"Joy Of Giving Week" begins with philanthrophists extending helping hands to underprivileged

MUMBAI: The annual " Joy Of Giving Week" began with philanthropists across the country extending a helping hand to the underprivileged through donations and charitable activities.

The annual festival, to be observed from October 2-8, would be partaken by many corporates, NGOs, celebrities, schools and colleges among others, who would contribute their bit in the form of money, time, resources or skills.

Goonj, a Delhi-based NGO, has organised a donation drive, which would welcome any usable items, such as water-bottles, stationery, school bags, books, uniforms, toys, spectacle frames, etc to be distributed among the deprived.

"This year, we have set up 11 collection centres in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, six in Pune, two in Delhi, one each in Bengaluru, Jaipur and Indore, where anyone can drop their used or unused belongings," Minakshi Gupta, Co-founder of Goonj, told PTI.

About 50 partner organisations have come forward to support this cause, she said, adding that a team of over 300 volunteers would work 24x7 to collect and distribute the received articles.

Manjari Pandey, a working professional, who has provided her residence as one of the collection centres, said, "It really gives joy to be a part of 'Daan Utsav' and it's a privilege to notice the joy on the faces of donors while they come to drop the articles."

"True happiness lies in giving and this week gives happiness not only to givers but to receivers too, who are actually in need." she added.