On the eve of Baisakhi(12 April 2023), the spread was wide. This was no lavish or wasteful party spread of food but it was a spread of smiles. Yes, Bringing Smiles had spread itself to include more awareness and more support to the differently abled. As in the past twelve years or more, and particularly since its NGO status in 2019, Bringing Smiles steered by its team and support from well-wishers has continued on its journey to provide tools for self-sufficiency to those who cannot walk or those who cannot see or those who cannot use two hands for simple everyday functions. Functions that we, the able bodied, take so much for granted.
But changes in Society and young minds are setting in as was visible today; almost thirty young men and women led by Mr Gautam Sehgal had come from Dell to support and cheer. They shunned the plush and air-conditioned comforts of their cabins for the April heat touching 36 degrees Celsius with strong surface winds and dust. These young men and women are taking back images of empowerment and are sure to do their bit in times to come.
As always Bringing Smiles had tricycles, wheelchairs, walking sticks, smart sticks, smart phones for the visually challenged, rollators and vending carts for the more enterprising ones, who want to challenge their disability and turn it into an opportunity. Apart from the vending carts, they went back with starter kits to flag off their business with many eager first customers among our group.
At Brining Smiles, it’s not a feeling of charity which binds everyone. It’s more like coming home and going back with fond memories. The team keeps hot samosas and tea ready for all. There is a sack full of rations and blankets for the cold weather and there are good clothes that you take back to last many seasons. All the beneficiaries are treated with respect and bon homie.
Guddu who has minimal, or no vision, was shown the way to complete his schooling. The smart phone he received was going to be a life changer for him.
Muskan and Sonu came with their parents and went back happy to be in their own spaces and felt suddenly grown up in their new wheelchairs.
Kalipodo Mandal forgot his problems and was busy counting money his wife handed him on selling eggs and packaged items.
Jagdish looked proud and happy behind his cart loaded with onions and potatoes. He was waiting to reach home and then planned to start early tomorrow to load his cart from the vegetable Mandi.
Rajesh Kumar Ray, Arvind, Vipin and Karan Singh wheeled away merrily on his wheelchair provided by Dell Technologies, seeking newer avenues now that his mobility had been taken care of. We are also ever grateful for the support given by “Bakshi Jagmohan Singh Charitable Trust”, as in the past several events. They sponsored four tricycles this time too, thus enhancing four young lives by encouraging them to take their challenges head on.
We thank the Dell Technologies team, especially Mr Gautam, for their support and turning up in large numbers and igniting interest among their young stakeholders towards this cause.
We thank our whole Team for always standing by for this periodic celebration of Bringing Smiles.
