Just one Kshana to spread a smile across city

This bunch of young Mumbaiites takes time out to give happy moments to those yearning for them


Sweta Ramanujan
Mumbai, February 16:  How you can help
You can spread smiles with Kshana. Be a member, or volunteer or donor. For details, call Ritesh Thakkar on 9820432811 or or e-mail kshana.org@rediffmail.com

THEY’re aged 17 to 23 and meet at coffee shops and other trendy teen hangouts.

But the purpose behind their meetings is serious—entertaining those who have little reason to smile.

At least twice a month, Kshana, a non-governmental organisation of 37 volunteers, goes to orphanages, homes for the aged and the differently abled to spread cheer. With them go their network of magicians, musicians and mime artistes.

‘‘I visited a home for the visually impaired and realised that they didn’t have any live entertainment,’’ says Ritesh Thakkar, one of the three founders and chair person of the organisation. ‘‘We just wanted them to have fun.’’
The youth organisation—was born on December 25, 1999, when three students of Narsee Monjee College, Vile Parle, came up with the idea.

After a couple of disappointing experiences—some institutions did not let them perform saying they were too ‘inexperienced’—their plans took off, with games of housie, juggling and magic shows.

More members and artists came from putting up stalls at their college festival, Umang.

‘‘Many artistes offered to perform at our events. Students expressed a desire to join. We soon realised people wanted to do something but didn’t know how,’’ says Thakkar.

Swapnesh Dave, for instance, joined Kshana after attending one of its events for slum children.

‘‘When I saw those kids’ faces, I just had to be a part of the organisation,’’ says Dave, who works with an information technology firm.

In four years, the organisation has grown from three to 37. ‘‘The youngest member is 17,’’ says Vaishakhi Mehta, a student of mass media and director (Public Relations).

One Bandra-based businessman invited Kshana to organise an event for inmates of a leprosy home in Wadala last year is all praise.

“They are fantastic. People are looking for Indian idols, but I had 20 that day,’’ he said, on condition of anonymity.

The oldest? The group points to Thakkar(23)—a relationship manager with Prudential ICICI Asset Management.

For many volunteers, Kshana has changed the way they look at life. ‘‘It makes me feel fortunate, and more empathetic,’’ says Urvi Shah, a law student and director (Events).

Fifty-one events later, Thakkar and his gang are trying to get more people to join and raise more funds. ‘‘I want to see Kshanas all over the city,’’ says Thakkar. ‘‘One is not enough.’’

Sweta Ramanujan
Mumbai, February 16:  How you can help
You can spread smiles with Kshana. Be a member, or volunteer or donor. For details, call Ritesh Thakkar on 9820432811 or or e-mail kshana.org@rediffmail.com

swetaramanujan@expressindia.com


Thanks and regards,
Kshana Team.
(www.kshana.org)

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