Nowadays ,often when I watch the Indian Talk Show ‘Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai’ hosted by versatile actor
Anupam Kher on Television I tend to get into a flashback mode -Almost 7 years
back it was a weekday evening, C.R.Y. (Ngo-Child
relief and you) had invited me for a donors’ meet at a school in Khar Mumbai.
They showcased the work they had been doing for many years, i.e support and advocacy for child rights.
Never did I dream that a time will come when I would feel so strongly about this cause and get so involved with the issues, that I would start my own non-profit organization –“Citizens Association for Child Rights [CACR]”.
On 28th June 2014, CACR completed a
year of its operation and thanks to the blessings of the Almighty and the good wishes
of our members and volunteers, the celebration cum orientation workshop was very
well attended despite the heavy downpour in Mumbai.
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| WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN -TOGETHER |
The experience of anchoring similar initiatives for the earlier NGO sensitized and instilled an unknown confidence within me, to go in the world and talk about issues related to the poor functioning and dismal quality of education in Mumbai’s Municipal (Inner city) Schools. Our public schools face such neglect, despite the extraordinary budgets sanctioned every year for primary education. I have also explained to many people why and how citizens’ participation is extremely important to make a difference.
I feel deeply involved and concerned to ensure better functioning of schools and improving their quality of education. This is probably reflected in my interactions with individuals, citizens groups, activists, government authorities etc. Such interactions and planned interventions will ultimately help in improving the accountability, functioning and the quality of education in our municipal schools
I am grateful to all the people who listened
to me patiently, encouraged me, and guided me on how to tackle the various seemingly
intractable issues in the MCGM. Few of them believed in me completely and
decided to hold hands and walk together with me in what has been an
unbelievable and most satisfying journey so far.
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| Our FIRST Anniversary |
To be honest, the last few years of my journey
has been truly amazing and the satisfaction I get while meeting and discussing how
like-minded citizens can work together
with the concerned authorities to help improve the system (improve it rather
than create parallel systems) cannot be described in words, thinking about it makes me extremely emotional.
.
I know, we have taken only the first few steps and there is a long way to go, but I feel very positive and committed towards the cause and with the support of my Co-Directors Vidya Vaidya and Deepak Wadhwani, and Dr.Richa Singh our Projects & Branding Head, who have been a pillar of strength and support, as well as the good wishes and guidance of our Advisory Board CACR has now entered a ONE WAY road.
The road towards spreading the word, getting people sensitized and involving them in making a difference towards this most important cause of ensuring free, compulsory and quality education in municipal schools. Education is the only sustainable way out of the abject poverty many of our disadvantaged citizens face day in and day out.
I know, we have taken only the first few steps and there is a long way to go, but I feel very positive and committed towards the cause and with the support of my Co-Directors Vidya Vaidya and Deepak Wadhwani, and Dr.Richa Singh our Projects & Branding Head, who have been a pillar of strength and support, as well as the good wishes and guidance of our Advisory Board CACR has now entered a ONE WAY road.
The road towards spreading the word, getting people sensitized and involving them in making a difference towards this most important cause of ensuring free, compulsory and quality education in municipal schools. Education is the only sustainable way out of the abject poverty many of our disadvantaged citizens face day in and day out.
Of course,
being the Founder Director of a NGO has increased my responsibilities and
commitment to the cause but I have to once again thank every member in CACR,
since it only due to their support and good wishes that things are moving
forward, slowly and steadily, taking the system along in a positive and bright direction.So much more to learn, much more to do....
Like the title of the talk show points out a very surprising yet true fact - LIFE MEIN KUCH BHI HO SAKTA HAI...(Anything can be achieved in life if you so wish)
~Nitin Wadhwani
Founder-Director
Citizens Association for Child Rights CACR
This is the fourth article in the series of volunteer journey's with CACR on our first anniversary
The previous article can be read HERE
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