July 2021

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POB Activity for May 2021: Dabbawalas of Mumbai 🍱📦

The adverse situations created by the COVID 19 pandemic have permeated throughout the society, especially in the lower strata. One such group that has been severely affected is the Dabbawala community of Mumbai. Dabbawalas are part of a lunchbox delivery system, transporting hot lunches from restaurants and homes to people at work. Their business thrived on the foundation of busy offices and the railway. But, with COVID 19 severely affecting both these factors, the Dabbawalas have lost their means of livelihood.

Working from home and shutting down of railways have sounded the knell for the Dabbawala service. This age old system, almost a tradition, has come to a screeching halt. The people who once delivered steaming food are currently starved themselves. Hence, we at POB decided to help the Dabbawalas as a part of our monthly activity for May 2021. 

We distributed ration kits to Dabbawala families in Mumbai. Each ration kit mainly comprised of flour, tea, sugar, dal, rice, oil, groundnuts and sago. In a total of 4 consignments, we at POB helped 106 Dabbawalas. It was indeed quite heartwarming to see the happiness on the Dabbawals' faces...

Path of bliss Activity for April 2021: Supporting children’s educational tour to Byculla Zoo 

It was indeed a dream come true for those underprivileged children who were happy that they could walk in fresh open air after one full year. They were happy to learn about wildlife from a professional environmentalist Anand Pendharkar, CEO of Sprouts. Majority of the parents of these children are engaged in the waste segregation activities around the Deonar dumping ground with a very meagre income and have no means to take the kids for any tour. 

Path of Bliss along with Helping Hands Charitable Trust and Sprouts team supported this educational tour for around 60 enthusiastic kids to Byculla Zoo.

The renovated zoo is a must visit for all. It was a lovely encounter with nature, its vast expanses, the heritage huge trees, the oxygen rich air and the animals in their natural habitat.

Kids were super thrilled to see the various enrichment activities done for animals. The bear named Shivani was given the scent of honey and a cut watermelon with honey topping for her to find and eat.

Humboldt penguins were attracted with laser beam for underwater diving and swim. Kids were also shown informative films in the auditorium.

A box of packed snacks added to the thrill of the picnic and a comfortable travel in a huge bus was topping on the cake.

Kids simply wished the day would never end. They have happily thanked all of us for this generous support.

POB Activity for March 2021 : Freedom Farm, Thane 🐶🐱🐮

Compassionate co-existence is a principle of Nature which we must all abide by. But, in this fast paced modern lifestyle, we often forget that this planet does not solely belong to us. We share this bounteous home with thousands of other species who equally deserve the planet's resources. Humanity has access to food, shelter and healthcare but unfortunately, animals do not receive the same privileges. 

In an effort to help innocent animals in need, we at Path of Bliss had our March activity at Freedom Farm in Thane. We spent time with the four-legged residents of the animal shelter which included several dogs, three kittens, a cat, a cow and a bull too. We were welcomed by the wagging tails of our canine friends after which we had a brief introduction about Freedom Farm and its volunteers. 

It was indeed overwhelming to see these volunteers, all college students taking time out of their daily schedules and coming together to do duties for the animals. The duties encompassed giving timely medicines, rescue and rehabilitation, adoption, animal birth control program, shelter coordination which includes feeding, bathing animals and all other activities. 

We also got the opportunity to feed the animals in the evening. To help the animal residents of Freedom Farm, Path of bliss donated dry and wet food, cat litter, medicines, surgical instruments, leashes, harnesses, muzzles, food supplements, e-collars, shampoos, cages, a printer, hard drive, a fridge, feeding bowls, blankets, towels and bed sheets. 

This month's activity was indeed very enjoyable. It made us conscious of our duties as global citizens and fostered the ideology of equality of species, strengthening the bond between humans and animals and aspect of neohumanism

FEBRUARY 2021 ACTIVITY : For the Police Force 👮‍♂️👮‍♀️

Innumerable police men and women are the reason that law and order is maintained around us and that we feel safe and secure. As a small gesture of appreciation we supported the police force in POB's Feburary 2021 activity.

We donated one desktop computer to Pantnagar Police Station, Ghatkopar East and 2 units of 4 ft × 6 ft metal beds, furnished with  mattress and cover to Kashimira police station, Miraroad.

We truly salute the bravery of the entire police department for all their selfless and invaluable contributions, especially during the present difficult times.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY FOR JANUARY 2021 : ALL SAINTS HOME 

With uncurbed enthusiasm, Path of Bliss did an additional Activity for January, 2021 to support All Saints Home. The old age home was established back in 1897 and continues to be a sanguine shelter for 30 inmates who presently reside here. We have given them goody bags that have been filled very thoughtfully with several commodities that will surely serve their day-to-day requirements.

Each goody bag contains useful items like coconut oil, tooth paste, tooth brush, vicks, balm, vaseline, comb, talc, soap, napkin, biscuits, milk, night gown, mask, sanitizer, sweets and even a blanket.

The happiness and smiles of the residents were indeed contagious and provided us with immense satisfaction for having planned this worthy activity.

We had a zoom call set up where they could join in.

Our member Milind sang for them and in return they also blessed us all with their song and prayer.

JANUARY 2021 ACTIVITY : Roha Pada, Tamsoli

Firstly, wishing everyone a very happy New Year✨. Despite dire circumstances, last year was a period of new opportunities, stronger endeavours and unfamiliar experiences. 

With undiminished vigour, we at Path of Bliss started off this fresh twelve month journey by helping the adivasi residents of Roha pada near Tamsoli village. 32 resident tribal families inhabit this rural settlement. We provided the local residents necessary food & grocery supplies (dal, rice, spices, oil, salt, sugar, pulses and biscuits), soaps, glass mugs and sarees for the female member of each house.

The happiness of the adivasis was indeed unbounded and marked a fitting fruitful start to a bright year ahead...

The Path of Bliss activity for December 2020 marked a fitting conclusion to this tumultuous year. Though the world had screeched to a scary halt, there were people who needed us more than ever which is why our activities and services never ceased.

This month, we at POB, graciously helped by several voluntary donors, procured more than a hundred leukofilters for Pediatric MCGM-Comprehensive Thalesemic Care, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, And Bone Marrow Transplant Center (Child Cancer Center) at Borivali.

These life-saving devices will help prevent adverse reactions during blood transfusions. We would like to extend our earnest gratitude to all the generous donors who contributed in this noble deed.

Lastly, season's greetings to everyone. We hope that your year has been constructive despite the adverse circumstances. Looking forward to a glistening new year with greater prospects of serving the society...✨