A Covid-19 fundraiser calls on Potterheads to take a quiz and help rural India

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If you are a Potterhead or have a friend who is one, you surely know that July is when most books of the fantasy series were published and that it also the month when Harry Potter's birthday is celebrated. Naturally, during this time of year, Potterheads the world over revel in discovering and discussing theories with each other.

To take the love for this fictional character and his universe, and channel it towards helping with Covid-19 relief work, the eArth Samvarta Foundation (eSF), an Uttar Pradesh-based not-for-profit organisation is co-hosting ‘PotterWatch, a Harry Potter Quiz Championship' on July 4. The quiz, which will be conducted by quizmasters and organisers, Srinath Bharadwaj, Abhineet Pandey and Medha Bose, aims to raise funds to provide access to the best medical facilities to rural India, where people are still in the midst of the second wave, while also preparing for a possible third wave.

"JK Rowling and JRR Tolkien managed to create a great universe around their stories. So, we decided to host a fun quiz around the Harry Potter universe to crowdfund and help rural areas deal with Covid-19 ahead of the third wave. This is one of many other initiatives," says Chandarprabha Sharma, CEO and co-founder, eSF, who is a Potterhead herself. The foundation is hosting it together with the Network Capital Covid Response Team, a networking platform for professionals that Sharma is also a part of. In the last one year, the group has been multitasking by taking Covid-19 relief into many rural areas in India through volunteer-driven initiatives.

Sharma adds that after noticing donor fatigue in the second wave, they thought about how they could make giving a better experience. Being Potterheads themselves, she said it seemed natural to appeal to Harry Potter fans, as it would be fun and exciting for them to participate and meet other superfans through such an event.

In the past, the award-winning not-for-profit, which has been designated as a nodal NGO of NITI Aayog for Covid-19 relief work, has also run river and ocean conservation and waste management projects in Mumbai and have partnered with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). However, the focus has shifted in the last one year and they have been instrumental in aiding rural health centres in parts of India, especially in Uttar Pradesh. They have tied up with 10 districts including Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, and Gonda.

After being flood by messages in the initial days of the pandemic, Sharma realised the extent of need in villages. She explains, "We tied up with Network Capital and created a Covid-19 response team to help. We also realised that we could help these areas with the help of professionals, who are good at what they do and are a part of this group."

They have hosted a variety of fundraisers including coffee and tea workshops, and while the Harry Potter championship is a standalone pop quiz, eSF is also reaching out to professionals. They are hosting masterclasses conducted by experienced people in the industry from July 11 to August 1. These experts will share important tips in art, sales, and brand marketing. Viewers can either book one session or all the sessions, and 100 per cent of the proceeds will go towards helping the locals and workers of rural health centres.

‘The PotterWatch: A Harry Potter Quiz Championship' will take place on July 4 at 11:30 am. Donations start from Rs 500 and are capped at Rs 10,000. Follow this link to register: https://insider.in/potterwatch-a-harry-potter-quiz-championship-jul4-2021/event

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