Shruti Arya longed to contribute to society-www.hopetohelp.in-a specialised tool for facilitating community service was the result.

Text: Vasuprada Dalmia
Photographs: Kunal Kampani

After her marriage to Mumbai based businessman Nakul Arya, Delhi girl Shruti moved to the city but was not keen on a full time job. Longing to contribute to the community and keep herself busy at the same time, she began hunting for a suitable non governmental organisation (NGO) She discovered that Mumbai did not have an organised online database of NGOs. Shruti’s dilemma led her to hit upon doing something in that direction herself. She thought of www.hopetohelp.in, a concept which already existed in Delhi. “Something so basic and so necessary not being available was appalling,” says Shruti. It was only with her husband’s support that she could put the website up as it involved a one- time website development cost. He does the upgrading too apart from helming the steel manufacturing company under The Arya Group. Work starts at home and Nakul has made this specialised tool for community service as a part of his Corporate Social Responsibility. Shruti points out that the website is “A catalyst for a social change in the society.” It is an organised data base of several NGOs spread all over Mumbai. Volunteers can find an NGO in their locality and offer their services by just leaving behind a few

details about themselves. The NGOs have been divided location wise with details about their work as well as the services they need from the volunteers. Mumbai, unfortunately has so many painful issues needing immediate attention, that options are aplenty when it comes to voluntary work. Shruti makes this easy for you, all you have to do is just log onto www.hopetohelp.in and go to the ‘How You Can Help’ section and simply feed in your locality preference, the services which you want to offer and whether you want to volunteer part time or full time. Shruti and her dedicated team will forward your details to the NGO of your choice, who then will get in touch with you