SHOPPING FOR ANIMAL WELFARE

[Guest guest]

http://www.financialexpress.com/print.php?content_id=141339>

 

For those who think that affection towards animals can only be expressed

by rearing or being with them, here is different food for thought. You can

even connect with the animal cause by shopping. If you are not convinced,

check out online marketplace eBay, which is selling memorabilia of some of

India's loved film stars, all in the name of charity. Partnering with the

Goa Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), eBay expects

millions of its visitors to do some serious bidding.

 

On offer are John Abraham's stunning red-and-black Yamaha Cap complete with

his embroidered signature, Bipasha Basu's funky bracelet from her personal

collection, Ajay Devgan's movie wardrobe from hard-hitting blockbuster

Apaharan, and Raveena Tandon's gharara gifted by her mother on her birthday,

among others. Raveena Tandon's dress also comes with an add-on, which

collectors would be proud to have in their collections: a personalised

letter for the buyer of the dress. " Designed by designer Anna Singh, the

dress is very near to me. By buying it, you would help some noble people in

the good work that they are doing for this world that also belongs to you

and me. So, you have also become a part of a noble deed, " the letter says.

=4 & adurl=http://clk.atdmt.com/PML/go/gglxxcun0010000120pml/direct/01/ & client=ca-\

indianexpress_js>

 

The array of interesting memorabilia has been uploaded keeping in mind the

World Animal Week (October 4-10). The proceeds from the exclusive charity

auction, undertaken on the eBay India Charity platform, will be used by

GSPCA to provide food, shelter and medical care to stray and wild animals at

Goa's Socrates Oliver Veterinary Hospital.

 

Enthused by positive response, both by the stars and buyers, Lynn de Souza,

chairperson and managing trustee of the Goa SPCA, adds: " We are grateful for

the generosity and compassion shown both by the celebrities, who have

donated for the auction, and the buyers. All the proceeds from the auction

will be used to treat injured street and wild animals in our hospital and

for the upkeep of abandoned animals. "

 

eBay India Charity Fundraising programme is a special section dedicated to

non-profits and enables recognised charities to create awareness, raise

funds and also list products and merchandise for sale to millions of global

and Indian users. Says Gautam Thakar, country manager, eBay India

Marketplace: " The celebrity charity auctions have proved to be an extremely

effective way to get online donors to donate to a good cause and to receive

a product or experience that is rare and hard to find in the offline world.

With this kind of idea, we have tried to make a small beginning in helping

charities and our communities. With time, an increasing number of NGOs are

finding the eBay India charity platform an efficient and cost-effective way

to raise funds and reach out to a passionate and active community of

millions. "

 

The other objective of the Charity Fundraising campaign is to provide a

platform to reputed NGOs and socially responsible corporates and brands to

auction celebrity experiences and unique, hard-to-find items as well as

collect donations from eBay users in India and worldwide. The latest auction

is in line with similar drives done in the past. Recently, eBay India

organised " A day on the sets with Priyanka Chopra " , which received an

enthusiastic response from bidders from around the world. An amount of Rs 2

lakh was collected for an NGO, Nanhi Kali, which works for the education of

the girl child.

 

By organising such initiatives, eBay has also raised funds for tsunami and

Mumbai blasts victims earlier.