**Online Fundraiser at Milaap.org: Raised ₹**4,03,111
Kartikeya, Rohit and Devanshi came to know about Anjana through a news article , and travelled to Rishikesh along with their parents to meet her and understand her needs and challenges.
At a nondescript corner along the Ganges in Rishikesh sits 38-year-old Anjana. Stray dogs nibble at her stationery, flies hover around her and the stench of the garbage makes the surrounding unbearable. Yet, undeterred, she continues to sketch on a sheet of paper with deep concentration and undivided focus.
This may seem like the story of any roadside artist, but Anjana is different. She doesn’t have arms and one of her legs is half the length of the other, thus compelling her to squat in order to walk. Every day, for over a year, she has been travelling several kilometres to occupy a place along the river and showcase her paintings that she creates deftly using her right foot. Her daily journey is laden with danger as she has to walk long distances on congested roads, cross a bridge, board a ferry and then finally take a spot along the river. Anjana’s commute becomes even more cumbersome during the scorching heat of the summers and the heavy downpour during monsoons.
Anjana’s association with art started a year back when she tried to write ‘ram naam’ on pieces of paper with a pen clasped between her toes. Recognizing her talent, a foreign tourist bought her drawing materials and encouraged her to channel her innate talent. Over the next few months her relentless efforts transformed her weakness into her greatest strength in the most unimaginable way. Shestarted selling her paintings. Now, art has become her source of income. Anjana is the sole breadwinner of the family and her earnings help run a family of five.
The students met Anjana’s family, including her aging parents and paralyzed brother, all of whom have significant medical expenses. Anjana is educating her brother’s two children, and hopes to send them to college.
The students were struck by her poise and positivity and felt immense admiration for her spirit, courage and talent.They decided to support her brave efforts. On their return, they got to work and Project ‘The Handless Artist’ took shape. They established a Milaap fundraiser- contacted friends and family members and asked them to donate and/or spread the word about the project. Gaining some momentum, they started a Facebook page, where they posted regular updates as well as video updates and interviews with Anjana. They also allocated a small part of the money received to run an ad campaign- their marketing efforts were successful. Milaap took notice of their efforts and gave them official sponsorship and support.
With the ₹4,03,111/- that the campaign has received, they hope to stabilize Anjana’s source of income- the majority of the amount will be transferred to a fixed deposit account to allow her to earn interest, which will subsequently help her with monthly payments. This account will also function as a de facto nest egg, which the family can access in case of an emergency.