I got to
know about Let’s Spread Love Pune through Facebook and just fell in love with
the concept. I was waiting to volunteer and was glad that it materialized on
FRIENDSHIP DAY (7TH AUG 2016)
Definitely
wanted to do something more meaningful and worthwhile this weekend. I had
joined the Facebook group, filled the volunteer form but had innumerable
questions. Kunal and Ashutosh were patient enough to provide me all the
details. As this was my first drive, I was asked to just participate and
observe how it goes. We met outside chinchwad area Pune. The turnout was good.
It was great to meet people from diverse walks of life. Volunteers were from
different companies like Accenture, IBM, Infosys, Capgemini, Amazon, etc.
We walked as a group towards the venue although
unsure about the exact location but we managed to reach by following the cars
that had other volunteers. We reached the spot by 2 PM. It took a long time to
get the kids form a queue. They were all super excited and it was challenging
to make them sit as they were hyperactive. The kids were very smart, they
recited the English alphabets and Marathi sung. We took selfies with kids
as well as group pictures. The food boxes were first distributed to senior
citizens and later to the kids. This was the second time that the event was planned “Daan
Ustav" and it was across Pune 18k food boxes were distributed to the slum
inhabitants previously. Not sure about the count this time but I heard that the
number of kids were higher today. Kudos to them for being part of this noble
cause.
The kids were amiable and curious to know our
names. They had a photographic memory as they remembered the volunteers from
the last event that happened here. They gave high fives, shook hands, hugged
and some even kissed us. We were touched by their affection and their smiles
were priceless. Almost all of them spoke in Marathi and I was glad I was able
to communicate. Many of the volunteers were almost famished by the time we had
done with the food boxes distribution. Hats off to everyone’s enthusiasm!!
It is seemingly difficult to manage such a large
group but Harshil & team have done a commendable job in handling the
group so efficiently. It is at these times that you realize that internet and
technology too could be a boon when used constructively. Anand was saying that
some kid asked him why he is doing all this and he replied that he just wanted
to see them smile. and every event too was a big success and I will for sure
spread the word and get more will involve much people as I can in to it, Yes, Let's
Spread Love Pune
