He Spreads Joy through Toys #WATWB
Sheriff Woody Pride and Buzz Lightyear would certainly approve of this Toy Story.
Aryamaan Lakhotia, a teen from Kolkata, has collected and distributed thousands of toys to underprivileged children, through his organization, the Toy Joy.
In doing so, he has managed to accomplish one of the most basic yet difficult tasks—to bring back innocent smiles on the faces of hundreds of children.
A solely student-led organisation, Toy Joy was established in May 2016, after a trip to Jaipur made Aryamaan realize the importance of toys, and the difference they could make.
He was in Jaipur for his cousin, Anoushka’s birthday. When they were returning from the party in a car which was full of gifts, they halted near a traffic signal. A boy came and knocked on the car window, but his eyes were fixated on the gifts. That look touched something in the teens, and they realized how such toys didn’t mean much to them anymore but could truly make a difference to others. That incident made them look inwards, and they decided to start collecting their toys, and those belonging to their family members and friends, to give them to the kids who truly needed and valued them.
“We have thousands of donated toys, of which many are old as well as new. But, we make sure that the kids don’t receive the ones that are dirty, tattered or broken. Those that can be cleaned, repaired and made like new are selected and taken to the NGOs, orphanages and evening schools, where they are distributed,” said Aryamaan to Better India.
What started as a concerted effort to change a social situation, has now spread across seven cities—Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Noida, Bengaluru, Jaipur, Nawa (Rajasthan)—where school students like Aryamaan are leading such collection and distribution programs through the foundation.
Aryamaan recently received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar in the field of social service, from the President of India.
Meet Aryamaan Lakhotia from West Bengal.
He founded ‘Toy Joy’ with the aim of collecting and distributing toys to the underprivileged children in Kolkata.
The organisation has spread to seven cities and brightened the lives of thousands of children! pic.twitter.com/g8Lu7W1P6b
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 24, 2019
More power to this young man, as he and his friends bring back the smiles of thousands of children for whom even a small toy is a luxury.
This post is part of the We Are the World Blogfest, a monthly blogging event created by Damyanti Biswas and Belinda Witzenhausen to showcase stories of hope and light. This month I’m helping out as a co-host, along with extraordinary bloggers : Inderpreet Uppal, Sylvia Stein, Peter Nena and Belinda Witzenhausen —please hop over to check out their WATWB posts as well as from other WATWB participants for a dose of feel-good to last you a whole month. You’ll be happy you did!
Click HERE to check out the intention and rules of the blogfest and feel free to sign up at any time. You are always welcome!
February 22, 2019 12:45 pm|
This is definitely someone I’d feature as a hero of Kindness in my series. Wonderful initiative.
February 22, 2019 4:53 pm|
Truly remarkable. We have a Toy Bank in Mumbai too. But our Toy Bank insists on giving almost new toys. while I agree that the toys should be usable, what do we do with toys that can still be used to make other things? I know my grandchildren do a lot of stuff with bibs and bobs….
February 22, 2019 4:56 pm|
What a wonderful initiative to give children a right to childhood
February 22, 2019 6:27 pm|
Kudos to this young man. At an age where kids want to enjoy their life with friends and lead a care-free life, Aarymaan is doing such a wonderful job. Looking through the eyes of a boy at the traffic signal and taking his hidden desire as a mission is what can be caed as an act of kindness..
February 22, 2019 10:05 pm|
This is such a wonderful initiative by Aaryaman. More power to him and hope his story spreads to be an inspiration to others.
February 22, 2019 10:19 pm|
What a lovely inspiring story, and what a delight to see a compassionate thought and kindness spread into something so vast. This is such a positive example of what is possible. Thanks for sharing this, as well as co-hosting #WATWB Shilpa.
February 22, 2019 11:53 pm|
Children are truly sensitive and seeing the pain which others go through. A caring dude and making such a difference to lives, igniting a smile. He’s a divine send.
February 23, 2019 7:52 am|
Amazing , this teen has done wonders to bring smiles to the innocent faces . Toys are always joyous . Simply kudos to the going man.
February 23, 2019 8:53 am|
This is the best thing i read today. Bringing smiles on these kids face is the best thing to do. More power to this boy.
February 23, 2019 9:35 am|
Its heartening to see such high actions arising amongst the younger folks and teens…Way to go India!!
February 23, 2019 4:04 pm|
This is an enchanting story, Shilpa. I love the way it happened, how it dawned on them when a child is looking longingly at toys in their car. I was wondering if, in India, do children hanker for western toys or are there some traditional ones they also like? Or, perhaps, it’s a bit of both. Thanks for co-hosting us.
February 24, 2019 5:26 am|
What a wonderful idea, thank you for sharing and being a part of “We are the world.
February 24, 2019 7:23 am|
Aryamaan’s compassion is so touching and the fact he started this initiative is heartwarming! Love this story, thank you so much for sharing and for being a part of #WATWB.
February 24, 2019 6:55 pm|
What a beautiful story! I’m amazed how much compassion and kindness can drive one even at such a young age to reach out to less privileged people. Wonderful work and Kudos to Aaryaman for the wonderful initiative! Thanks for bringing us this inspiring story, Shilpa.
February 25, 2019 12:29 am|
thanks Shilpa – a hero for sure in his initiative of toys for joy! And thanks too for co-hosting 🙂