BCT - Bhagirathi Charitable Trust

Bhagirathi Charitable Trust (BCT) was born on 17-5-2008 and became a registered Trust on May 2013.

As a family, we had the habit of pooling in a portion of our annual earnings and donate it as an offering to a temple of our choice. But, over the years, we realize that such a donation was born more out of our laziness to serve the almighty. We felt we could serve him better by utilizing this for the service of needy people. We then started allocating this sum for small, charitable causes.

The initial idea was to help anyone in need, within our meagre means - irrespective of cast, creed or religion. The first sum of Rs 6545/- was used to help six people in need of medical support. The happiness and satisfaction we experienced was far beyond any temple visit we ever had.

Thus began a journey of discovery, a paralyzed child of a daily laborer could get treatment and cure. Four old & needy people, could get cataract surgery to revive their vision. serious patients could get heart and kidney treatments, An aids patient could be offered medicines and basics for living. A poor childless couple could go in for IVF treatment. Each one of these stories changed us and made us more determined & confident.

Over the years, our funding has grown, thanks to the sale of our ancestral home, annual contributions from our children, friends and like minded people. This means, we now could start looking beyond and make this a more purposeful, co-ordinated and continual effort.

Our first project was education for needy children. We now sponsor 37 students with their annual fees and books. 2 of them recently got employed in the IT sector. We also give out a cash award of Rs 1000/- to the student who secures the highest marks.

We supported the construction of clean toilets for the government school in our locality, along with funds for free food for the students and getting help for autistic and mentally challenged kids.

One day, we came across two very old ladies, ill treated and unwanted, with no resource to support basic food or health needs. Our initial focus was on children as they are the future, but the old are much neglected and have very few avenues of support. Some of them are orphans, living all alone. One of them is an HIV patient whose days are numbered.

We offer a monthly ration of 8 KG of rice and meet basic medical expenses for 19 senior citizens in our ward. In addition, we extend the support to daily laborors who fall ill or meet with an accident till they are healthy again and are able to support their family.

During festive occasions, in addition to rice, we provide a kit consisting of Sugar, Oil, Lentils, Chick peas etc; so that they can afford a feast on a happy occasion. Before the rainy season this year we gave away blankets to 50 deserving people.

Another area of immense need is medical support. We are trying to fund patients whose medicine bills are very expensive, because of which they are unable to buy them as per prescriptions. We are looking for a doctor to visit our ward and provide free medical check up and distribute free medicines to the needy.

We have begun with lot of passion, confidence and optimism. The journey so far has been a highly fulfilling one. With the good wishes, love and co-operation of like minded people who are there to spread the good work around the world, we are sure we will be able to accomodate more and more people who need food, education and medicine - all basic needs to support a happy living.