The coronavirus pandemic is changing our lives. We don’t know where are we going to be in the next six months, a year, or 10 years from now. In India, the situation is grim–even though the number of cases isn’t as high as compared to many western countries–problems like hunger, shelter, and unemployment are surfacing especially in the informal sector. In the midst of all this, citizens have been going over and beyond the call of duty and donating money for the underprivileged.
An inspiring story of an 11-year-old, Ridhi Vangapally, from Hyderabad, has come to light. Ridhi has not only donated her pocket money but has also raised funds from her family and friends through an online campaign to help the needy during the time of crisis.
“I saw that there were several people struggling for basic necessities and they hadn’t eaten for days. I decided to help them with my pocket money,” said the sixth-grader in an interview with a media daily. She finally raised 9.2 lakh under her initiative ‘Care-ona’ and we’re lauding the little one.
Her mother, Shilpa Vangapally said, “Ridhi made a list of the basic needs, the cost and how long supplies last for a family of four. She came up with a supply kit. She was initially able to raise Rs 1.3 lakh from family members, which we used to supply 200 kits on April 2 with the help of Cyberabad police.”
After this, Ridhi started a crowdfunding page where she requested people to help those less fortunate than them. This, in turn, helped raise the rest of the funds and the family is now procuring 1,000 kits for distribution.
Ridhi, at such a young age you’ve shown courage and a sense of empathy that seems like a lost virtue in today’s fast-paced world. We’re giving you a standing ovation for your strength of character.
If you’d like to make a monetary contribution to help those in need, you can donate to the PM Cares fund, here are the details:
Name of the Account: PM CARES
Account Number: 2121PM20202
IFSC Code: SBIN0000691
SWIFT Code: SBININBB104
Name of Bank & Branch: State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch
UPI ID: pmcares@sbi
Here are some other NGOs where you can donate:
Goonj
Bank: HDFC Bank Ltd.
In The Name Of: Goonj
A/c No: 04801450000130
IFSC Code: HDFC0000480
Swift Code: HDFCINBB
MICR Code: 11024007
Hasiru Dala
Name on Account: Hasiru Dala
Savings Account #: 64132965349
Bank: State Bank of India, Cauvery Bhavan Branch, Bengaluru
IFSC: SBIN0003182
Give India
You can donate here
Featured Image: TOI, Money Control