Mumbai: Six events to do as part of #DaanUtsav 2017

From painting schools to donating sandwiches, here's how you can be part of #DaanUtsav 2017

Mumbai Metro celebrations
If you travel via Chakala, Marol, Saki Naka, Andheri and DN Nagar Metro stations, spare a few minutes to stop by and participate in any of the interactive activities initiated by organisations such as Magic Bus, CRY, ISKCON and Children Toy Foundation. "When it comes to the welfare and development of underprivileged kids, we only think about food and education. But playing games is equally important as children can learn important life skills that way. Which is why the NGOs will be conducting different interactive games at the Metro stations, where they will sensitise commuters to the different needs of children," says Pooja Ferwani, an official with Mumbai Metro. You can also donate toys at the Children Toy Foundation stall, which managed to collect 1,500 toys during last year's edition of #DaanUtsav.
LOG ON TO: www.facebook.com/MumbaiMetroOfficial for more updates

Children at a Seva Sandwich event

Seva Sandwich
Public foodgasms on Instagram might be a trend that has caught on, but there are several people who don't have the privilege to buy even a loaf of bread. If you want to do your bit, be a part of Seva Sandwich, where a group of people will get together to make a variety of sandwiches and distribute them to homeless people, so that they too can experience that which we take for granted. "We have tied up with local restaurants in Vile Parle that will be donating sandwiches and vada pavs. In addition to this, volunteers will prepare sandwiches from 9 am to 11 am and then go on a distribution drive through slums in the western suburbs. You can donate money or join us with loaves of bread, butter or jam and help prepare the sandwiches," says Srabani Biswas of iVolunteer.
At: Cheeranjeev Building, Chhitranjan Road, Vile Parle East.
Log on to: www.facebook.com/SevaSandwich/

People painting a wall in the city

Burst of colour
Hate the concrete monotony of the city? Here's your chance to add a burst of colours and promote education and cleanliness at the same time. iVolunteer has organised City as a Canvas, a nine-day marathon that involves painting public spaces. You can sign up to paint the walls (paint will be provided) or make a monetary donation to support the cause. Volunteers will get to paint walls across Andheri, Ghatkopar, Lower Parel, Dadar, Churchgate and Colaba. "We will follow four themes for the murals — Environment, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Stop Modern Slavery (child rights and violence against women) and Sports Education, as India is part of the Under-17 World Cup and we need to educate people more. We also have the concept of an open school, where we paint alphabets, numbers, days of the week, etc, on walls to help educate street kids," says Gaurav Gupta of iVolunteer.
From: September 30 to October 8
To register: www.facebook.com/ivolunteer.in
To Donate: bitgiving.com/cityasacanvas

Powai Pet Fest
Love animals and pets? This is the event you need to head to. Powai Pet Fest is a charity event for stray animals organised by Doggie Days, a WhatsApp group for animal lovers. The venue will host stalls put up by various organisations that will conduct awareness workshops, games, talent shows and a fancy dress party for pooches, and also have goodies for our canine friends. It will also have a 'wish tree' put up by the organisations, and if you make a realistic one, it will be fulfilled on the spot.
On: October 1 and 2
At: Nortia Grounds, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai.
Call: 982039991

Adopt-a-Book
Here's a chance to introduce your kids to a historic spot in the city in a fun way. Adopt-a-Book is a children's literature festival-cum-crowdfunding campaign where kids get to attend sessions hosted by authors inside the historic Asiatic Library and adults can adopt a book in the library for its restoration. "Last year, as part of #DaanUtsav, we beautified 36 railway stations across the city. That's when I realised the power schoolchildren can yield. Going to a physical library is out of fashion nowadays. So we thought, why not organise these sessions in the library, as not only children but adults too will experience the space," says Shishir Joshi, CEO, Mumbai First, which is organising this initiative.
Log on to: impactguru.com to adopt a book and Mumbaifirst.org to view the schedule

MESCO collection drive
Organise a collection drive in your residential society with the aid of an organisation called MESCO. They will send out three vans across the city to pick up old newspapers, toys, clothes, stationary and more, which will be used to educate children, treat patients and provide ration. All you need to do is seek permission from your society, and spread awareness about the cause.
Call: 24474356 for the pickup van
Log on to: daanutsav.co for the full list of events

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