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NGOs, or non-governmental organizations, play a crucial role in addressing the social, economic, and political challenges facing India. They work towards promoting development and improving the lives of underprivileged communities.

India has a long history of active NGOs that date back to the colonial era. Over the years, their numbers have grown exponentially, with an estimated 3.3 million NGOs operating in the country as of 2021. These organizations operate in a variety of sectors, including education, healthcare, environment, and human rights.

In this blog, we will take a closer look at the significance of NGOs in India and the impact they have on different sectors.Role in Empowering the Underprivileged

One of the key areas where NGOs in India make a significant impact is in empowering the underprivileged sections of society. These organizations work towards providing education, healthcare, livelihood, and other basic necessities to people who are struggling to make ends meet. They also help in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment by providing vocational training, and financial support, and creating awareness about their rights.

Addressing Environmental Concerns

Another important area where NGOs in India have a significant impact is in addressing environmental concerns. With rapid industrialization and urbanization, India is facing numerous environmental challenges such as air and water pollution, deforestation, and wildlife extinction.

NGOs in India work towards creating awareness about these issues and taking steps to mitigate their effects. They also work towards preserving the country’s rich natural heritage and promoting sustainable development practices.Fighting against Corruption

Corruption is a major concern in India and it affects the lives of people in various ways. NGOs in India work towards promoting transparency and accountability in the system and also fight against corruption by creating awareness and advocating for stronger anti-corruption measures.

One of the most significant contributions of NGOs in India has been in the area of education. Many NGOs have taken up the task of providing basic education to children in rural and urban slums. They have also been instrumental in promoting literacy and vocational training programs for women and marginalized communities.

In the healthcare sector, NGOs have been working to provide essential medical services to remote and under-served communities. They have also been actively involved in creating awareness about various health issues and running campaigns to prevent the spread of diseases.

NGOs in India are also playing a crucial role in protecting the environment. They are working to conserve natural resources and wildlife, reduce pollution levels, and promote sustainable development. They are also actively involved in mitigating the effects of climate change and promoting renewable energy sources.

Human rights is another area where NGOs in India have been making a significant impact. They have been working towards promoting equal rights and protection for marginalized communities, such as women, children, and the LGBTQ+ community. They have also been fighting against discrimination and promoting justice and equality.

About Child Help Foundation:

Child Help Foundation, as the name suggests, is a child-centric organization. They work in the best interest of the children and have a pan-India presence.

Their primary focus is on the basics such as education, health, food, and shelter and their approach is holistic and style is hands-on. They are on the ground, where it matters most for the children. They enable both families and communities. They have several grassroots initiatives.

Their vision is to reach out to marginalized children in need, empowering them, bringing smiles, and making them future-ready.

Their mission is to inspire and empower people to the culture of giving into changing the lives of children in need.

In conclusion, NGOs in India have been working tirelessly to address the numerous social, economic, and political challenges facing the country. They have been instrumental in promoting development and improving the lives of underprivileged communities. The contributions of these organizations are essential to the growth and progress of India, and they deserve our support and recognition.

It is easy to get lost in the overwhelming negativity that has engulfed us. Every day we come across some horrific news on social media, from heinous crimes to depressing turn of events. It seems like a day doesn’t go by without some horrific stuff happening in some corner of the world

In such a pessimistic environment, it is easy to lose hope in the world’s moral consciousness. However, there are still a lot of positive things happening, that often get swept under the rug. For once, let’s escape the negativity and celebrate the positive stuff that has happened around the world.

So, here are some of the positive news from around our country.

Sukla Debnath aims to end trafficking through beautician courses

Neha Jain creates packaging that dissolves in water

Kartavya Society saves an injured dog

Friends create an eco-friendly home in Aurangabad

17-year-old helps low-income domestic workers gain financial literacy

Every 4th of February, the world unites in supporting cancer victims by observing World Cancer Day. Established in the year 2000, at the World Cancer Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium in Paris, the objective of this day is to reduce cancer cases and deaths caused by cancer. The day also attempts to reduce misinformation, raise awareness and eliminate stigma. Recently, cities have also started lighting up important landscapes in orange and blue to show solidarity.

In 2016, #NoHairSelfie campaign was launched, where people were invited to share their No Hair Selfie, a digitally altered selfie to make the participants look bald, on their website and app. Thousands of people uploaded their selfies, and the money generated was donated to cancer research.

World Cancer Day is normally associated with a theme, the theme for 2019-2021 was ‘I am and I will’, which attempted to reduce fatalistic attitudes and beliefs toward cancer, and wanted to showcase how our personal actions can be powerful and impactful.

The theme for the years 2022-2024 is ‘Close the care gap’, which is an attempt to terminate the difference in access to cancer care due to race, religion, caste, gender, income etc.

The year 2022 focused on recognizing the challenges faced by marginalized groups when it comes to accessing cancer care. Income, education, location, discrimination, and prejudice are a few of the factors which can act as a barrier to cancer care. This barrier can go on to cost the lives of the patient. Similarly, eight such barriers have been recognized;

Gender-Based BarriersMisogyny pertaining to society may prevent thousands of girls from seeking cancer treatment. A woman may hesitate to go for cancer screening due to the stigma attached to breast and cervical cancer.Similarly, Men may also suffer from gender-based norms. Society’s conception of Masculinity may make a man feel reluctant to discuss health concerns. For example, a man may not go for surgery in cases of prostate cancer, out of fear of impotence.

Inaccess for Minority PopulationsIndigenous people only account for six per cent of the world's population but represent up to fifteen per cent of the world’s poor.Combine this with human rights violations, language barriers and systematic differences, it becomes extremely difficult for a non-white person to access cancer care.Similarly, Men may also suffer from gender-based norms. Society’s conception of Masculinity may make a man feel reluctant to discuss health concerns. For example, a man may not go for surgery in cases of prostate cancer, out of fear of impotence.

Poverty and Socioeconomic barriersA low-income person is more likely to die due to cancer as compared to a high-income person. This may happen due to lack of basic education, inability to take off work to seek treatment, lack of health insurance, expensive treatments etc.

Lack of resources in rural areasMost of the big-scale hospitals are focused in urban areas. Therefore it becomes difficult for a person living in a rural area to get proper cancer care. It becomes extremely heavy on the pocket to travel to major cities to get treatment.

Age-Based BarriersCancer can be easy to defeat if it is detected early. However, many symptoms are mistaken for ‘everyday health issues’, when it comes to senior citizens. Therefore, an old person is more likely to die of cancer than younger patients.

Lack of cancer care for RefugeesA large number of people fleeing from their homeland due to war and political turmoil often don’t get quality cancer care. A large number of hospitals and clinics get closed down or destroyed when it comes to such situations, making it difficult to get proper health care.

Lack of cancer care for RefugeesBarriers created by Homophobia, and Transphobia People from the LGBTQI community often face discrimination from healthcare practitioners. Also fear of being mistreated by healthcare workers also drives many LGBTQI people away from seeking healthcare.

Barriers to Disabled Cancer PatientsDisabled people require health care specifically designed for their impairment. There is also transportation difficulty and most of the hospitals are not equipped with proper care for disabled people.This year, the aim is to unite our voices and take action. Various people will use their reach and platform to raise awareness about inequity in access to cancer care.You too can use your power to gather your friends and start ?talking about inequalities in our healthcare system. So, Use your power to reduce the cancer care gap.

Becoming parents is an unworldly feeling that most couples wish to experience. The excitement that the entire household experiences when the news breaks that a couple is expecting a baby or babies is unmatched. Then starts the journey of taking utmost care of the mother, her nutrition, her fitness, mental health and of course, her cravings! No matter whatever is the financial situation in a household is, everyone tries their best to keep the expecting mother and the baby safe and healthy. Amidst all this excitement and care, it is most significant to have regular check-ups and ultrasound scans. 

What you get to know through these ultrasound scans is to evaluate the infant's growth, determine whether multiple pregnancies are present, and detect any anomalies. Although the ultrasound scan is not 100% accurate, it has the advantages of being non-invasive, painless, and safe for both the mother and the unborn child. It helps to take important decisions within the time that can save a mother’s life as well. 

But unfortunately, there are times, when despite everything going smoothly with an expecting mother’s pregnancy, certain complications take place and in order to keep both the mother and the baby safe, a premature delivery occurs. Preterm babies, often have complex health problems, especially those who are delivered very early. Prematurity-related problems often differ.

The newborn may have very minor signs of prematurity or more pronounced difficulties.

Prematurity can show itself in the following ways:

Short size, with an oversized head that is not proportional to it Sharper-looking, less rounded features than those of a full-term baby because of a lack of fat reserves

Lanugo, fine hair covering most of the body

Low body temperature is brought on by a lack of body fat reserves, especially right after birth in the delivery room.

Breathing that is laboured or respiratory discomfort

Feeding issues result from a lack of swallowing and sucking reflexes.

A premature baby will require a longer hospital stay in a dedicated nursery unit at the hospital if you birth a premature baby. The newborn may be admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or an intermediate care nursery, depending on the level of care needed.

A prolonged NICU stay increases the preterm baby's survival chances. Two-thirds of babies born at 24 weeks gestation who are admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) survive and go home. Ninety-eight per cent of babies born at 30 weeks gestation, survive. 

Though NICU treatment is accessible and practical, it is proved to be expensive for some people. At such times, what most Indian couples do is, mortgage or sell their ancestral property or belongings and are found to be in debt later. Now that the world is expanding, you can find ways to fund even prolonged expensive medical treatments. 

Crowdfunding for Preterm Babies

Crowdfunding is the practice of raising money through a large number of individuals or organisations for a particular goal or a charitable cause. The idea behind it is that obtaining comparatively little from a large number of people is simpler than getting very large investments from a small number of people. 

Now that we have discovered a way to fundraise for preterm babies, let us look at the fundamentals of crowdfunding that can assure the success of the fundraiser.

1. Set a goal amount

Every successful fundraising effort has a fundamental strategy behind it, and we're here to assist you in selecting your goals for your campaign. Starting with a goal amount is the first step. As with any medical operation, it's crucial to consider the procedure's price as well as all the smaller costs that can pile up, such as any unpaid time off from work, pricey drugs, transportation, copays, etc.

2. Be honest with the pitch

Even if you may believe that your friends and relatives already know your story, doing so effectively can have a significant impact on your fundraising efforts. Share your own experiences, use images and videos, and tell your tale honestly and plainly on your fundraising page. You are inviting your fans to participate in this story. For further advice on fundraising storytelling, see this page.

3. Share it on social media

Your fundraising story may be shared with family, friends, friends of friends, and even compassionate strangers worldwide thanks to the power of social networks. Ask friends and relatives to share the link to your social media fundraising fundraiser when you post it. Create a hashtag for your fundraising that will make it easier for people to follow your trip in order to give it your own unique spin. You might even think about starting a blog to document your journey. 

4. Update your supporters

Regular updates must be posted. It assists in updating supporters and demonstrates to new donors the possible impact of their gift. Display your appreciation. Share uplifting words. Maintaining their interest will increase their likelihood of making additional donations or sharing your story with their social networks. 

5. Thank your donors

Starting a family can be exciting, but it's not unusual for the process to be more difficult or expensive than you had anticipated. 10% of women who are childbearing age are thought to have an infertility diagnosis. It's crucial to be informed about what lies ahead and what you can do to assist if you or someone you love has received this devastating news. 

After consulting your doctor and a bit of research, you will find the treatment options best suited for infertility. There are three types of treatment for infertility. 

1. Fertility medications  

There are five medications that are frequently used to treat female infertility, and they frequently represent the initial step on the road to conception. These are not suitable for everyone, though, as there may be issues with fertility drugs depending on the patient's age and general health.

2. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

This approach is frequently used to treat male-factor infertility because it is less invasive and costly than IVF. Nevertheless, numerous research indicates that getting pregnant can require several tries.

3. In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

According to WebMD, this reliable surgery has resulted in the birth of more than three million kids. This is one of the most sought-after therapies accessible because of its excellent 41% success rate for women under 35.

Though these treatment options are available for infertility, it is proved to be expensive for some people who wish to bear a  child. At such times, what most Indian couples do is, mortgage or sell their ancestral property or belongings and are found to be in debt later. Now that the world is expanding, you can find ways to fund even prolonged expensive medical treatments and IVF is one of them. 

Crowdfunding for IVF

Crowdfunding is the practice of raising money through a large number of individuals or organisations for a particular goal or a charitable cause. The idea behind it is that obtaining comparatively little from a large number of people is simpler than getting very large investments from a small number of people. 

Now that we have discovered a way to fund IVF, let us look at the fundamentals of crowdfunding that can assure success of the fundraiser. 

1. Set a fundraising target.

Every successful fundraising effort has a fundamental strategy behind it, and we're here to assist you in selecting your goals for your campaign. Starting with a goal amount is the first step. As with any medical operation, it's crucial to consider the procedure's price as well as all the smaller costs that can pile up, such as any unpaid time off from work, pricey drugs, transportation, copays, etc.

2. Express yourself honestly and truthfully through your campaign pitch.

Even if you may believe that your friends and relatives already know your story, doing so effectively can have a significant impact on your fundraising efforts. Share your own experiences, use images and videos, and tell your tale honestly and plainly on your fundraising page. You are inviting your fans to participate in this story. For further advice on fundraising storytelling, see this page.

3. Be social

Your IVF story may be shared with family, friends, friends of friends, and even compassionate strangers worldwide thanks to the power of social networks. Ask friends and relatives to share the link to your social media fundraising fundraiser when you post it. Create a hashtag for your fundraising that will make it easier for people to follow your trip in order to give it your own unique spin. You might even think about starting a blog to document your journey. 

4. Post regular updates

Regular updates must be posted. It assists in updating supporters and demonstrates to new donors the possible impact of their gift. Display your appreciation. Share uplifting words. Maintaining their interest will increase their likelihood of making additional donations or sharing your story with their social networks. 

5. Appreciate your donors

There are several best practices and standards for thanking people who donate to a cause in the fundraising sector, and it's not just about being polite. Since the cause is yours in this instance, familiarise yourself with our helpful primer on expressing gratitude to supporters.

With crowdfunding, all of your goals can be achieved, and with the power of social media, it is bound to happen. Filaantro is a reliable crowdfunding platform that raises funds for every genuine cause that one believes in. With the user-friendly interface, easy withdrawals, social media promotions and tax benefits, Filaantro makes the fundraising experience an easy and transparent journey. 

Despite having no health benefits, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) continues to persist in countries all around the world. It includes partial or total cutting of external female genitalia. It is mainly carried out in young girls between infancy and fifteen.

It is said that over 200 million girls alive today have undergone Female Genital Mutilation. Female Genital Mutilation can have long-term consequences like bleeding and problems while urinating, cysts, infections, complications in childbirth and even an increased risk of newborn and maternal death. It can also lead to trauma, mental health issues and sexual dysfunction. It is also said that practice has no medical benefits whatsoever. 

Currently, India has no law regarding Female Genital Mutilation, thanks to the opposition of conservative religious groups like Dawoodi Bohra Women for Religious Freedom (DBWRF). However, strong and inspiring activists like Aarefa Johari and Zehra Patwa have been advocating for the ban and raising awareness about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation. 

Female Genital Mutilation not only persists in India but all over the world. It is highly persistent in African, Middle-Eastern, Latin American, Asian, and Western European countries etc. Countries with the highest prevalent Female Genital Mutilation cases of girls under the age of fourteen include Gambia (56%), Mauritania (54%), and Indonesia, where around half of the girl population under the age of eleven have undergone the practice. Countries with the highest prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation in girls above the age of fourteen include Somalia (98%), Guinea (97%), and Djibouti (93%). 

To combat this, the United Nations General Assembly declared the Sixth February as the ‘International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.’ The United Nations aims to end the practice of Female Genital Mutilation by 2030. It has also been recognized as a human rights violation. 

The theme for this year is "Partnership with Men and Boys to transform Social and Gender Norms to End Female Genital Mutilation". This theme encourages boys and men to advocate against the harmful practice of Female Genital Mutilation. This has resulted in a lot of male allies popping up and raising their voice to end Female Genital Mutilation. United Nations has also started an online campaign and asked users to use the hashtag #MenEndFGM.

While United Nations has not completely eradicated Female Genital Mutilation, its activism against the harmful practice is commendable. Through the partnership of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), a widespread programme focusing on seventeen African and Middle Eastern countries has started.

More than 6 million girls received prevention, protection, and care services related to Female Genital Mutilation. 45 million people have vowed to abandon the practice, and 532,158 girls have been rescued from undergoing Female Genital Mutilation. 

So on the sixth of February, use your Voice to raise awareness about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation, and let’s try our best to end the practice by the year 2030. 

11th February is recognized all over the world as the ‘International Day of Women and Girls in Science.’ Announced on 22nd December 2015 at the United Nations General Assembly, this day aims to promote and encourage women to take up science. It is extremely important to inculcate girls in science, as a diverse pool of scientists brings in fresh perspectives, talent and creativity. Even though the statistics show that girls and boys are on an equal playing field when it comes to science, harmful gender stereotypes prevent women from pursuing science. Women only make up 35% of students in STEM-related fields.

While the name Marie Curie is synonymous with ‘girls in science’. There are many other women hiding, who are waiting to be discovered by the masses. So, here are a few female scientists who deserve to be cherished on this day:

1. Dr Aditi Pant

Rising to fame as ‘the first Indian woman to step foot in Antarctica’, an honour she shares with Sudipta Sengupta. Dr Aditi Pant is a renowned oceanographer, who was inculcated in Indira Gandhi’s mission of the ‘Indian Antarctic Program.’ She was crucial to the whole operation and collected useful information regarding the food chain physics, chemistry, and biology in the Antarctic Ocean. For over the course of four months, she braved the harsh climate of Antarctica to fulfil her mission. Finally, her efforts proved to be fruitful, as her team was successful in building Dakshin Agnihotri, the first Indian Scientific Research Base in Antarctica. 

 2. Mary Anning

Turning back our clocks to 1811, when twelve-year-old Mary Anning discovered a complete skeleton of Ichthyosaur, an extinct marine species of the Early Jurassic Period. She would go on to make a name for herself in the fossil business by discovering the first complete skeleton of Plesiosaurus in 1823 and then discovered the first British example of a flying reptile by the name of pterosaurs in 1828. She followed it by discovering the first complete skeleton of Squaloraja fish. After her demise, Henry De la Beche, the president of the Geological Society, drafted a eulogy for her, which was the first such eulogy for a woman. She was also the basis for the popular tongue twister ‘She sells Seashells.’

3. Dr Rana Dajani

Hailing from Jordan, Dr Rana Dajani is half-Palestinian and half-Syrian, and she is a pioneer for Muslim women around the world. Her work related to stem cells was crucial to the establishment of the Stem Cell Research Ethics Law and all regulations in Jordan. She is also an expert on the genetics of Circassian and Chechen populations and found out the root cause for the high rate of cancer in the population. Dr Rana also serves as a champion of bravery, as she advocates for biological evolution in a conservative country.

4. Patricia Bath 

Patricia Bath is an inspiration to numerous African-American girls as she became the first black woman to receive a medical patent. She invented the laserphaco probe, a device which painlessly dissolves the cataract from the eyes, irrigates and cleans the eye and permits the easy insertion of a new lens. She also established a new discipline in medicine called ‘Community Opthalmology’.  This discipline focuses on promoting eye health and preventing blindness by using methods of public health, community medicine and ophthalmology. 

5 .Sabrina Gonzalez Paterski

The nickname ‘prodigy’ would be apt to describe Sabrina Gonzalez Paterski. Building an aircraft at the mere age of fifteen, Sabrina would go on to blow the minds of millions in the scientific community in her later years. While studying at Harvard, her work was helpful in discovering the spin memory effect, which can be used to detect or verify the net effects of gravitational waves. Her paper on the Pasterski–Strominger–Zhiboedov Triangle for electromagnetic memory was even cited by the late Stephen Hawking when she was only 22 years old.  With her age only 29, the sky is the limit for Sabrina. 

So, here are some of the scientists we chose to celebrate on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.  Please share more such figures to inspire girls around you to take up science. 

Coping with the loss and void when a family member, a loved one or a friend passes away is more difficult in many ways than one. Emotional, physical, mental and financial issues surface at various levels for those left behind. The void created by the person leaving forever can never be filled but the issues to deal with add to the misery. The stress brought on by death and the costs included with a funeral, burial, or cremation can be insurmountable. The post-death period for the family is even more complicated if the family's sole breadwinner has passed away, leaving the family members vulnerable to uncertainties for a long time until they find a way to a steady income. 

Monthly expenses, house rent, food, electricity, children’s education fees and many other barriers stand wide in front with lots of doubts and fear behind them. Financial crises are the most visible problem that everybody faces along with others. What others can do to help the family and friends cope with the loss with emotional support, not bother them much with questions and instances that remind them of the person who passed away and most importantly, help them with financial support. While many of you probably think that giving money can be a way to help, there is another option that can assure that a grieving family's financial constraints to ease; Fundraising. 

What is a Memorial Fundraiser?

A memorial fundraiser is a way to carry on a loved one's legacy in their honour and is used to support charity causes, and assist families with funeral services. Many memorial fundraisers are started in honour of a loved one with the goal of giving back to the community in a way that the person who passed away would have found meaningful. Friends, family, and the community can come together through memorial fundraising to support friends and loved ones in times of need. A memorial fundraiser is a straightforward method to pay for costly funeral expenses or celebrate the life and memory of a cherished person.

Are donations made to memorial fundraisers tax deductible?

Donations to an individual are typically regarded as personal gifts and are not tax deductible, while donations to an organisation are typically seen as tax deductible. Even though your donation might not be tax deductible, it's still a wonderful way to preserve a loved one's memory and help the family during this difficult time. If you want to collaborate with a recognised charity, you should get in touch with them directly to find out how to create a memorial fundraiser in someone else's name.

Filaantro is an online trustworthy crowdfunding platform that raises funds for all and every genuine cause that you believe in. With its user-friendly interface, anyone can start a fundraising campaign on the website and drive the campaign online and offline to meet the target amount. Visit filaantro.org and register to start a memorial fundraiser. With social media and sharing the fundraiser widely, Filaantro can assure to solve your financial issues without the burden of being in debt. 

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Started in 2003 by Michael Levy, (an author, philosopher and lecturer) World Human Spirit Day is celebrated to promote the human spirit that lives a creative, peaceful, and loving life. Every February 17th, People from all over the world celebrate World Human Spirit Day. This day aims to encourage the belief that peace and tranquility are necessary to escape from a pressure-based society. It is strongly encouraged to practice meditation to avoid our habit of pressurizing ourselves and promote mindfulness. According to Oxford Dictionary, mindfulness is a mental state achieved by concentrating on the present moment, while calmly accepting the feelings and thoughts that come to you, used as a technique to help you relax

This day also recognizes that our knowledge of the world is limited. So, we should reflect on our achievements and stay content. Michael Levy wants to strengthen our connection with our spiritual self, to stay grounded amongst the hustle and bustle of the world. It is a day to search for our contentment within our soul and to be satisfied with the answer that we will not always have the answer. Having such a mindset is great for our mental health and well-being in our lives.

So, here are five ways you can practice mindfulness on this World Human Spirit Day:

1.Practice Gratitude

Being thankful for what you have achieved in life is one of the best ways to practice mindfulness. It promotes positive thinking and makes you feel good about yourself. It is a healthy practice which will make you avoid getting anxious about the future or regretting the past. If we are more positive about ourselves, we are more likely to create a positive future for ourselves.

2.Listen to your body

Our moods and emotions can be affected by what we have on our plates. Food with high sugar intake can cause oxidative stress. It can also lead to depression. Diets with vegetables, fruits, unprocessed grains, and fish and seafood, and containing only modest amounts of lean meats and dairy, are strongly recommended to promote a healthy body, which would further lead to a healthy mind. 

3.Sit back and observe your surroundings.

This is one of the best ways you can relax your mind. Take a break from your work and go to a place with a lot of people, preferably a garden or a beach. Instead of thinking about your work, take a deep breath and observe the ‘passing of time.’ Focus on the traffic, and the people walking by, and notice the details on the dog or flower. Let the breeze hit your face, and allow this moment to soak in. 

4.Get Lost in Fictional Worlds

Have you ever found yourself completely lost in the vivid images that have been painted by texts in a book? The smell, the taste, and the emotions a character goes through is enough to calm our minds. It transports you to another world and fuels your creativity and imagination. Thus, the habit of reading fictional books becomes a great way to achieve mental peace. Speaking of books………

5.Pursue your hobby

Take time to finish the painting that has been left unfinished, or brush up on your cooking skills by trying out the new cuisine you have been wanting. While a layman might call these a ‘waste of time’, it is great for your overall well-being. It is effective in reducing stress and releasing creative juices in your brain. 

So, let’s take a day to look after ourselves and always remember to forgive ourselves for the mistakes we have made. 

22nd February is celebrated as World Thinking Day annually. Since 1926, All Girl Scouts and Guide Societies commemorate this day with full zeal and enthusiasm. Some traditions are observed on this day as well. For example, rangers can be found climbing to the top of Maungawhau / Mount Eden, where they set up a campfire and sing the world song. Then they have a session where the members speak their minds. Similarly, members from different Girl Scouts and Guide Societies come together on ScoutLink to chat with each other and celebrate their founders. A programme called Thinking Day on the Air (TDOTA)  on amateur radio is also broadcasted.

So, Here is everything you need to know about this auspicious occasion, and its significance.

HISTORY:

The day was first announced almost a century ago in 1926. At the Fourth Girl Scout International Conference, in Girl Scouts of the United States’s Camp Edith Macy, where delegates highlighted the need for an international day. The objective was to create a day when members all over the world would think about Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting and give them gratitude for their services. The date of 22nd February was decided as it was the birthday of both Lord Baden-Powell (Founder of the Boy Scout Movement), and co-incidentally his wife Lady Olave Baden-Powell (World Chief Guide).

It was at the 30th World Conference in Ireland in 1999, when the name was changed from ‘Thinking Day’ to ‘World Thinking Day’, stressing the importance of worldwide celebration. 

Significance:

Across the globe, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides gather to debate and discuss issues that have plagued girls and women around the world. It also encourages sisterhood and long-lasting friendships among girls to build loyalty and trust.

Several Events like hiking, bake sales, seminars, and camps, are conducted to spread awareness on this day.

Themes:

Ever since 2005, World Thinking Day has been associated with a specific theme. It started with ‘Think about food’, which was followed by ‘Think about, talk about and do something about adolescent health issues.’  In the next years, various themes like growth, leadership and peace were used. The theme for last year was ‘Our World, Our Equal Future’. This year the theme is ‘Our World, Our Thriving Future’. The theme for 2024 will be ‘Our World, Our Peaceful Future’.

Our World, Our Thriving Future

As mentioned above, the theme for this year is ‘Our World, Our Thriving Future.’ The theme attempts to explore how we can work with nature to create a more peaceful and secure world for girls, and what the environment can teach us.

The activity pack of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), features the saga of Miku, a young girl who goes on a quest to achieve peace and balance within her world. The story is inspired by folktales, and we are sure it would be an inspiring one. The story would also be translated into eight different internationally-recognized languages.

So, Pull up your scouts and celebrate World Thinking Day on 22nd February. 

According to UNICEF statistics, more than 15 million orphans are awaiting adoption. On any given day, there are over 400,000 children in foster care in the United States, and they typically stay there for two years. According to research, having a stable, loving family is important for a person's physical, mental, and developmental health. Children lacking persistence may struggle to build healthy bonds, suffer with social skills, or experience severe mental health issues, to name just a few potential outcomes. A caring home is something that every child needs and deserves. Hence, adoption is very important to children because it has the power to shape the entire rest of their lives.

We have seen couples adopting a child from foster homes as either they cannot have children due to biological reasons, or some other. But looking at a child getting adopted and watching it grow with love, security and everything else that a child needs, is incredible. 

But, the joy of adopting a child comes with a hefty price tag. You are not purchasing a human being when you pay for an adoption. You are spending money on services that make it easier for the youngster to enter your family. Legal fees, home studies, agency fees, living costs for birth parents, travel and accommodation costs, court filing fees, and medical costs all add up. 

A fundraising event is among the greatest ways to raise funds for adoption. Events are another effective and enjoyable method to build a sense of community and vividly tell your adoption experience. But, today’s digital world has made fundraising online too. Crowdfunding platforms have made it possible to raise funds beyond geographical borders, time and even language barriers. 

Here are a few steps you can follow for crowdfunding for adoption

   1. Set a fundraising target.

Every effective fundraising campaign has a basic plan, and we're here to help you choose your campaign's objectives. A goal amount is a good place to start. As with any medical procedure, it's important to take into account both the procedure's cost as well as all the additional expenses that arise, including any unpaid time off from work, expensive medications, transportation, prescription costs, etc.

    2. Express yourself honestly and truthfully through your campaign pitch.

Even if you might think that your friends and family are already aware of your situation, telling your story well can have a big impact on your fundraising efforts. On your fundraising page, talk about your own experiences, include pictures and videos and tell your story honestly and plainly. You are inviting your followers to take part in this narrative. Visit this website for more tips on fundraising stories.

  3. Be social.

Thanks to the power of social networks, your adoption story can be shared with family, friends, friends of friends, and even sympathetic strangers around the world. When you post the link to your social media fundraising campaign, ask friends and family to share it. To add your own personal touch and make it easier for people to follow your trip, choose a hashtag for your fundraising campaign. Perhaps you'll consider launching a blog to chronicle your trip.

4. Keep your visitors and donors updated. 

Updates must be posted often. It helps keep supporters informed and shows potential donors the effect their donation might have. Express your gratitude. Exchange encouraging words. Maintaining their attention will improve the possibility that they will contribute more money or tell their social networks about your cause.

5. Appreciate your donors.

In the fundraising industry, there are a number of best practices and standards for thanking people who donate to a cause, and it's not just about being courteous. Consider becoming familiar with our useful primer on thanking supporters as the cause is yours in this case.

With crowdfunding, all of your goals can be achieved, and with the power of social media, it is bound to happen. Filaantro is a reliable crowdfunding platform that raises funds for every genuine cause that one believes in. With the user-friendly interface, easy withdrawals, social media promotions and tax benefits, Filaantro makes the fundraising experience an easy and transparent journey. 

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The major difference between charity and philanthropy is that charity is more perceived as being an emotional, immediate response whereas philanthropy is more strategic and built on rebuilding. On a similar note, Charity aims at relieving the pain of a particular social problem whereas Philanthropy focuses on addressing the root causes of the problem.

An excellent example of charity would be the distribution of painkillers to malaria-affected patients. On the other hand, in the same scenario, a philanthropic organization would sponsor the education of the people in the affected areas and support medical research teams in finding a cure for malaria. Charity is giving, whereas Philanthropy is acting and changing a system for a better world.

The best way to describe the difference between charity and philanthropy is by using a very common phrase, "Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime".

Here is a list of the top five Charitable Trusts in India:

Child Help Foundation (CHF): Child Help Foundation (CHF) is a pan-India non-profit, non-governmental organization, that is registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950, in the year 2010. They are a child-centric organization that works holistically to cater to the development of all the factors that directly or indirectly affect children. They work in alignment with the adopte Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. It functions for us as a roadmap to bring effective change in society. Emergency Medical Support, Swastha se Shiksha Tak, Mini Science Center Projects, Baby Feeding Centers, Roti Ghar Program, Village Development Program, and Humanitarian Relief are among the most effective initiatives that we have implemented.

Child Rights and You (CRY): Recognized as India’s most trusted NGO, Child Rights and You (CRY) works tirelessly to ensure happier and healthier childhoods for India’s underprivileged children. CRY addresses children’s critical needs of healthcare, nutrition, education, and protection from child labor and child marriage by working with parents, teachers, Anganwadi workers, communities, district and state-level governments, and the children. In the last 42 years, CRY has impacted the lives of over 3 million children across 19 states in India.

Smile Foundation: Smile Foundation is an NGO based in New Delhi, India. It was established in 2002 and was in 25 states across India. As of 2017, the Foundation reaches approximately 4 lakh children and their families. The Smile Foundation aims to provide free quality education to underprivileged, marginalized children. Their development program targets sectors like education, health, livelihood for women, etc. Some of their programs are Smile on Wheels, Mission Education, and Smile Twin e-learning.

Give India Foundation: Give India is a non-profit, non-governmental organization in India. It is an online donation platform and aims to provide channels and resources to trusted non-governmental organizations across India. As a web portal, it helps raise funds and contributions from individuals in India and worldwide and then distributes these donations to trusted NGOs.

SEEDS: The full form of SEEDS is the Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society. SEEDS is a 26-year-old organization that is active across India and Nepal. The goal of SEEDS is to protect the people exposed to disasters. Their dedicated team partners up with local and central governments, companies, and other nonprofits to reach out to families affected by earthquakes, floods, cyclones, climate emergencies, and pandemics. SEEDS specializes in disaster preparedness, disaster response, and rehabilitating homes and community infrastructure.

On a concluding note, Charitable Trusts or Philanthropic Institutions both work on the overall development of the society, region, and the overall country. We as a child-centric organization work holistically towards the betterment of all

Getting a warehouse for lease is necessary, as it can save you space and the costs that you would have to pay for having your own storage space for stuffs to be sold in the future, or would be needed for manufacturing and production processes. Know about some of the most important things that you have to look for, while choosing a warehouse for rent by a 3PL service provider

Insurance

The onus of insurance lies with you to purchase some insurance for your belongings, which can keep them covered against any type of loss. When your belongings are properly insured, these can be covered during transportation or storage, and will always be safe and secured. Many storage companies can also offer insurance, and you have to check whether your warehouse service provider offers the same.Type of refrigeration equipment on offer

If you are trying to hire a cold store for rent,You need to check the temperature range of the cold storage, value added service,type of products being stored.The storage and handling charges.Availability of reefer transport. Read more about ecommerce fulfillment and 3PL in Mumbai here.Type of storage offered

It is also essential when you take warehouse for rent to know the nature of storage tenure they offer ie. temporary or permanent storage. Also check where the storage facilities or warehouses of the company are located in. Whether you need warehouse in Hyderabad, warehouse in Mumbai or warehouse for rent in Delhi, you have to make sure that the 3PL service provider has facilities in those cities. Some of the 3PL service provider however, have a wide network and facilities in many states and cities across the country.

Warehouse or godown leasing is a very strategic decision which controls your entire supply chain. This decision will have an effect on overall efficiency of the distribution process. Many factors will influence your decision. We have given a comprehensive list which needs to be considered before finalizing your warehouse or godown for rent.

Location:

Zone:

Type of property:

Property Title:

Passage Adequacy:

Dock:

Leakage profile and waterlogging during the rainy season.

Fire & Safety issues:

Electricity:

Labour:

Transportation :

Value Addition:

Basic Rent of warehouse:

Maintenance/Security:

Availability of forklift/hydra:

Brokerage and service fee:

The above points are basic guidelines which needs to be considered before leasing a warehouse. You need to further take reviews about the property owners conduct and any issue which are faced by other existing tenants of the area.

The above process requires due diligence and market intelligence for taking correct decision. Godamwale can help you in your decision making process by shortlisting property as per your specification and helping you throughout the process of site visit, rent negotiation, agreement and helping you to set up the operation with all material handling equipments and necessary modification.

Bhiwandi is one of Asia's biggest warehousing hubs.It is a major contributor to the logistic landscape of Mumbai and India due to close proximity to Nhava Seva port of Mumbai and servicing Mumbai ,India’s financial capital.

Bhiwandi is 40 KM from Mumbai and it easily services both south and north Mumbai with equal ease. Warehousing in Bhiwandi has predominantly been unorganised with major inventory contributed by locals developing compounds with developers .These compounds range from 1500 sq. ft. to 50,000 sq ft.There has been lot of illegal construction around Bhiwandi and FSI violation thereby prompting local authority to undertake demolition drive .These facilities can be categorised as B,C grade facilities with a mix of factories and warehousing.E-commerce boom has demanded need of Grade A warehouse with state of art facility and thereby leading to development of facility by blues chip investor and big developers.Renaissance Industrial Smart City is one of such project with all necessary approvals in place and the over all area notified if 422 acres.Currently it host amazon,all-cargo many more client catering to Pharma,Metal,E-commerce,Food,Plastic etc. Arihant & Sumeet logistics park is also well known in bhiwandi. Many institutional investors are now eyeing to provide world class logistics in bhiwandi thereby increasing the interest and price of the land in Bhiwandi. The government of Maharashtra has further facilitated and reformed land acquisition rules to ensure development of world class logistics facility in this region.

It is strategically located and therefore logistically viable and competitive pricing.We will be discussing various factors one needs to consider while leasing a warehouse or godown in bhiwandi.

Warehouse in bhiwandi is divided into various clusters called compounds.These compounds are developed by joint ventures between local developers and landowners or by leading developer.The compounds are maintained by local land owners or developers depending on their terms of development.The factors which needs to be considered while leasing of Grade-B &C godowns are as below:The typical route’s having a warehousing cluster in bhiwandi are as below.

Kasheli- Rehnal road

Anjur phata - Mankoli

Mankoli to Diva

Mankoli - kalyan bypass

Kalyan bypass- Vadape

We have compiled a list of major compounds and their warehousing prices along with other ancillary charges.

* The warai charges range from 0.5 Rs/Sq. Ft to 1.5 Rs/Sq ft.

**The maintenance charges range from 0.5 Rs/Sq. Ft to 1.25 Rs/Sq ft.

The rentals of Grade A warehouse with clear title and best in class facility ranges from Rs 18 to Rs 22 Per sq ft with maintenance.However the construction quality and amenities add value for logistics and manufacturing services.

Godown in Bhiwandi can be a tricky affair and an informed decision needs to be taken to ensure smooth functioning of your operation.

Due to huge demand in Bhiwandi post-GST, there was a shortage of large ready to move in warehouses, however as a large quantity of land is available on Nashik road, rentals will continue to remain affordable for clients who are ready to wait. However, identifying warehouse with a clear land title is a big challenge in Bhiwandi. On account of small and scattered land holdings in the hands of several villagers, identifying a contiguous land parcel of the relevant size for warehouse development is a big challenge and which requires due diligence to get foothold in those areas.

Godamwale is an exclusive discovery platform for warehouse,godown,cold storage ,3PL services.

You can search and book these services easily on our platform and get the proper guidance to make informed decisions.

On demand and Flexible warehousing is provided by godamwale across india. This on demand service is flexible scalable and affordable.

India is a diverse country. Its diversity can be seen not only in its languages, culture, and religion but also in how products & services are taxed in the country. India has 29 states and 5 union territories with different tax structures and rates.

Tax structure had huge impact on deciding where companies need to set up their warehouses. It was not decided based on product market or supply chain optimization but to minimize the tax incurred in moving the products across different states.

Moving product from one state to another was like moving it from one country to another

But introduction of "Goods & Services Tax" (GST) System has changed rule of the game. There will be one tax across nation and all players will have same level field.

This is like bulldozing the boundaries across 36 small fields and merge them to provide one huge global field with immense opportunities for all.

We can say that warehousing industry is one of the sectors which will have maximum positive impact and GST can be proved to be a revolutionary step for the industry

GST will impact many aspects of warehousing industry

It will lead to consolidation of warehouses across the country. It is assumed that a national company owns around 20-25 small - medium warehouses across country to minimize taxes in each state. Now companies will set up 6-7 high tech warehouses depending on their market and optimize the supply chain/inventory cost. Companies which were previously deciding their warehousing models on tax efficiency will try to adopt a more economical, demand-based hub-and-spoke model used globally.

This will lead to more ultra-modern warehouses equipped with conveyors, RFID trackers & state of art warehouse management systems. The robotic systems of warehouse management will compete with the cheap labor force and will lead to gradual shift in automation of warehouses in India.

There will be stiff competition between organized and unorganized warehousing section. This new tax structure will allow companies to move to more cost efficient optimized option rather than going for small warehouses for tax savings. The new ultra-modern automated warehouses will bring down the cost of warehousing, cost advantage that unorganized sector warehouses have will be challenged. This will either lead to unorganized sector going in joint venture with organized players to merge and develop modern warehouses or convert their warehouses for residential or commercial purposes.

There will be huge investment in organized warehousing sector. Only 8% of Indian warehousing industry is organized. As explained above there will be huge demands for cost efficient warehouses, we expect there can be huge investment in same.

There will be huge demands of warehousing in big cities and may effect adversely in smaller cities. Manufacturing, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce will try to consolidate their warehouses in big cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata , Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai. Also the cities in Central India will be hugely benefited as it will give better distribution option to companies to deliver their products in rest of India.

This can lead to base expansion of many companies. As per the feedback received from some companies they will retain their current warehouses and will look to expand in other location so they are near to consumption center.

Unorganised Warehousing the path Forward:Sooner or later there will be consolidation in this sector which will lead to redesigning of the operations along with changes in the physical infrastructure of these warehouses to catch-up with the demanding operational efficiency. Warehouse Management System along with other automation system will have demand and would pave the way of next revolution.

All said and done it will take minimum 6 months for the warehousing industry to come up in line with GST. It will depend upon the perfect execution of GST.

We hope it will revolutionize the warehousing industry and bring it at par with world standards.

Hyderabad the “city of Nawabs” is rapidly transforming into a modern metro city while keeping cultural tradition to its heart.

Hyderabad is challenging Bengaluru and other Indian metro cities not only in fields of IT/Technology revolution, startups but also transforming into a major Industrial and Logistics Hub.

Warehouse leasing in Hyderabad registered 50 percent growth in second part of 2017 and it continued with same pace in first quarter of 2018.

Hyderabad now accommodates approx. 15 % of total warehousing space in India. Along with increase in warehousing space there has been consistent appreciation in warehouse rentals. The warehouse rentals have increased almost 7 percent in south Hyderabad compared to last year.

Amazon has recently opened its largest fulfillment Centre in Hyderabad and other ecommerce companies are in process of doing the same. Companies such as Jubliant Foods, Asian paints and Procter & Gamble have significantly invested in warehousing in the city.

The main region which immensely benefited by this development is Northern corridor of Hyderabad mainly Medchal. It is on path to be a logistics hub like Bhiwandi near Mumbai. The region has numerous new ready to move and under construction warehouses in unit size of 1 lakh to 3 lakh Sq Ft. The industrial land prices in the region are growing exponentially. The main advantage is being access to national highways and it has become a gateway to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The demand in northern areas of Hyderabad is led by Engineering, manufacturing, and 3PL companies.

The northern region accounted for 80% of total warehouse leasing space in Hyderabad.

The western region of Hyderabad mainly Patancheru and Pashamylaram are already penetrated to its capacity. There is very limited warehouse availability in region and with few quality warehouses; warehouse leasing growth in the region is bit slow.

The Eastern region mainly Uppal, Nacharam, region is witnessing steady growth as compared to last year.

The story was same in areas like Sanat Nagar, Balanagar, Jeedimetla, SR Nagar. The growth is limited not because of demand but due to supply constraints in region.

There is high demand in the region led by 3PL company, food products, consumable goods companies who want to cater their city demand by being near to their clients and customers. The unit size demand is in range of 3000-10000 SqFt. The warehouses in these locations are occupied completely to their capacity and there are not many new warehouses coming up in the region due to limited land availability. For example of demand trend, Godamwale has received 10 enquiries in last 7 days for warehouse leasing in above areas.

The other area which witnessed surge in terms of new warehouses construction is south belt of Hyderabad mainly areas like Shamshabad and NH44 (Bengaluru Highway).

The southern corridor has added almost 20 Lakhs Sq Ft new ready to move or under construction warehouses.

We saw many new warehouses in higher unit range of 50000 SqFt to 2 Lakh SqFt. The construction of new warehouses has picked up rapidly and warehouse rentals have also appreciated by 6-7 percent in second half of the year.

Many big warehousing and logistics park companies have invested in Hyderabad and it has resulted in multiple options of high quality warehouses with infrastructure to handle hazardous, flammable and perishable products.

Logistics has always been on back burner for past central Governments but post 2014, the sector is gaining importance as government is looking to optimize supply chain efficiencies. The government has given ‘infrastructure’ status to logistics which combined with GST implementation is witnessing rapid growth in land parcels acquisitions for warehousing parks and sector witnessed inflow of institutional funding, investments from high net worth individuals and other formal sources of capital.

The credit of this recent surge also goes to Telangana government which has implemented new policies and fast tracked the approval processes for manufacturing and other industries. This has resulted in exponential increase of new manufacturing and industrial facilities in the state.

Hyderabad is turning in to hub of high quality state of art warehousing infrastructure and in next 5-10 years it will challenge the dominance of Bengaluru in logistics market