India Helps

		Kiran Manral, 37 (Mumbai) - Founder Ex Journalist, Advertising Professional and founder of India Helps kiran.manral@indiahelps.org ; 022-28415779 (O)

Formed IH thinking "India Helps is the culmination of a growing sense of unease, frustration and anger that had been building up within me for a very long while. Each time bomb blasts, floods, riots, and tragedies both natural and man-made, ripped India, I would agonise over my inability to do anything to help. And would wonder, what if it had been me. It took the brutality of 26/11/08 to shake me out of my stupor and decide that it was time I got down to doing something for the victims. On however small a scale. So started the blog, indiahelps.blogspot.com. Bloggers and readers joined in, and this became a movement. A movement of the people, for the people. We are all here to help out, in the best way we can. Because if we don't help each other, no one will."




		Aparna Nair, 24 (Mumbai) - Core Team Member Lawyer

With IH because “Like every other Indian after every calamity I wanted to help but did not know what to do or how to do. A friend of mine took me for the first meeting of India Helps. Now I know I can make a difference and I will.”



		Devaki Bhujang, 26 (New York) - Core Team Member Programmer Analyst

With IH because "The 26 November Mumbai attacks affected me with an overwhelming desire to do something – anything I could - to shake off the helplessness I felt. Why wait for the government or anyone else to help, why not do my bit and perhaps the rest would follow?"



		Dilnavaz Bamboat, 30 (Mumbai) - Core Team Member Pediatric Therapist/ Preschool Owner dilnavaz.bamboat@indiahelps.org

With IH because "I couldn't sit around anymore, feeling helpless in my rage, with so many people out there needing a helping hand. Thankfully, there were others who felt the same way. I hope we can use the power of the worldwide web to its best potential to help India."



		Parul Sharma (Mumbai) - Founder Member Market Researcher, Writer parul.sharma@indiahelps.org

With IH because "Sickened to the core after the attacks on my city and my country, I wanted to help out the innocent people affected by the attacks and somehow be involved in the process of rebuilding this nation, this time as an active participant."



		Prachi Gupta, 29 (Mumbai) - Founder Member Market Researcher

With IH because "Angry and grieved by the horrible incidents around us, I felt that I had to do my part in helping, changing things. India Helps was just the focused and combined effort that made sure that every bit of time, effort, emotion and money counted."



		Priyanka Chaturvedi, 30 (Mumbai) - Founder Member Entrepreneur

With IH because "Seeing my city being held to ransom on 26/11 made me realize that I had to make a choice – either I could forget this as another unfortunate event in our lives or take a stand and try to contribute in whichever way I could. I chose the latter."



		Rohini Haldea, 32 (Mumbai) - Founder Member Marketing Professional

With IH because "I feel utterly helpless when a tragedy like the Mumbai attacks happens. I joined India Helps because it gives me the opportunity to do more than just feel bad or donate the odd cheque to a charity."



		Shyaam Nagarajan, 24 (Mumbai) - Core Team Member Legal Advisor

With IH because "Wanted to do something from my side to help the victims who are usually ignored by the system after a compensation is given. 'Doing something' was a thought and thanks to India Helps, I'm glad I have been able to contribute in a small way."



		Suma Nagmote, 25 (Mumbai) - Founder Member Market Researcher

With IH because "I went to the first IH meeting (knowing only one blogger there) only because I needed to do something to stop feeling so restless – and 'cause I felt like we've to protect our own…"



		Sumita Naik, 35 (Mumbai) - Founder Member Advertising Professional

With IH because "I felt helpless just having to watch the events of 26/11. We could also be the unfortunate victims one day. India Helps channelised my frustration and inspires me to ask myself every single day - "Whom have I helped today?"



		Sunayana Roy, 26 (Kolkata) - Core Team Member Copywriter

With IH because “I don’t believe one should criticise what one does not take the trouble to fix. So here I am, trying to fix before I criticise.”



		Vidya Venkatesh (Silicon Valley, CA) - Core Team Member

With IH because “I felt that it was time to DO something and not just mouth words of sympathy. A group of genuine and enthusiastic people like India Helps is giving me an opportunity to help make a difference.



		Renu Jain , 33 (Mumbai) - Core Team Member Web Designer

With IH because “When I see poor children at a signal or on the street, I sometimes wonder how blessed we are to be gifted with all basic necessities and much more. I feel doing something for such needy children, is one of the ways of acknowledging and thanking God for what he has given us. So through India Helps I am willing to do whatever I can for those who are helpless and need support from people like us.”




		Lavanya Karthik, 36 (Mumbai) - Core Team Member Environmental Planner, Writer

With IH because “The Mumbai attacks made me realize that every citizen has to step forward and be the change they expect to see around them. This is my first step.”



		Arti Appachu, 32 (Canada) - Core Team Member IT QA Manager

With IH because “Even though I've lived away from India for the past 10 years, it's still my home and I want to be able to make that claim by concrete action, rather than just birthright!”




		Preeti Aghalayam 35 (Mumbai) - Core Team Member Academic

With IH because "I am tired of complaining and doing nothing. I particularly like the personal feel of IH, and feel like I can make at least a small contribution."



		Sangeeta Irani, 40 (Mumbai) - Core Team Member Advertising and Public Relations Professional

With IH because “Another terror attack... once again. The anger and the need to do something positive with that anger motivated me. I started alone and then I met India Helps. India Helps takes initiative and makes a difference.”



		Savani Tatake (Washington DC) - Core Team Member Biotech Software Developer

With IH because “Everytime a tragedy strikes India, I sit reading about it, a few oceans away, unsure if my contributions sent ever make it to the people intended. When Kiran started India Helps, I was delighted to know that I can make a difference in a way that's immediate.”



		Sayantani Dutta, 25 (Mumbai) - Core Team Member Lawyer

With IH because I was done sitting around and hoping things would change, but wasn't comfortable just giving out money and thinking I'd done my bit...wanted to do something concrete, be a part of a tangible change. I was introduced to IH by a friend and the hands on philosophy here had me hooked from the word go...IH has today given me reason to hope that it is possible to go beyond rhetorics and actually bring about some positive change.



		Radha Gopalakrishnan, 35 (London) - Core Team Member Risk Management Professional

With IH because “Indiahelps stood for everything that I believed in. Initially, I was unsure of how I could help out but when they advertised for coordinators round the world, I jumped at the opportunity and so here I am.”

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