Appeal for a noble cause

Somehow to date I have not blogged for causes. Not that I am not supportive of noble causes but I fail to see the value I can bring to the table in furthering these causes. For one I find most of these causes quite obvious. There is no debating the point that honor killings, sexual exploitation of women and children, untouchability etc. are social evils. I am sure any decent human being would agree on the same and there is no new angle I can bring to make people see these issues in new light.

There is of course the aspect of pushing, prodding, convincing and mobilizing people to act. That somehow goes against my very nature. I think I myself am too confused about most of the things in the world to be telling others what they should be doing. I am sure most people know what causes they are passionate about and are doing something about the same. The people who do not contribute to social causes also possibly have strong reasons of their own. For all we know someone who is extremely passionate in his chosen vocation may be contributing more to the world than a dedicated social activist.

Having said that, I have decided better late than never I shall do my bit (for whatever it is worth) in terms of letting my blog being used as a conduit to pass on information to any of my million silent readers (There is no law against dreaming, is there?) about opportunities to make a positive difference to the world.

So I am sharing information about this initiative by an organization called Milaap. They have this initiative called #HopeProject wherein they are helping ex-devadasis to embrace change and create a new life for themselves. Just in case someone is not aware, devadasi system was a system followed in Indian villages wherein young girls were made to abdicate marriage and dedicate themselves to the service of the local deity. So far, so good, except possibly being made to do that against their will! But that is not the end of the story. The real ugly side of this was that these women were subject to sexual abuse by the rich and powerful of the village with the sanction of the religious authorities.  

From my side I can think of 4 reasons why this might be a good initiative to support.
  1. Indiblogger, a respectable bloggers’ community has chosen to associate with Milaap. So the probability of their being genuine is very high.
  2. The mode of support is loans rather than giveaways. That helps maintain the dignity and self-esteem of the person receiving the help which is a good thing.
  3. The money will be given to the recipients for investment in business, infrastructure or skill development rather than consumption. So good chances of recipient becoming self-sufficient and finding greater meaning in life rather than living on other people’s charity. 
  4. The segment of people chosen as recipients deserve the support as society has dealt them a raw deal and so society owes it to them to help them get back on track. I guess there can be no doubts that playing on one’s religious beliefs to completely degrade an individual and exposing her to abuse by unscrupulous individuals is one of the gravest forms of injustice.
There are lot of groups seeking the loans. You can lend to any of them. I am just choosing one group who wants to set up a masala making venture in the memory of my late mother who had once seriously considered setting up one such venture of her own. Please find below the picture of this group and the link to follow in order to lend the money.


12 comments:

indu chhibber said...

A noble cause indeed.

Jayashree Srivatsan said...

I heard of milaap through blog posts like hours. A noble cause indeed and it being a loan helps them receive it with dignity.

T F Carthick said...

So I guess posting about these things helps after all.

T F Carthick said...

Guess so.

Rachna said...

I feel bad that I missed the Indiblogger meet but it is good that awareness is being spread through blog posts. I have personally contributed to Milaap myself.

T F Carthick said...

Good to know, Rachna.

C Suresh said...

Good that you are doing this TF! If none get persuaded, what have you lost? If even one is moved to help, it is one more than there was in the world before.

umashankar said...

Karthik, I appreciate the reasoning of opening lines. It is an honourable work indeed. I am thinking of the bits I might do. Thanks for the inspiration.

T F Carthick said...

Thanks Suresh. So true.

T F Carthick said...

Thanks Umashankar. I was fearing it might have sounded too apologetic and deviating from the main purpose of the post.

Unknown said...

I always look to write about such issues but this time, I'm not inclined. I did my bit by loaning to one of the groups but that's the end of it. On one hand, I'm feeling bit guilty about it...but enough to blog about it :(

T F Carthick said...

Loaning is definitely more important than blogging about it, Pankti. I somehow keep my charitable activities to minimum required not to be known as anti-social due to certain philosophical issues I am struggling with. Once I see more clarity there, I might also be doing more.

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