Delhi-based NGO 'Helping Hands' decides to spread wings across India

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The Helping Hands, a New Delhi-based NGO for NE helping people in distress, on Sunday during a virtual meeting, chaired by its president Robin Hibu, took few momentous decisions to spread its wings across the country.

Hinting on ignorance by many people about the NGO, media consultant Pradeep Kumar suggested involving members of news agencies ANI, PTI, UNI and press clubs of NE States.

While accepting the proposal, Hibu, the first IPS officer from Arunachal who is currently the Special Commissioner of Delhi Police, mooted the idea of expanding counselling services in finance, health, legal and education sectors.

Students intending to go for coaching for higher studies and lucrative services would come under the education sector.

He pinpointed the name of Gaurav Raj Thakur and Akash Sharma as micro and fiancé counsellors, Dr Lira Sangtam, Dr Kalom Jamoh and Dr Suman Bhardwaj as health counsellors and advocate Daniel Lingdoh (Supreme Court) and Rajesh Narang (High Court) as a legal counsellor

Hibu sought suggestions when Sharma pointed out that the proposed video on Helping Hands activities is yet to take shape, while Kumar called for making it emotional with video footage of mortal remains of NE people who die in cities being sent by air to their native places for last rites.

When Thakur said that the fund collection drive is yet to gain momentum and only Rs 2.4 lakh has been collected so far, Kumar suggested that the above video should be made soon and presented to whoever is asked for help as 'seeing is believing'.

Thakur also said that the target to collect Rs 30 to Rs 40 lakh is becoming a herculean task, Kumar said there is no dearth of good Samaritans and committed efforts are needed. Helping Hands co-founder Manish Sisodia informed about managing Rs 15 lakh donation.

Hibu also lauded Thakur's efforts to seek a donation from Abu Dhabi which though did not materialize for some reasons. Apprehending that lack of registration could be the reason; Kumar sought the status of Helping Hands' registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010.

Sharma informed about satisfactory progress including a green signal from Nirman Bhawan which Hibu termed as praiseworthy. He also suggested noted fashion designer Jenjum Gadi for decent designs for tie and T-shirt for members.

Besides proposing a gate together of all members and their family tour to Lakshadweep or Daman and Diu Island post-COVID-19 pandemic, Hibu, however, cautioned all about the possibility of the third wave for which a thought plan should be chalked out about requirements for ambulances, burial sites etc.

Expressing shock about a NE woman and a young man who had committed suicide for failure to meet their both ends in cities, Hibu informed about receiving SOS calls from Arunachal's Doimukh and Namsai.

Kumar suggested developing a network of all officers of NE state governments posted in liaison offices across India as 'Hum hey na' to keep a tab of NE people either working or studying.

Also Read: 'Everyone please come forward, we need more helping hands' Says Sonu Sood

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