As Anavi enters its 5th year, it really has turned out to be better than expected.

The Anglo Eastern Wives Initiative that took its first baby steps in 2009 as Parivaar and later rechristened Anavi, with a handful of members and a relentless will to help the underprivileged sections of the society is now associated with various institutes in Kolkata that help children and elders that are not as fortunate as others. Celebrations for the fourth anniversary were due and rightly so. However, celebrations are not only about having a good time and making merry. So it was decided, in the true spirit of the work we do – to organize a Blood Donation Camp.

Date was obvious – 16th June, Anavi’s anniversary date. Place – Maritime Medical Consultancy premises which Dr Mukherjee was more than happy to allow us to use over for this wonderful cause. Organizing the setup – Lions club was there to help us out. But that was the easy part. Getting seafarer’s on leave to come on a Sunday morning? That is what we were a little apprehensive about. But thanks to efforts of Anavi members who spread the word using modern technology (Anavi has a Group and a Page on Facebook in addition to the website – www.aesmanavi.org) with good old charm and tireless effort of Mr. Rajan Bose using his good office to reach out to as many as possible, we managed to get a very healthy participation. Fifty odd seafarers , their family members and friends made this a truly successful event. The number was almost double of what we achieved last year.

Our most sincere and heartfelt thanks to all the seafarers and their families who made this a truly memorable day. We look forward to growing the Anavi family and greater participation in making a difference to lives of people not as fortunate as us. As a token of appreciation, a gift set was given to all the participants along with refreshments that included fruits, juice, sandwiches, and sweets.

Anavi has entered its fifth year with a bang; the rest of the year should be no less.