Professionals spare weekends for social work

Two years ago, arranging a Christmas lunch for underprivileged children from slums near Mulund was a corporate event for Dolly Rateshwar — an executive with a leading social networking site, reports Naziya Alvi.

Two years ago, arranging a Christmas lunch for underprivileged children from slums near Mulund was a corporate event for Dolly Rateshwar — an executive with a leading social networking site.

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But after that experience, Rateshwar has spent her Sundays with the children, rather than lounging at a spa.

“Spending time with them is such a stress-buster that I almost crave for it,” said Rateshwar. This Sunday, Rateshwar was at a Thane-based orphanage teaching painting to young girls.

“No outing ever gave us this kind of satisfaction,” said Sujit Tiwari, a manager with a real estate company in Jogeshwari.

Rateshwar and ten friends — all aged between 22 and 27 spend their Sundays with underprivileged children. Most of them are young professionals who believe in using their time and skills in a way that can help these children. “For most, it is easier to spend money than time,” said Prabodh Halde, who works as a senior manager with a multinational company in Andheri.

Halde has been giving a few hours of his time to a social cause on Sundays for over four years now. “My Sundays are usually busier than weekdays as I have to balance my social work with family expectations,” said Halde, who calls volunteering a compulsory social tax.

Halde was inspired by Dr Anil K Luniya, a specialist at Wokhardt Hospital, who has been doing this for 11 years now. Last year, Luniya founded Udaan Welfare Foundation, an NGO, with a network of his 45 friends, colleagues and patients, who join him on Sundays.

“Most of the members are successful doctors, engineers and businessman who have everything but still feel a void. Volunteering has filled that void,” added Luniya. “Our aim is to get professionals to use their time and skills and still not disturb their professional or personal life.”

“And it is not that difficult,” adds Sandeep Ramakrishnan, the director of an event management company. “Now that I have arranged for an early morning screening of a children film for 100 orphan girls at Maa Niketan orphanage in Thane, I am rushing back home to take my family for the matinee show of 3 Idiots. Trust me, the whole experience is very rejuvenating,” he said.