NDTV and World Vision India, a non-profit organisation, have joined hands to support millions of children and their families across India who continue to face hunger and inadequate nutrition caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
When a strong defence against the virus is good nutrition and strong immunity, thousands of vulnerable children and their parents are uncertain of their next meal. Join the campaign and help us raise funds to reach out to thousands of families with immediate relief assistance and long-term recovery and rehabilitation programmes.
Here are the Highlights of the #HungerFreeIndia Telethon:
Every effort counts with that thought the Together With Children telethon ended with the hope of a better future for the children.To make a contribution for #HungerFreeIndia
click here.
'These Are Strange Times', Says Singer And Composer Shankar Mahadevan and ends the telethon with a soulful rendition of the title song of Taare Zameen Par for the children of this country
Cherian Thomas, Regional Leader, Asia Pacific and Pacific - World Vision International sums up the mission of the organisation:
- For World Vision, our basic vision is to bring fullness of life to every child. Child well being is in the core of the organisation. We have looked at child well being in four components: food and nutrition, education, protection and safeguarding children from abuse, child labour, child marriage, and lastly as the community in which they live- their neighbourhood, their parents.
- At World Vision, we have analysed all blocks in the country, to map the vulnerability that children face. We know exactly which blocks have the highest vulnerability
Karuna Bhatia, Head Of Sustainability, India and South Asia, Standard Chartered Bank
- India is going through a challenging time and the migrant population has been deeply impacted because of the pandemic and it is important to support them. As a bank that has been serving for about 100 years is, it is our duty to make efforts to support those in need. Every drop counts and every effort is important to support the community we live in.
- Each year, the malnutrition related diseases are going up and the pandemic will make it only worse. Our partnership with World Vision is to provide nutrition to about 25,000 people.
- We are supporting IIT Kanpur in their effort to make a low cost ventilators.
Actor Swara Bhasker on the telethon
- The silver lining in these rather dark times is when citizens have stepped up and done their bit and have tried very hard to make sure that they help those who are vulnerable. I would only say that it is really the question of us to continue doing what we are doing. The more privileged among us can continue to pay the salary of our domestic help and drivers even now when they are not on duty.
- We need to continue asking questions. There are 77 million tonnes of food grains available with the Food Corporation of India when the buffer requirement is only 24 million tonnes. We must ask the government to use this to help those in need.
Our children need our help is the message of Together With Children telethon
Shobana Kamineni, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited
Children Suffering From An Unforgettable Mental And Physical Trauma: Ravish Kumar
Here's why children need our help more than ever before
At the end of the 2-hour telethon over Rs 5crore collected for the Together With Children initiativeA big thank you to all our donors.
Shobana Kamineni, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited buys the painting done by child artist, Aarav Verma during the telethon to highlight the plight of the childrenThe Rs 2lakh raised through the painting will also go to World Vision for the Together With Children cause.
Dr K Srinath Reddy, President, Publich Health Foundation of India
Ilango Periannan, Co-Site Lead, Refinitiv Bengaluru on the telethon
World Vision highlights the challenges facing children during the current COVID-19 pandemic
Rotary International President, Shekhar Mehta rejoins the telethon to announce that Rotarians would be contributing Rs. 1.5 crore
Kabir Khan, Filmmaker who has sponsored 50 children on the telethonWe have been sitting here for the past 45 days and when you see the visuals of what is happening on the highways, it is really sad. The contrast between the rich and poor can be seen unfolded. It makes us very uncomfortable. We came across an initiative on your channel and we decided to donate because everyone who can must come forward and help
Rotary club announces their support for the telethon's cause and many members make individual contributions as well
Thank you donors: Another big donation is made on the telethonAn anonymous donation of Rs 1.35 crore is made on the Together with Children telethon.
Keep your contributions coming. To donate,
click here.
How can we help our children, Abhijit Banerjee on the telethon
Abhijit Banerjee, Nobel Laureate, Economics on Together With Children telethon:
Big thank you to another anonymous donorRs 95 lakh donated for the Together with the Children cause. Please contribute for #HungerFreeIndia.
Click here to donate.
A R Rahman's message on the Together with Children telethon:
Little over an hour on the telethon, close to Rs 60lakh raised
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A R Rahman, Oscar & Grammy Winning Composer on the telethon
Haar Nahi Manenge is AR Rahman's message in his latest composition
Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospital Enterprise Limited on the telethon
- The children are our wealth of tomorrow and the situation has been really disastrous for the children of India. Children need nutrition first, then education and health, these are the three most important things they need.
- We are trying to send ration kits to the needy, my children are trying to feed the children
- We have to work with the pharma companies who make the vitamins and see that it reaches children on time. To build immunity we all have to come together and reach out to those who need it, especially the children
Dr Shikha Sharma, Nutritionist and Holistic Health Coach on the hygiene kit that is part of the Together With Children initiative:
Children do not have a voice and are dependent on others. The hygiene kit has all essential items like sanitisers, masks, sanitary pads etc. The sanitary conditions for young girls who are menstruating is extremely important and they can get infected due to poor hygiene
Dr Shikha Sharma, Nutritionist & Holistic Health Coach focusses on health and hygiene
Sanjeev Kapoor, Chef, Entrepreneur & Television Personality on the telethon
- Malnutrition is very high in our country. People in the current situation are even more vulnerable. The focus should be on keeping food simple but very nutritious by adding fortified food to increase protein and nutrition content in the food.
- All of us have to become ambassadors of nutrition for children.
Chandan Mendiratta, Head - Zomato Feeding India on the telethon:
Zomato has been feeding people since the last six years and we have been addressing the problem of hunger. We realised that migrant workers are suffering the most because of the lockdown and so we went to them with ration kits. In last one and half months we have distributed close to 6 lakh ration kits across 120 cities
Henna, a HIV positive minor highlights the plight of the children during the current Coronavirus lockdown
Actor Sonu Sood on his experience of trying to help migrants reach their destination from Mumbai
- I want to request the government to let the people go back to their home without any difficulties. There are so many forms to fill out and strings have to be pulled to help the needy people to simply get to their loved ones
- The lockdown has been an eye-opener for everyone. I saw some videos on social media in which people where misbehaving with doctors and medical staff. I have a hotel in Juhu and there are many hospitals nearby, so I thought why not give it to the hospital staff to rest, eat and be near their work place
Ritu Kumar makes a case for tapping the talent of the children in the handicraft sector
Ritu Kumar, Fashion Designer joins the telethon:
- It is very rare that people understand that the textile industry is the biggest employer after agriculture. We have about 16 million employed just in the field of hand textile.
- Most of the people have gone back home and there is no work in their hands and because of the lockdown, they cannot go anywhere to earn money. The government needs to invest in the handicraft sector just like they do in start-ups. There is a need to remove the middle-men in this sector.
- We are the only country where handicraft is still alive. We need not to look at Bangladesh and focus on Made in India products. These children who have it in their DNA for this art are forced to become porters or labourers, this is a pity. Their art needs to be kept alive
Dr P V Ramana Murthy, Executive Vice President & Global Head - Human Resources, Indian Hotels Company Limited
Madhur Bhandarkar, Film Director, Script Writer & Producer
30 minutes into the telethon and the first big corporate donation is announcedRs 20 lakh donated anonymously on the telethon.
Cherian Thomas on the telethon:
Cherian Thomas, Regional Leader, Asia Pacific & Pacific- World Vision International
- We have written to the government that child abuse will be a major problem. 1098, the helpline can help in preventing situations like this. We are trying to prepare communities to prevent child abuse in every way possible
- We are using technology to work during the lockdown. We are using the social media and with our partners we are trying to adjust and be innovative and creative
Cherian Thomas of World Vision joins the Together With Children telethon:
Child artist, Aarav Verma on telethon says, "I am grateful that I have a family who can feed me."Aarav will be painting during the 2-hour telethon.
Lydian Nadhaswaram, Child Pianist opens the telethon with a live performance and says, 'Stay safe.'
Together With Children for a #HungerFreeIndia Telethon gets underway
All set for the 2-hour special #HungerFreeIndia Telethon that aims to raise funds to help feed needy children and families amid the Coronavirus outbreak
Join us for the 2-hour #HungerFreeIndia Telethon to help raise funds for feeding children and families in need, during the Coronavirus ourtbreak
Think of those walking home with so little to eat. You can help.To donate,
click here Key Campaign Objectives of Together With Children Towards A Hunger Free India Campaign
Join the #HungerFreeIndia campaign and help us raise funds to reach out to thousands of families with immediate relief assistance and long-term recovery and rehabilitation programmes.
When a strong defence against the Coronavirus is good nutrition and strong immunity, thousands of vulnerable children and their parents are uncertain of their next meal.