P.S. If this blog inspires anyone to help a good cause, here are a few links:
For those in India, you can/should either donate to Jagriti (http://home.iitk.ac.in/~ag/jagriti) or an initiative by a few IITK alumni and friends (www.godparents.in). Of course, Sachinites can always follow their God to www.apnalaya.org
For those in Netherlands, you can either contact me or go to www.onderwijsvoorindia.nl to donate.
For everyone elsewhere (Indian/NRI/Non-Indian), one of the best ways is of course using www.godparents.in to make donations. Be generous, because Mahatma Gandhi said:
"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it."
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