Record feat to help people in crises
dubai — In line with the UAE’s Year of Giving initiative, the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) is organising the largest collection of pulses and legumes to aid people in crises around the world. On October 20, the drive will aim to collect more than 10,000kg of pulses.
The collection drive will be held at the Etisalat Academy in Muhaisnah, Dubai, from 9am to 6pm.
As per the Guinness World Records, this could be the world’s largest collection of pulses/beans on a single day as the last record of a similar nature resulted in the collection of 5,000kg.
Mohammed Abdullah Alhaj Al Zaroni, manager, ERC Dubai, said: “We have been aiding the refugees in Syria, Yemen, Somalia and other countries and will continue to do so. We will rely heavily on the generosity of the UAE residents in achieving the target of 10,000kg of pulses and legumes.”
Venkat Krishnamoorthy, who has been carrying out various charity drives in the UAE and has been supporting underprivileged children in Tamil Nadu, India, will be part of the drive. A long-term associate of the ERC Dubai, Venkat has been closely working with the charity organisation for the past year on different charity drives.
Venkat told Khaleej Times: “A small gesture at the right time makes a huge difference. Through this collection drive, we are aiming to help our fellow human beings across boundaries.”
The ERC informed Krishnamoorthy that there was a requirement for pulses. “Pulses for
We will rely heavily on the generosity of the UAE residents in achieving the target of 10,000kg.” Mohammed Abdullah Al Zaroni, manager, ERC, Dubai
the poor are like meat for the rich. It gives a similar amount of protein content. And so we decided to involve the whole country in this act of joyful giving.
“We are creating awareness and have spread the word to organisations and schools to collect pulses/ grains on their premises that they can bring it to the collection venue on October 20,” he said.
“We could have easily done this collection by asking someone to sponsor it but we wanted to create awareness among people and therefore we want every individual of the UAE to participate. It is not the numbers but the participation of people that is important.
“People have come forward from all the emirates of the UAE to contribute and this shows how deeply ingrained is the value of giving in the whole country, thanks to the wise leadership of the country and its initiatives.”
About 10 schools, 10 corporates and a number of individuals and various organisations have volunteered to take part in the drive.
Sona Ram, MD of Tamil FM, which is part of the drive, said: “We are happy to provide an opportunity for our thousands of listeners in the UAE to contribute at this charity event. People can drop off the pulses/ grains even to our office in Bur Dubai if they are unable to come out on the day of collection. If they have a big quantity then we can also get it picked from them.”
Talking about why they chose pulses/grains for collection, Ram said: “Pulses, grains and legumes have a long shelf life and can be easily transported and stored for a longer period of time compared to other food products.
Pulses for the poor are like meat for the rich. It gives a similar amount of protein content.” Venkat Krishnamoorthy, philanthropist