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Ranjan Bakshi, the Hero Behind the Scenes #atozchallenge

For the A to Z Blogging Challenge, I’m blogging 26 days in April based on the alphabet and bringing you stories from the nonprofit Project Why.

Damyanti Biswas talks about the Nonprofit ProjectWhy In the slums of New DelhiProject Why has its share of unsung heroes and Ranjan is definitely one of them.

He is the last person you’d associate with slums, children, teaching and all that goes with the words ‘nonprofit organization’.  You  would find Ranjan at the Golf Club ready to tee off or with a cigar and a glass of single malt, enjoying the Beatles or a Chopin Nocturne if he is not on the piano itself. He likes the good life.

So how can a person with his profile become a Project Why hero?

Setting up an organization like Project Why was nothing short of a mission. Without 100% support from the family it could have become a mission ‘impossible’. To make thinks work, backstage is as important as the stage itself.

You have to be a saint to be married to someone who’s setting up a nonprofit. Your home is suddenly invaded by new faces who even find their way to your dining table. You stumble at the entrance because cartons have been dumped there. Your spouse is often too tired to talk about your day but never stops talking about hers in a language you barely understand.

Ranjan accepted it all. Even if it was all beyond his comprehension, the simple fact that it made his life partner happy was enough for him. No matter what was thrown at him, he accepted with a smile and despite being a man of a few words  spoke with pride of Project Why. He shared the contacts of his old boys and club directories, so that Anouradha Bakshi could shoot out numerous appeals for help. Many of Project Why’s early supporters were Ranjan’s contacts.

There was a day when Project Why had no funds to pay the staff. Ranjan had sold his car that day, and that money went for staff pay.

Ranjan has his own way of seeing with his heart: Project Why wouldn’t have flourished without his support.

How do you help with your community? Do you or any of your family members  work with a nonprofit? What would you say to Ranjan Bakshi?

To Donate  Project Why, CLICK HERE.
To Contact Project Why, Click Here
 

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Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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9 Comments

  • Birgit says:

    I am trying to play. At home up. This man is rare and this is why organizations like this exist

  • Shamika Bakshi says:

    My papa is the most wonderful man i ever know, he has always supported both mom and me in the choices we made in life. Thank you papa! i love you!!
    And tahnk you every one for your lovely comments on this wonderful man.

  • hilarymb says:

    Hi Damyanti – ah ha … now I can see – and how wonderful Anuradha has such a generous life partner and they give back so much to each other … and thus to the community – thank goodness for them both and the amazing project they’ve established, and continue to support as it encompasses others …

    Wonderful – thanks for sharing with us .. cheers to RanJan and Anuradha and to you for telling us about Project Why – Hilary

  • Peter Nena says:

    Another cornerstone for Project Why. An exceptional character indeed.

  • Joy says:

    What an awesome man. God bless him!

    Joy @ The Joyous Living

  • People like Ranjan Sir deserves all respect for putting such lofty thoughts into action. We need more people like him to make the world a better place and empower:)

    • Ranjan has been an intrinsic part of Project Why- knowing that he is always there to support us has been a huge help.

      • Great respect to you Anouradha Ma’am for believing and spreading cheers for such a wonderful cause. We often hear super rich are selfish but to pour your own money deserves respect. Hope there are many who will follow your footsteps for a better world. I’d love to do a feature post on my blog sometimes later and would be great if we could connect:)

  • I’ve always thought if I was rich, I’d do what Ranjan does–give it away. I’m impressed it seems that his whole family supports his kindness.