Philanthropy and a passion for shopping

No, my name isn’t Warren Buffet or Bill Gates. The Ambanis, Birlas, Tatas, and even my next door neighbour is far richer than me. When I go to the market, supermarket, or one of the many Malls, I get attracted to almost everything there and God only knows how I am able to restrain myself each time. Clothes attract, shoes attract, the shades that the other person is wearing attracts… and there is always space in the mind for yet another M&S pant or a Levis’ jeans, a Hidesign wallet or a Moleskine in my shirt pocket… and every visit to such treasure-laden stores nearly always ends with a few sighs that ultimately get drowned by a Krusher from KFC!

But this week everything is different. I came across Qvendo and the philanthropist in me simply woke up.

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Yes, I decided to be a donor

‘Philanthropy?’ my wife stared at me incredulously.

‘Yes,’ I answered, ‘to give is any day better than just taking, accepting, raking in…’ and after a pause, I continued, ‘you don’t really need to be rich to do someone some good.’

‘But remember, you need a fresh stock of vests,’ the practical person that my wife is, never misses the right moment, ‘and even your kerchiefs are frayed.’

‘You can gift them on my next birthday.’

Discussions have a strange habit of making sudden exits but ideas are made of sterner stuff. They come, they overwhelm, and they stay. They don’t just stay, they stay make a big show out of their stay… no silent entreaties from them, no gentle nudges, no shy tugs… they twist and turn you like what you do when de-corking a wine bottle. The end result is a sublime intoxication and a taste that remains in the memory for a long time. Yes, the act of giving can easily be called a Zampa Syrah or a Ritu Voignier or even a Sauvignon Blanc 2010… not the best ones available but then, as I said earlier, I am no Warren Buffet!

Therefore, I told myself that I would begin with a modest ‘giving away’ designer clothes to those who dream about them but are never really able to afford them… which also translates into gifting a superb range of clothing to little children.

The mathematics of giving

This part was certainly the most absorbing and looking at the displayed 23 items of clothing from Mini-a-ture, a Danish brand for children, I said to myself: ‘Well, 2 of all the 23 items can make as many little kids happy and all it needs is 50 thousand rupees. This is an average of barely a thousand rupees for almost 50 priceless smiles!’

This would obviously not mean much to the over 3 million children of India living on the streets, or the nearly 150 million children working as bonded labour, or even the 35 million children who don’t get to attend school… my dream of philanthropy simply surrounds a cosy 23 children and I just want to make them feel on the top of the world! I believe that when you feel at the top of the world, you are able to transcend the limitations of your physical reality and take a step towards a better life.

This mathematics also means that if this small step enthuses even a thousand not-so-rich people in every city of the country to ensure a thousand rupee smile for one child, there would be a significant number of happy children all over… and then the Government can always go ahead with their ‘compulsory education for all’ scheme without expecting grumpy kids to be disinclined to accept literacy willingly. This kind of mathe-magic works if accompanied by a voluntary spirit.

So the mathematics is simple. Let us now hop over to the aesthetics of the gift that I plan. Let the music play! And here, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the heavenly Mini-a-ture collection available on Qvendo:

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The product details and sizing are mentioned at the Qvendo site. The site has included all possible dimensions for not just the clothes but also for their other range that includes belts, clothes for adults, shoes and rings etc. You can access a sizing chart that is designed especially for the members. You can find this chart easily by clicking on the size button next to each item.

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How silly of me not to have told you anything about Qvendo

Qvendo brings the best Western brands at members-only prices. This magical outlet exists only in the virtual space and all you need now is a membership that is through invitation only. Interested in one? Just click on The Powerful Fashion Website now!

The easiest way to access ‘international trends’, ‘must-have brands’ and ‘never-seen-before boutique labels’ at unheard of retail pricing is to reach out for Qvendo! Yes, this luxury private shopping club does offer a mind-blowing range of clothing and accessories and they have regular campaigns hitting the super highway at regular intervals.

To inform you of all the activity that goes on in the fashion industry globally you will have the attention of a picture-filled informative blog… and if you happen to be on the social networks, well, you have the option of liking the Qvendo Facebook page or even start following the fashionable chirp of their twitter profile!

A final word on charity

Giving is a wonderful emotion that is certainly not an exclusive domain of the rich and the powerful. Each one of us can take a dip in this chastising stream and come out with a shine that stays with us for the rest of our lives.

For those who are unaware of this fact, despite increasing wealth in his country, rich Indians prefer to spend their money on private jets, lavish birthday parties, or BMWs. This came as a big shocker for me… and I thought this blog upload must take at least one small step towards changing this hideous trend!

Where are India’s big donors? Where is India’s Warren Buffett? Do I understand that the passion for philanthropy is missing in India? Shantanu Dutta, who raises money for Viva India, a charity in New Delhi, remarks: “Even as we read about Indian industrialists getting wealthier and wealthier, and also read in the same vein about Warren Buffett giving away 85 percent of his fortune, the topmost question on my mind is whether we can expect to have in our amidst a man of the generosity of Buffett anytime soon.” I am convinced that the passion for philanthropy is very much alive in India and in the Indians and all it needs is the right trigger! I hope this blog serves that purpose.

I am actually quite hopeful as I conducted a search for ‘philanthropy in India’ and was pleasantly surprised with headlines of articles that would make anyone proud:

• Charity Auctions Get a Start in India
• India Considers Expanding Tax Breaks for College Gifts
• Growing Wealth Brings New Phase in India’s Philanthropy
• Gates Foundation Adds $80-Million to India AIDS Program
• Big Philanthropies Plan to Continue Effort to Fight AIDS in India
• Eye-Care Group in India Wins Hilton Prize
• Soros, Omidyar, and Google Collaborate to Finance Enterprises in India
• Gateses, Buffett Tout ‘Positive Spirit’ After Meeting with India’s Rich
• Clinton and Philanthropy: What He Wants to Do   
• Giving in India Rose 50% in Last Four Years, Study Finds
• Indian Billionaire Pledges Quarter of Fortune to Charity
• India’s New Rich Have Been Slow to Embrace Giving
• ‘Slumdog’ Success Helps Indian Children’s Charities
• Large Technology Companies Courting Rural Poor

What is woefully missing in the above list of headlines is an active and proactive participation of the not-so-rich Indian citizen… and we are all aware how readily we open our purses and wallets for jagrans, construction of religious structures, the armed forces, and even when natural calamities strike… why then must we not step forward to make the not-so-rich poor children happier?

Why am I so insistent upon the common man coming forward to donate something that he desires to buy for himself?

Let me quote Jack London to answer this question: “A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.” Need I say more?

However, for the philanthropist to awaken in you, you’ll need to first click here and reach the invitation-only Qvendo site with a special VIP invite!

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Arvind Passey
23 September 2011

Pic credits: Some pics taken from the Qvendo website and their blog