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NGO charts unique way to induce people into donating

By SIVASISH THAKUR

GUWAHATI, May 9 - In a unique way to induce people into donating for the needy during the lockdown, a Barpeta-based NGO � Shubham � has undertaken an initiative under which the donor gets a caricature of his or her picture done by a reputed cartoonist as a token of gratitude.

The novelty of the endeavour has elicited response not just from Assam but also from many in other States as well as abroad. People from Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Odisha � and from Nepal, Oman and the USA � have contributed to the cause.

The success of the endeavour is corroborated by the fact that it has been able to attract over 150 donors within a short span time since it was launched.

With the motto �Your Photo can bring a Smile�, the NGO is reaching out to the needy through donors who are happily donating and receiving a cartoon of his or her photograph as an acknowledgement of appreciation.

�We have roped in famous cartoonist Nituparna Rajbongshi who has volunteered to make the caricatures. We collect pictures of the donors through WhatsApp numbers and e-mail and send those to Rajbongshi. The cartoonist makes the caricatures and return them to the NGO, which then sends those to the donors,� Kuldeep Das, secretary of Shubham, told The Assam Tribune.

Within a few days of the launching the initiative, the NGO received response from about 85 donors, and the number almost doubled in the next few days.

�This has effectively encouraged people to donate for the needy and the hungry who are struggling to get food and other essential commodities during the COVID-19-induced nationwide lockdown. The poor will continue to be affected even after the lockdown is lifted, and we hope to continue with our efforts to reach out to the needy in this manner,� he said.

Rajbongshi said he happily volunteered to make the caricatures in response to the noble initiative of the NGO to help poor families in distress.

�These are hard times for many who are not in a position to earn for the past one-and-a-half-months. If we can offer a small help for them through our humble work, it will mean a lot,� he said.

A donor said that he was happy to be involved in the initiative to help the needy. �We are happy to contribute to a noble cause. And the caricature of mine I received from the eminent cartoonist is a beautiful bonus for me,� he said.

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