German ambassador takes 'rice bucket challenge'

September 09, 2014 19:39

German ambassador Michael Steiner today took up the 'Rice Bucket Challenge', donating rice to more than 300 families residing in a slum here, days after Indian netizens came up with this desi version of ALS ice-bucket challenge.

"Many people are taking up the ice bucket challenge but here in India, it is not about ice but rice. The idea is that the society still accepts the fact that there are poor people and we have to change that," Steiner said.

Around 392 families residing in Vivekanand Camp in Chanakyapuri area here queued up to receive a bucket filled with five kilograms of rice each.

Rachna, a differently-abled woman, was happy that such initiatives were being undertaken to support those in need.

"Ration is something we really require to feed children. This is very helpful," said Rachna.

Organised by the German Embassy in collaboration with NGO 'Chintan', the idea was to raise awareness among people to help in eradicating poverty.

"Of course, this is just a gesture. Unfortunately, our society still accepts poverty as unavoidable and we have to change that," Steiner said.

Reiterating that poverty can be eradicated by a sustained will, the ambassador said slum rehabilitation by providing housing to everyone in India is the need of the hour. The ambassador also announced that another slum upgrading project, to which Germany wants to dedicate Rs 27 crore, is being prepared.

The original ALS ice bucket challenge had been designed to raise funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) -- also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease and motor neurone disease (MND). Days after the campaign went viral, netizens took up the Indianised version 'Rice Bucket Challenge', in line with the mantra of 'charity begins at home' and posted videos, pictures on social networking websites as they donated rice to the needy.

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