CHENNAI: Come festivities, the spirit of giving is witnessed in abundance. Join the pan Indian initatve, Daan Utsav (earlier Joy of Giving Week), where everyone can look to giving back.
Spreading the philanthropic wave this has been growing over the years, Kerala has also joined the festivities this year in a big way with Kerala Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy volunteering to spend an hour each day with the underprivileged.
Chennai will see a host of individuals and organisations celebrating the festival this year between October 2 to October 8 through events like annadaanams, spending time with the destitute, children raising funds and material to give to the needy.
Speaking at a conference by various participating institutions Vaghul, formerly with ICICI bank, said, “The festival has grown by leaps and bounds in TN. Cities like Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchy and many others are now celebrating the festival. Villages across Virudhunagar, Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts are celebrating the week”.
For their part, Courtyard by Marriott, Chennai will contribute their one day’s salary towards Marriott Home as a part of the initiative. To share the spirit of giving, an amount of `20 will be collected from every bill at Rhapsody and Paprika, the proceeds of which will go to Marriott Home, an initiative for the education of underprivileged children.
Photocake, unique to Chennai city made by French Loaf, and Oriental Cuisines will see a 1,000 kg cake with each kg for `1,500, up for display at the Forum Mall on October 2.
Daan Utsav has seen the participation of over 2 million people in 70+ cities and towns with over 900 events consisting of volunteering, donation and collection with 1,700+ schools and 450+ colleges. For details regarding the Utsav, contact Aarti Madhusudan, 09840965889.