‘Adwitiya’: It’s journey from virtual to real world & involvement in philanthropic drives

June 24: The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent Covid curfew imposed in the state has rendered many without work. Last year too, there has been a widespread debate between life and livelihood during the nationwide lockdown. Though this year, total lockdown was not imposed in Assam, yet many had to remain without income. Many good Samaritans during this crisis phase have come forward to stand besides the poor and needy and offered help to their best possible extent. Once such all-ladies group, ‘Adwitiya – Celebrating Womanhood’ came forward out of an inner urge of social responsibility and lend their helping hands for the disadvantaged sections of the populace.

‘Adwitiya – Celebrating Womanhood’ is mainly a Facebook ladies group started by young entrepreneur Sharmistha Bhattacharjee on 25 July, 2020. Sharmistha is the first Admin of the group, second admin is Rahi Chakraborty and Sayani Das is the moderator. The Facebook Group Adwitiya family has 3,500 members which is increasing day by day. Members in this Facebook Group are from different parts of India as well abroad.

The group was started during the pandemic with a motto to engage members in different virtual contests as well as themes to stand by them to overcome the depression which pandemic has brought along with it. Adwitiya has tried to bring members from different background under one roof with virtual activities in the group. Adwitiyan’s have also tried to stand by the people in distress during the pandemic.

Earlier, Adwitiyan’s started their first donation drive with the distribution of old clothes among the distressed people which gradually turned into a huge success as it was supported by many group members. “With the spirit continuing this time also, we have decided for few more donation drives among the people in distress. Many Adwitiyan’s came to the forefront and contributed their support. The contribution from the Adwitiyan’s were overwhelming and finally they went for five consecutive drives, ” said Sharmistha Bhattacharjee, the founder of the inspiring Facebook Group.

‘Adwitiya – Celebrating Womanhood’ came forward and distributed nutritious cooked food packets at Arcuttipore Tea Estate in Cachar district on 6 June, 2021. They distributed cooked food packets, hand sanitisers and face masks among the children and women, most of whom work in the tea garden.They provided food and other items to around 70 women & children in the tea garden. On 12 June, 2021 Adwitiya distributed milk packets, biscuits, fresh bread, noodles, chocolates etc among needy 100 children in Uttar Krishnapur GP, Part-III.

On 16 June, 2021, the members of Group Adwitiya organised two different drives. They first visted Protective and Rehabilation Home near Silchar NIT. “We had conversation with senior citizens staying in the old age home  abandoned by their families. We distributed fruits, biscuits, masks and sanitizers etc among them. There to some extent, we realized the real scenario of humanitarian crisis prevailing in the modern society,” said Sharmistha Bhattacharjee.

On the same day, they arranged a felicitation program to show respect towards the Nursing team who are in true sense life savior during the pandemic.They felicitated some sisters from Nightangle Nursing Home, Green Heals Hospital and South City Hospital in Silchar. There along with other items masks and sanitizers were also distributed.

“Our last drive will commence in a day or two, where we will try to feed another 100 people including some needy Covid patients too. Hope in future we Adwitiyans will again try to stand by distress people whenever needed. I personally want to thank Second Admin and Moderator along with other Adwitiyan’s who extended their helping hands for the noble cause,” added Sharmistha Bhattacharjee. Apart from the creator of this group, other members who accompanied her during the philanthropic drives were Moumita Gupta, Sayani Das and Indrani Deb.