MUMBAI: BookASmile, the charity initiative of BookMyShow and Ketto, an online crowd funding platform together announced the winners of Book 6 Million Smiles campaign – India’s biggest ever online fundraising event for NGOs in India at an event in Mumbai. The six winning NGOs received a total of Rs 60 lakhs in funding from BookASmile, presented to them by Farzana Cama Balpande, the head of the charity initiative by BookMyShow and actor and co-founder of Ketto, Kunal Kapoor.
The six month campaign (August 2017-January 2018) was intended at empowering various NGOs across India, enabling their efforts to be more sustainable and raise public awareness. More than 120 NGOs took part in this campaign, cumulatively raising more than INR 2.11 cr on Ketto.
These NGOs largely supported the causes that BookASmile has been passionately working towards including Digital literacy and skill building (gainful employment causes), animal welfare, senior citizens, creative arts (can include music, arts, sports, theatre, etc.), rural development and environment.
The winning NGO U&I, based out of Bengaluru, is a young community of individuals from all walks of life. U&I raised close to Rs 80 Lakhs through Ketto and was awarded INR 10 lakhs by BookASmile for their efforts. U&I Co-founders Ajit Sivaram and Satish Manchikanti said that they will be using this money to educate underprivileged communities and equip them with the skills and confidence to pursue their dreams.
Sports Foundation was the first runner-up. The foundation, founded by Nitish Chiniwar, works with children from economically and social backward communities and give them the opportunity to train, excel and have a career in sports. After having successfully raised closed to INR 21 Lakhs on Ketto during the campaign duration, they also won Rs. 9 lakhs in funding from BookASmile.
The other NGOs whose efforts were applauded and rewarded include People for Animals, Agra, Handicapped Children & Women’s Aid, Blue Cross of India and Make Love Not Scars.
