By SHAKEEB SAYEM, (Maeeshat News) Kolkata, Eid arrived early for 247 Kids in Kolkata this time. On Monday Kolkata witnessed a spectacular and unique initiative in which less fortunate kids belonging to rag pickers families who have never been to any mall were taken to famous Spencer Quest Mall of Kolkata. These kids not only visited the mall but also given an opportunity of shopping there too. Each child was provided with Rs. 500 to buy whatever they wished for. The kids entered the mall at 10.30 a.m. and shopped there till 2:30 pm. The children in the first lot went crazy to collect stuffs as if they had this only moment and opportunity to grab.

The whole event was organized by a Kolkata based NGO Tiljala Shed. Giving details of the event, Md. Shafkat Alam, Joint Secretary of the NGO, said that the programme was conceptualized to bring underprivileged children to a mall for shopping and make it an unforgettable day in their life. “The children came from the squatter settlements of Park Circus (those living along the railway track) Topsia canal side bustee, Tangra canal side, Narkeldanga canal side areas” added Mr. Alam.

Many eminent personalities of Kolkata including Mr. Nadimul Haque, Rajya Sabha member along with his wife Farah graced the occasion. A total sum of Rs. 1,23,500/- was spent by the children on shopping. The event was made possible by the generous efforts and contributions of Mudar Pantherya, philanthropist, Miraj D. Shah (vice-chairman, Bhawanipore Gujarati Education Society College), Pawan Agarwal (MD, NK Realtors) and many other individuals. Crowd funding by many individual donors played an important role in organizing the event. Special mentions should be made about Team leader Yamini  Gambhir who along with other volunteers managed the event. A bunch of 25 first year students of Bhawanipore College came along with their professors to help the NGO in managing the children.

“None of the 247 had ever been inside a mall retail store; their first reaction was ‘waaaaooooow’. I could read wonder in each child’s eyes the way you see in that Willy Wonka film” wrote donor and veteran journalist Mudar Patherya on his facebook wall describing the event. “…what a scene…some had tears in their eyes, some were like busy grabbing chocolates…what should we name this event? We are still confused because we all are speechless” were words of Mohammad Tausif Rahman vice-president of Tiljala Shed.

The NGO Tiljala Shed was founded by Md. Alamgir in 1987 with a mission to bring change in the lives of underprivileged section of society living in Tiljala area. The NGO promised to hold such events in future too. May be a few good men cannot change the world but they can change the world of many such kids. These good humans of Kolkata have shown us the way. It is now our responsibility to traverse on this path.