A dance for charity

It may be clichéd to say that there is hunger and disparity in this world and that it needs us for help, but it still is the truth. there is a little voice in all of us which often times is desperate for us to listen to it but with all the distractions galore, we are not able do much, either because we choose to move on or simply because we don’t know where to start.

Vision2020 is one of the many manifestations of that little voice. It was set up in 2003 by Dr.Nagarajan and a group of his friends who shared this vision. the focus of this charitable, non-profit, voluntary and ‘non-discriminatory’ organisation as emphasised by Dr.Nagarajan, are the needy and helpless children who are denied their basic rights to a decent life including education and a bright future that even we want for our own children. Vision2020’s projects also include those for the elderly and the disabled if the resources permit. this year’s vision for this group of philanthropists involves a charity school in Kottayam, Kerala, called Jyothis. Jyothis is a training school for milestone-delayed children with brain damage. most of the kids who attend are cerebral-palsied, but the school also caters for autistic, dyslexic and mentally-retarded children. Established in 2002, the school has branches in many districts of Kerala. It is run by volunteers providing basic education at no cost to the children.

Vision 2020, as Sydney-based supporters the challenge of providing for the transportation needs of the disabled kids who attend the institution. Funds they raise will help provide a special bus that will be able to bring disabled or wheelchair-bound children and those from the poorest of the families, to the school.

And what a fun-filled fund raiser they organised recently, towards this end.

One can never go wrong with a timeless theme like ‘Beats of India’, with Bhangra and Garba being the highlight of DJ Vittal Iyer’s mixing skills. the evening took off with Garba gracefully demonstrated by asmita, Nimisha and arunditi mankad. after that, there was no stopping the crowds. as the lights went down, people were drawn to the dance floor, unable to resist some of the best Garba tracks from Bollywood. and then there were those who showcased the best of traditional Garba in a trance like state to the devotional songs set in folk style music. as the Garba warmed everybody up, it was time to step it up with the floor shaking, foot thumping and lilting Bhangra numbers. the Beats of Bhangra got the oldest and the youngest alike on to the dance floor. By this time, the floor was packed full of shouldershrugging, hip shaking and ‘want to dance like crazy’ dancers including dadis, daddus, gabru, mutiars, mums, dads, uncle and aunties! all this was very thoughtfully complimented with the classic Indian menu for such occasions. the table was set for all to enjoy a sumptuous meal or to simply re-fuel before hitting the dance floor yet again. at every step in organising the event, focus was put on raising funds urgently required to provide the much needed bus to the children living within 30-40 kms of Jyothis. Gifts for the lucky dip were generously donated by friends and acquaintances. Even DJ Vittal Iyer offered his services for the evening, free. an impressive $9,000 were collected. No management and administration fees are deducted from the funds thus raised. at the end of the day, we live in a society that believes in ‘give and take’, perhaps more in ‘take’. But in the disguise of a musical and fun evening for family and friends, participants ended up being on the ‘giving’ end of the things and all for a good cause!

It is therefore safe to say:

Datavyam iti yad danam diyate ’nupakarine dese kale ca patre ca tad danam sattvikam smrtam this is a quote from the Bhagwad Gita which translates as: Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, and to a worthy person, is considered to be in the mode of goodness.