Monday, December 8, 2014

Social Media/ Social Service

GOOD SAMARITANS COLLABORATE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM TO RAISE FUNDS FOR BURNS VICTIM

SAGAR CHHETRI
While there may be innumerable arguments for and against social media the fact is that the world has certainly become smaller with the increasing use of the internet. This also means that communication has become that much easier and much faster. From spreading word [even propaganda], to garnering support for social causes online, social networking sites have come to play a significant role, leveraging their reach, the immediacy of the medium and the guarantee of instant sharing – to motivate wider social responsiveness. Sikkim got to experience one such engagement in a recent case when the Marwari Yuwa Manch, Gangtok branch, and Voice of Sikkim, an online social media site, came together to gather support and funds for a burns victim from West Sikkim.

As on the evening of 04 December 2014, a sum of Rs. 2,50,092 [Two Lakhs Fifty Thousand and Ninety Two Rupees] had been collected and deposited in the victim’s bank account.
18-year-old Roshnee Darjee who hails from Yangtey village in West Sikkim had sustained 30 percent burn injuries in an accident in Siliguri seven months ago. She was undergoing treatment in Gyalshing Hospital when some members of an NGO found out about her condition and contacted Voice of Sikkim for help.  
“After we posted an appeal on our Facebook page asking for support from organisations, the Marwari Yuwa Manch Gangtok immediately came forward,” informs VOS spokesperson, DK Chettri. He adds that Marwari Yuwa Manch played a vital role in the whole process especially its president, Ajay Agarwal.
The Marwari Yuwa Manch president informs that after getting in touch with the Voice of Sikkim, the Marwari Yuva Manch agreed to handle the money being raised for Roshnee’s treatment. He adds that all the money contributed by individuals and organisations and even students is being deposited into Roshnee’s bank account opened in the Central Bank of India on a daily basis.
The victim is undergoing treatment at STNM Hospital, Gangtok, at present, but will be taken to Agra for further treatment in the next 15 days. “She will be taken to Dr Saraswat in Agra for grafting and other required surgery,” informs Mr. Agarwal. It is informed that Dr Saraswat has held many camps in Sikkim in the past.
Marwari Yuva Manch has been assisting the girl’s family and ensuring that the financial contributions are deposited in her bank account.
“It is heartening to see that financial support came from different organisations, government employees, school students and individuals and even from abroad,” says Mr Agarwal. People working in different parts of the country and abroad like USA, Dubai, Qatar and Singapore also made contributions, he adds.
Mr. Chettri of VOS says that through such initiative the VOS is fulfilling its social responsibility and encouraging others by highlighting the positive role that social media can play. VOS has been engaged in such social initiatives in the past as well, he adds. He further expressed gratitude to the STNM Hospital for its full cooperation and taking better care of the patient.
Ajay Agarwal says that all members of Marwari Yuva Manch, Gangtok Town were very happy to help Roshnee. “The main objective of our organisation is to provide service to the needy people, so in this case too our members just kept their business aside for some time to help the girl,” he shares.
“After Roshnee's treatment is complete, we have requested her area MLA to handle the remaining money in her account to ensure it is used properly and to make Roshnee self-reliant,” he informs.
Marwari Yuva Manch Gangtok Town is just around two years old. It has three other branches at Rangpo, Singtam and Jorethang while there are 850 branches in the entire country.

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