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Firstly let me introduce,
I am a member of a Social working group (not calling NGO as we don’t like that way) Saayam Cheddam Foundation (SCF)
SCF majorly work in rural areas and while extending our helping hand in different situations (Projects) One of the need is, supporting to a Physically challenged, (details in image)

As we always do: tried to contribute with in group members. But as time is ticking away and Madhu (need) is desperately waiting and loosing down day by day. We decided to speed up, we came up to a event which is “everyone benefited”…. “EAT 2 SUPPORT”

Though it was discussed with in the group and felt like to pick up the plan, it let me with a surprise that other than me and one other member, felt none of the team really understood the severity of this event. In terms of.. Intention behind (Madhu loosing down hope) and Pre-work involved to execute the event.
Majority looked very casual in approach, while we had left with only one week of time left to do works: Mainly spreading the event and efforts kept in getting peoples (our circles) interest.

Felt like, WE ARE FAILING TO IMPLEMENT PLANS OUT OF WILL, feared we are un-strengthening TEAM.
Reason, we are watching and not playing out part….. Sense of DANGER for a TEAM.

More than a team member, I would like to contribute as I understood the need and hence picked up the intensity of my efforts. Tying those which I am NEVER used to

Mission starts:
Day1: March 18, Monday.
Half the day, Designed a banner(rolling stand) stating the event and the cause/intention behind, which I wished to display and stand beside it to explain at query.
Given order for pamphlets which will be dispersed with the local areas: In and around BHEL

Personal end,
Wished to visit my friends and relatives house in briefing the intentions behind the buffet.

Started with a friends house: Met Sunil’s father (while sunil lives abroad)
Uncle was delighted to know that I am part of social activities. Uncle congratulated SCF efforts and wished us more achievements in future as well.
Would say this is a great encouraging start for people like me, as I am never comfortable asking for something.
Though said to pay the money at buffet, he gave Rs. 1000/- and said, though we(uncle with aunt) misses to make it, he wanted this money to go to this need.

Next to my Aunt’s place: Bharathi pinni.
Aunty and Uncle were engaged with work, while cousin (their son, Rinku) heard the briefing about the event.
Neutral feelings. They might confirm their decision in coming days.

Next to my cousin’s place: Vani akka
To the surprise, everyone where at home (usually her husband stays home only on holidays as he works in a different place)
Took good time here and spent some quality time as well. Whole family heard the event intentions and shared few other activities that SCF does.
They liked the activities and are happy to hear them.
Straight away registered for the event in my presence.

Though thought of visiting other cousin’s house near by, as it’s already 10:30 Pm, dropped and started back home.

Day 2: March 19 – Tuesday.
Gonna do very new things, indeed which I never dreamt. But wished to do as it’s not for my benefit, but to a NEED.
After waking up early( 6 Am), moved to BHEL walking track at stadium and installed the banner.
Banner with a rolling stand. I was really tensed up(before, while and sometime after installing) as it’s something that I have never done it before and now doing it all alone.
My hands were shivering, my legs have no energy, don’t know who all seeing me wived as it’s rare people see something installed between them. Due to a bit heavy wind face few problems with the stand, it was not standing and i need to find some adjustments here and there, holding it for sometime and the banner unit being 6 ft height it’s getting hard to stand still. Finally with few more adjustments made it to stand study.
Stood beside it with SCF T-shirt on.
Could find most of them very dedicated and serious at work: no diversions, just kept jogging. they didn’t even noticed that there’s a banner displayed.
Few noticed a banner, but their feet didn’t allowed them to stop and read. They read to what they can on their way of jog.
Very few read it completely and surprisingly they didn’t noticed me (volunteer)
Very Very few even saw me and luckily recognized as volunteer and hence i smiled and asked if they need any help to understand.
Only one then after took down the contact number and asked for my name 🙂

While after 40 Min. just after people started to notice there’s something is showed for them to read, an huddle !!!!!
Two people, one BHEL employee and a security guard(indeed police), came rushing towards the banner. Just before my mind confirmed it, they started to pull out the banner and rolling down. I started to ask, what’s the problem, they reacted as if I am not existing there and not talking to them. Finally, atleast the security guy spoke after 2min. and said :go to BHEL estate office. Though both of them are not hearing me at all, finally after the employee left, while talking to the guard, he said, advertising in BHEL is not allowed and hence i need to see the estate officer. Replied, banner unit will be handed back only after the estate officer informs them to do so.
Rushed to the estate office, and tried to locate where’s the concern officer. Called up to a known uncle who works in the same office, as couldn’t locate the officer. Uncle helped me out and made things smoother and dealed in getting back the banner.

While getting it back, a strange and funny incidence.
Officer was asking, “how to get thinner” !!!, my expression was so confusing, he again asked “how to loose wait”. I looked at myself and had no idea of what is he asking…. then suddenly some how my mind gave me a hint, are they thinking that, by he banner I am advertising my spa/yoga center or something such :O .
Yes surprised completely… see the image(banner) why he asked me that…

Ya, that shows they read/understood only the first line… ” DO YOU EAT ? ” and felt I am advertising how can someone get thinner. Adding to this, a great coincidence is I am doing it at jogging/walking track !! 😀

Have advertised for 40 min. and time took to get back banner: 1hr.

Things to learn,
When ever any activity is planned, we should be informing the local society office.
Ya though it was hard for me to take these stuffs, (never used to)
but the learning it taken 🙂
(And not sure every society office will permit you to do good things, for free. In such case should know how to handle it :P)

In afternoon,
Collected the 2000 pamphlets.

Though it was in a hectic schedule, I am supposed to meet, Mr. Gangayya gaaru (Spurthi Grameenabhivruddi Samkshema Seva Sangam of Maadugula, Anakapalli) who has come Hyd. on his work.
As per the plan I moved to Lingampalli MMTS station at 2:30pm to meet him in Sec’bad station before he leaves (4 pm). Very unfortunately, trains are running late and MMTS will only start after 3:40pm, as now meeting him is almost a tight call, called up Gangayya gaaru saying can’t make it.
Don’t know was it fortunate or un-fortunate it happened this way, but though felt it really bad not able to meet up Gangayya gaaru, but continued to work on EAT 2 SUPPORT.

Back to work,
Met a bakery: K.S.Bakery, Chandanagar.
Wanted to check is it possible to keep the pamphlets in their bakery.
It happened this way,
When I asked the cashier, need 2 min of his time as I wish to talk to him.
Straight away he looked on to my T-Shirt, read it and then hesitantly permitted me to go ahead ( I was on with he Foundation volunteer T-Shirt)

When i said the subject: We (org) have an event in BHEL and wanted to check can our pamphlets be placed.
He wasn’t that happy and said can see the counter, there’s no place any where.
But when I continued to explain the intentions behind the event and the cause for which we are doing, that made things much comfortable for him to say YES.
He even talked casually, asked what I do other than service and where do i stay

Then after moved to a News paper distributor in Chandanagar,
Given 1700 pamphlets for distribution.
Initially charged and took Rs. 400, don’t know why but I felt it fair enough to explain the what’s in the pamphlet and when did that, he gave a surprised response…
He returned Rs. 50 and said he will be doing it for Rs. 350, probably this 50 was his profit i guess. He left his profit amount and supported the cause.
He showed, “Helping can be done by anyone, from where we are and from what we have“.

Later in Late evening,
Visited few friends house…
Took time of 30min. atleast at each, in explaining the Cause behind the event
Though initially they said, they are already occupied and are not available for the day, but understanding the cause, said they will surely try to join.

Reached back home by 11pm,
Checked with online updates and registrations and sent acknowledge sms.
My Phone number has been tagged for this event.

Day 3: March 20, Wednesday
As advertising is not allowed inside BHEL township, woke up to my regular time.
Met a local shop keeper, to whom explained the event and requested to keep few pamphlets with them. As he had no issues, did so.

In afternoon after lunch,
Moved to a place where advertising is allowed (wednesday veg. market), went till there with a friend joined me. But couldn’t gain enough courage to place it.
Reason is, as the event is a paid event… some where i am a bit afraid, does BHEL society allows a paid event in the Venue.
Was walking here and there, trying to talk to myself and gain some clarity .. should i be placing the banner ?

Finally after 45 min. decided, not to do any kind of advertise(broadcast) in and around BHEL and risk the venue permission (which is yet to come a day before the event).
To make sure the event don’t face any problems atleast to the people who are attending. Hence didn’t place the banner and left the place.

From here went to a near by Super market: Vijeitha, Chandanagar.
Wished to try speaking to the super market management and see if they can allow to place the banner(which my mind still not ready/clear) or leave few pamphlets.
Stepped in with a hesitating state of mind, asked for the incharge of the store. Found him really busy as it’s already evening… waited for some time. Come out with out talking, feeling probably it’s GOD’s wish not to braodcastingly advertise the event (as said there’s a point of risk for venue approval if the event don’t match the rules and regulations of BHEL society)
This made my mind clear, not to publish the event this way with banner and hence totally started to meet people personally of my know and explain them.

In late evening,
Met few of friend’s house.
From which one uncle (Abhinav’s father) gave a cheque of Rs. 2k towards the cause and said he can’t make to the event.
While other weren’t still sure for their availability.

Day 4: March 21, Tuesday
Went to meet one of a family friend’s house with dad.
Uncle delighted hearing about the event and more to the cause behind. As he will be out of station on the day and he didn’t like that to be a reason, hence gave Rs. 500 towards the cause and said he wants to be the part of the happening atleast this way (though he can’t make it)

In afternoon,
Been a part in making/giving inputs to social banners.

In evening,
Been a part in discussing about the event in detailed with few of the co-volunteers of SCF

Went to meet few other friend’s house.
The same response: after hearing the event cause, said will be trying to make it. only can confirm in last minutes/day.

Day 5: March 22, Friday
Was working on the social banners and event handling organizing with another volunteer.

In evening,
Went to the chruch: BETHEL Ministries, Chandaganar, for a special gathering.
And here’s the day which made things feel great and happy for the event.
A great response to the invitation kept in the chruch notice board last sunday and explained few.
After the gathering, Danny brother(one of the crucial member of chruch activities) spoke to me and said, take it down we all the youth from chruch will be coming to the event after second service. Take it 30 members for sure.
I experienced great happiness hearing that support… a happiness that someone have understood the cause behind and want to play their part.

Danny brother added, they liked the concept of the event.. complimented it’s INNOVATIVE.
Felt it’s just GOD’s GRACE, as I didn’t speak(explained the cause) to none of those who are ready to come.

Day 6: March 23, Saturday
In morning spent some time in giving finish touches to the social banners (time is really short)
Was bit tensed up while going to BHEL estate office in getting the permission letter for the venue, as to the heard it’s given to only those of employees who are in service. And I applied with guidance of a staff there on my dad’s name who is a retired Employee.
Went and with few extra formalities received the permission, which eased me a bit.

Straight away went to the venue,
talked to the staff there and requested them to come early tomorrow as we have a function. Had a chat for 15min, they have given few inputs too.

In afternoon after getting the provision,veggies and tent list from cook,
Started to get them.
Satish you made it easy doing all this together with me, thank you for joining in helping me to shop all the required.

Things were on the toe from 3 pm – 11 pm
Shopped all the required: provisions and veggies
Booked tent house and said him to come in morning tomorrow to venue
Took banner prints (un-expectedly took long time here)
Took few packed water bottles
Booked wood for cooking

Came back home, in night (11:30 Pm)
Worked on few other things whole night.

Day 7: March 24 : Sunday
It’s the day that we all are dreaming and working on..
Was at venue with dad by 6 am
Satish called up and joined by 6:30 am
Harini joined by 7pm

Cook was a late and reached at 7:20 am
While tent was even late and reached at 7:40 am

Soon after things started to happen
Volunteers started to join, while few were sent to shop for few more which cook missed mentioning in the list given to us.
Of all the hurried up in getting the masala grinded, getting curd, panner and icecreams..
on other hand, we started to place the registration tables and place the banners and all..

Attendees started to flow in from 11:40 am with my parents to start with 🙂
Felt bit bad that we couldn’t start the buffet to the said time.. 12 pm, as food isn’t still ready.
We apologized and announced would be more delay of 30 min. for buffet to open.
Mean while requested to look around the banners placed including Madhu’s and volunteers would like to help to understand if they need.

We served soft drink as a waiting drink 😀 (un-expected)

Was receiving attendees and it was 1:30 pm by the time food is prepared and opened the buffet, we once again apologized for the delay and invited to have food.

We captured few pictures while the event and at the Madhu’s banner while people started to exit the event after lunch. We even given a return gift as token of thanks for joining hands and being part in giving life to a struggling co-human.

After the event finishes it was an extraordinary feeling seeing the support
Total Members attended : 106
Total funds raised (excluding expense): Rs. 27,630/-

Feeling it great, because the purpose of the event, raising the deficit funds is fulfilled.
That means, Need will start living independent very soon.

Received good feedback from attendees
Most of them are happy being a part of the event.
More details on how the event went on at : Minutes of event(SCF FB group event)
It was 5:40 pm by the time everything was paid and left the venue.

Special Note:
There’s one friend of mine(non-SCF) who gave good timely support at required.
Satish, I won’t be forgetting you on this.

Images Captured: Click for Event pics

Few of the social banners placed in the event: