I used to think I had an average upbringing. I was given food more than I could eat, a space to live more than needed, education more than I would ever use and affection from my family and friends enough to accept and love my life the way it was. The list goes on and on. I grew up with kids like myself having similar societal status. I thought this is how this world is. But, I couldn't be more wrong.

 

By the time I hit my teenage, I started questioning almost everything. Don't we all? Those are our "rebel years". Why is "this" the way it is? Sometimes I got my answers, sometimes I didn't. I never stopped questioning though. There were some questions that I never got the answers of. They left me frustrated. One of those questions is the reason why I'm writing this today.

 

I had the privilege to study in some good schools and a prestigious engineering college.

I was fortunate enough to change my field of work. I'm now roaming around the country for my shoots. Ofcourse, I had my struggles and they haven't stopped yet. But today I can say 
I'm happy with what I do. 

 

This takes me to the point I want to make here. During my travels I got to see a different side of this country. Something that we only read about in newspapers or see on TV most of the times. Most of us think about it for a while and then move on. Who wants unnecessary negativity in their life? I would say the same for myself.

 

There are people out there, lots of them, who struggle for every meal of every day. These people cannot afford to take a day off. They never got the chance to get the required education or skills to earn enough for themselves and their families. So they have to fight life everyday. Most of these people live in such situations from their very childhood. Lots of them accept it because that's the only way of life they have seen.

 

This baffled me.

Here I am who studied to be something else and doing something completely different for a living because that's what I wanted to do. And I'm happy with it. And then there are people out there who do not get a chance to study or acquire skills of what they really want to do. They do what their circuimstances ask them to do. 

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I used to think about this a lot. I couldn't get the solution to change their situation.  

You know why most of these people have to struggle like this all their life? Because they were not born in the families like us. Despite the circumstances they have, some of them fight back and succeed in changing their situation. I salute to them. But it's not easy. Most of these people do not have enough resources or mindset, in some cases, to move up the ladder. 

They didn't do anything to be born in very limited resources. It's just luck, plain and simple.
 
And this is what bothers me. I got lots of chances through out my life. And I'm really thankful for that.
But there are people out there who never had the privilege to get one chance that may help them to live their life better.

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I want to create those chances. Or, atleast, I want to help the people who are doing that.

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As ironic as it may sound, I believe education is the best way to live a better life.

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So, I started working towards it.

I have been doing it for a while but it wasn't a regular thing. Lots of us tend to think they are doing enough when they could have easily done a little more. While every small or big contribution counts, I feel we can all push ourselves a little more. Or atleast try a little more.

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I have decided to do my bit towards improving this situation, regularly.

1. From 8th August, 2016 onwards 5 % of earnings by Abhinav Khandelwal Studios will be used to educate and help underprivileged children. We have shortlisted some organisations that we believe are genuinely working in this field. We'll be contributing to these organisations until we setup our own group.

2. I'll be contributing my time and skills regularly towards helping these organisations. I'll make sure to save some time from my work schedule. People working for the cause are welcome to contact me. It would be my pleasure to be of any help. Others may contact too. 

3. I'll also be organising photography workshops to contribute towards the cause further in near future.

4. I aspire to go to 10% in the next 2 years.  

5. I'll also be contributing a part of it into the welfare of acid attack victims.

 

I know it's not nearly enough. I like to think this is a good start for me. 

Friends, I'm doing my bit now. And if you're reading this, chances are you can do too, if you're not doing already. I do realise it's not enough but if we all contribute in our little ways and do it consistently, I believe we can make a difference. Keywords here are "all" and "consistently".

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Pick the cause you feel is most meaningful and pick the people who are working for it. Do your homework. Make sure you are helping the people who are genuinely working for the cause.
And if that's too much trouble, go out. You can do it yourself too. It's preferable. You'll definitely find people who need your help. Or you can contact me, I'll help you with that. 

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For any queries about the initiative or in general, you can contact me directly on my cell 9205528570.

Remember every drop counts! 

Thank you,
Abhinav Khandelwal