What are the barriers for people who want to do good in India?
Many of us would want to be part of the solution with regard to poverty and marginalisation in India. But given our careers and lifestyles, actually accessing these solutions is a really big issue. I'd say some basic barriers are the availability of time and having a socially responsible initiative located near where one lives.
What is Magic Bus doing to change this?
Magic Bus is basically making it easier to do good, by creating events such as the Benefit Dinner and Auction Event. It's anentertainment evening that people will bring their partners and friends and family to, and get some time off from their busy lives. Above all, it's a fun night for everyone, and we have made sure that everything, from the entertainment to the lots themselves, is exclusive in every way.
But why do you find it necessary to create events such as this?
We think serious development issues should not just remain concerns of specialists and NGOs, we think everyone has a stake in the future of India and would like to be part of the change. An event such as this engages everyone, regardless of their personal interests, in creating the future of the country. Our donors for this event are among the city's most privileged few, and it is because of their year-on-year support that we are able to carry on working with children in immediate need of support.
Why should people support your cause? What's the urgency?
Well, for one, India is a very young country. In just 20 years we will have 240 million young people ready to look for jobs. And approximately half of these will be women. Without proper training and skill building, the cycle of oppression that girls find themselves in today will continue, as a sort of slow disaster. To stop this disaster from unfolding, we need to act now, one child at a time.
How can people be part of the solution?
Some specific ways in which people can help is by contributing whatever they can: be it time, or their skills, or their products, for the cause. What's most important for us is this participation, we want to be able to make it easier to do good to pull entire generations out of poverty.
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