Eight-year-old Priyanka Kargupta was travelling from New York to her Maryland home in the US with her father on November 26, 2008, when she heard about the terror attacks on radio.
“She kept saying that she wanted to do something for victims. She suggested raising funds for children, who are maimed or orphaned, as she knew about children in the US raising funds for girl scouts. So, we suggested setting up a website,” said her father, Hillon, an associate professor at the University of Maryland.
Last December, the Karguptas launched the website www.kidsformumbai.org, asking people to donate $1 for Mumbai children.“We had hoped to collect $500 by March and thanks to worldwide support we achieved our goal,” he said.
The family signed a deal with NGO Childline India Foundation on March 25.
“Priyanka, who has been in touch with the NGO for three months, will be sending the first instalment of Rs 25,000. We would identify children who are in need of education, healthcare, lodging and like,” said Nishit Kumar, head of communication and strategic initiatives, Childline India.
And the Karguptas are proud of Priyanka. “She started raising funds through neighbours, friends and distributing pamphlets in school. She also posted a note on a reporter’s blog who was covering the attacks,” said Hillon. The Karguptas have decided to run the website for another year, especially for the 26/11 victims, after which they plan to set up another network called Kids for World.
{{/usCountry}}And the Karguptas are proud of Priyanka. “She started raising funds through neighbours, friends and distributing pamphlets in school. She also posted a note on a reporter’s blog who was covering the attacks,” said Hillon. The Karguptas have decided to run the website for another year, especially for the 26/11 victims, after which they plan to set up another network called Kids for World.
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