DONKS General Meeting 2021 At Pandara Park, Pandara Road, New Delhi
On 9th December 2021, Delhi Odia Nari Kalyan Samiti convened a General Meeting with a focused agenda: to discuss concrete ways to support the poor and vulnerable sections of society. The meeting was held in a warm yet disciplined atmosphere, with executive members, active volunteers, and new participants all present. The Chairperson opened the session by welcoming everyone and briefly recalling the purpose of DONKS—not just to preserve Odia culture in Delhi, but also to extend a helping hand to those in need, irrespective of caste, religion, or region.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, after which the main agenda for the day was taken up. Members reflected on the hardships faced by daily-wage workers, domestic helpers, migrant labourers, and slum-dwelling families in and around Delhi, especially in the lingering shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several members shared first-hand experiences from their own localities, where families were struggling with job loss, school drop-outs, and inadequate access to healthcare and nutrition.
A structured discussion followed regarding the types of support DONKS could provide. Three key areas were identified: food security, education support, and winter relief. For food security, it was proposed that DONKS organise monthly ration kits for selected families, including rice, dal, oil, salt, and basic spices. For education, members suggested school fee support, notebooks, and stationery for children from low-income families, especially those from Odia migrant communities. Winter relief was also prioritised, with a clear plan to distribute blankets, woollen clothes, and socks to pavement dwellers and labourers before the peak of winter.
The financial aspects were discussed in detail. The Treasurer presented the current status of the DONKS fund and explained how much could be allocated immediately without affecting routine activities. It was decided that a special “Sahayata Nidhi” (Help Fund) would be created specifically for welfare activities. Members agreed to contribute voluntarily according to their capacity, and it was resolved that a transparent record of all donations and expenditures would be maintained and shared in subsequent meetings.
Responsibilities were then distributed among the members. One committee was formed for identifying genuine beneficiary families through local surveys and personal visits. Another committee was tasked with procurement—finding reliable vendors for ration items and blankets at reasonable rates. A third committee was formed to handle logistics, packing, and distribution, ensuring that the process was dignified, organised, and strictly non-political. It was also decided that children of the DONKS members would be involved in packing the kits to inculcate values of empathy and social responsibility from a young age.
Before closing, the meeting also touched upon the importance of long-term engagement rather than one-time charity. Several members emphasised that while immediate relief is essential, DONKS should gradually explore sustainable initiatives such as skill-development workshops for women, health-awareness camps, and educational mentorship for children. The Chairperson appreciated these suggestions and noted them as future agendas for upcoming meetings.
The General Meeting of 9th December 2021 concluded with a unanimous resolution: DONKS would not remain a silent observer but would actively work to reduce suffering in its own small but sincere way. A vote of thanks was offered to all members for their time, ideas, and commitment. With renewed motivation and a clear action plan, the members dispersed—each carrying a sense of purpose and responsibility towards the poor and underprivileged of the society.
