Hill NGO for women faces funds crunch

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, March 8: They sell T-shirts, collect donations at public spaces and seek help from anyone willing to hear them out, just to "make it happen."

Nirnay John Chhetri, the founder of Mankind in Action for Rural Growth, and volunteers from various schools in Darjeeling, have been working tirelessly for more than four years and have rescued more than 150 trafficked girls from Darjeeling hills.

"Seven of us formed MARG on September 8, 2006, by pooling in Rs 5,000 each and while we were concentrating on rural issues, we took up trafficking in 2010 when we rescued nine girls from Darjeeling in Bangalore. Five traffickers were also arrested during the rescue," said Chhetri.

Since then, MARG has mostly concentrated on issues related to trafficking. "Till date, seven traffickers have been convicted," said Chhetri.

But, despite the relentless work, MARG is facing a herculean task in its endeavour. The group, however, is not complaining.

"We sell T-shirts, collect donations from public spaces and approach people. Funds are a huge problem for us at times. We have to spend a lot in a month to track a case and verify the details before approaching the police, but nevertheless the will to do something, helps us overcome all challenges," said Chhetri.

The group raises about Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per annum from various sources. "It is difficult to go about our work with this amount. I usually approach good samaritans for help. Last July, we had to rescue a girl from Pune and I was helped by Paras Waiba from Switzerland and Father Kinley Tshering, provincial head of Darjeeling Jesuit, funded our mission," said Chhetri.

"I am moved by Meera Mangarti from Darjeeling, who despite earning just about Rs 3,000 a month has always contributed Rs 500 every month for the past three years for the cause. It aches my heart to accept her contribution. She is the only dedicated monthly contributor for our cause," added Chhetri.

Mangrati, who works at Holy Angel School, an institute for the underprivileged, said: "I heard about Nirnay John's contribution towards society and decided that I should do my bit to make this society a better place to live."

MARG today felicitated Mangrati and 25 police officers from Delhi, Goa, Chennai, Sikkim and Darjeeling as a token of appreciation on International Women's Day. Their theme for this year is "make it happen."

Asked whether MARG has approached any government agencies for funds, Chhetri said: "The only grant we have received is through the National Commission for Women, who provided us a grant of Rs 2 lakh in 2014 to conduct an awareness campaign. The process for applying for government grants is slow and tedious and by the time the funds are released, we would have finished our event."