Online Cultural Extravaganza For Funding COVID-19 Relief Work

New Delhi: On the occasion of Independence Day, Umeed Project will be conducting a weeklong online cultural extravaganza to raise funds for COVID-19 relief work.

E-mehfil fundraiser, Shayarana Umeed will have theatre artists, singers and poets performing Indian music, poetry, ‘dastangoi’, talks and more.

The event will be streamed live on Skillbox from August 11 to 16.

Speaking about the event, Hindi poet Rakesh Tiwari told Hindustan Times, “Whenever there has been a crisis, war or a pandemic, people have sought refuge in art. This is the reason online gigs are thriving. Everyone needs closure when they are troubled; art helps plant the seed for change.”

Poet and storyteller Yahya Bootwala expressed that no contribution is small.

“Log yeh sochte hain ki ek fundraiser se kitni hi help hojayegi, but I truly believe that contributing for one person is still a bigger help than no contribution at all,” he said.

To date, the project has already helped nearly 4.5 lakh people with food resources and PPE kits. They have been distributing around 3,000 meals and 100 ration kits daily.

“It feels good to be associated with this cause because people have suffered and lost a lot. If I can help even one person, then I would achieve my purpose. I hope for a better future where people value what they have,” said ghazal singer Oshin Bhatia.