Press Release
As a part of the Covid-19 relief efforts, Dhara Shakti Foundation (DSF) organised a drive to distribute 150 dry ration kits to families in Khuri in Sikar. These kits were provided to daily wage earners that can support their families for up to a week. These kits included wheat, rice, pulses, cooking oil, turmeric, chilli powder coriander, etc. Masks and soaps were also distributed along with the ration kits.
Founder, DSF, Ms. Devika Shekhawat said: “About 91 percent of the total workforce is from the informal sector. This includes agricultural, migrant, and other workers who entirely depend on daily wages as a mode of living. These vulnerable groups and their families are the hardest hit during these unprecedented times. Keeping this in mind, we have expanded our health and hygiene program to provide dry ration to such families across Rajasthan.”
It is to be recalled that DSF started a campaign ‘Saaf, Swachh, Swasth’ last year with a hefty goal to make India a clean, hygienic, and healthy nation and to spread awareness about sanitation and hygiene practices across Rajasthan. Adapting to COVID-19, they have been distributing hygiene kits that contain 4- 6 reusable masks, 2 soaps, and 2 packets of sanitary pads. So far they have distributed over 2500 hygiene kits to families in the Jaipur and Sikar districts. Along with distribution they have held free medical camps for women with gynaecologists and technicians to check haemoglobin and sugar levels. A focus has been laid on awareness building about COVID appropriate behaviour and importance of menstrual hygiene.
Despite the fact that India had considerable economic progress over the years, hunger and poverty prevailed in the country. Out of the total population of 1.3 billion people, 190.7 million people are undernourished and 25 percent of the children experience hunger. Along with this existing backdrop of India, the cease of economic activities has added to the rising food insecurity and misery for the destitute.
About Dhara Shakti Foundation
Dhara Shakti Foundation based in Rajasthan, aims to be a catalyst and force multiplier for collective action to achieve sustainable and equitable development. This is not just an organisation, it is a force to bring together people from all aspects of life who are eager to bring about a positive change- to support the underprivileged, to empower youth and women and to uplift each other through dialogue and collaboration.
The foundation was set up with the objective of providing opportunities, support, and mentorship to aspiring minds around India. The foundation believes in a collaborative approach and seeks to leverage a strategic network effect to scale collective impact and share best practices. The main focus areas are Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5, 6 and 11; Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation and to promote Sustainability in cities and communities.
About Devika Shekhawat
Devika Shekhawat was born and raised in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where she completed her schooling from Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls School. Devika went to college at Symbiosis Centre of Management Studies, Pune, and graduated with a Business Administration degree.
She is committed to social upliftment and inclusion and has intensively worked with various organisations and led various initiatives focused on inclusive and sustainable development. She also gained first-hand experience in relief work after the devastating earthquake in Nepal. Devika has worked with The Global Education and Leadership Foundation (tGELF) for 5 years on various high impact entrepreneurial ventures. A few included working with the Government of Rajasthan and UNICEF on a rural education initiative in Rajasthan. She then went on to be a founding member of the Global Citizen India movement, (a community of more than 500,000 individuals united to use their collective voices for social good), as well a founding member of Shuruaat Bus (a joint initiative with NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission) and subsequently working on the Entrepreneurship World Cup in Riyadh.