Udupi: Social worker Ravi Katapady and his team, who have been raising funds for the treatment of sick children by appearing in different costumes during Krishna Janmashtami for the past 14 years, will dedicate this year’s collection to children battling cancer.
The initiative will enter its 15th year during the upcoming Ashtami celebrations on September 4 and 5. The team has announced that this will also be their final Janmashtami costume campaign.
Rs 1.85 crore raised in a decade
Speaking at a press conference, Ravi Katapady said the team has collected a total of Rs 1.85 crore over the last 10 years through its unique fundraising initiative.
The money collected during the campaigns has been used to support the medical treatment of 204 sick children, providing financial assistance to their families during difficult periods.
The initiative has continued for 14 years, with Ravi and his team using creative costumes to attract public attention and encourage people to contribute towards the medical needs of children.
Over the years, the campaign has become associated with the Janmashtami celebrations, combining traditional festivities with a humanitarian cause.
Final costume campaign on September 4 and 5
The team will once again take to the streets during Ashtami this year, travelling across Udupi city and surrounding areas on September 4 and 5 to collect donations.
For the final campaign, the team members will appear in a special costume depicting a sea creature.
Ravi said the team has decided that this will be their last Janmashtami costume appearance. After completing the 15th year of the initiative, the members do not plan to continue wearing costumes during Ashtami celebrations.
The decision marks the end of a 14-year journey during which the group has used the popularity of Janmashtami festivities to mobilise financial support for children requiring medical treatment.
This year’s funds for children with cancer
The entire amount collected during this year’s campaign will be directed towards the treatment of young children suffering from cancer, Ravi said.
Cancer treatment can place a considerable financial burden on families, particularly when children require prolonged medical care. By directing the latest fundraiser towards such cases, the team aims to provide assistance to families struggling to meet treatment expenses.
The campaign will rely on public contributions collected during the two-day tour of Udupi and nearby areas.
Appeal for public support
Ravi Katapady appealed to donors and members of the public to extend their support to the humanitarian initiative.
He urged people to contribute generously so that the funds collected during the final Janmashtami costume campaign can help more children access the treatment they need.
The initiative’s journey over the past 14 years has seen the team combine cultural celebration with community service. The reported assistance of Rs 1.85 crore to 204 children reflects the scale of the fundraising effort undertaken over the years.
As the team prepares for its final costume campaign, the focus will remain on ensuring that the donations collected reach children fighting cancer and help their families manage the cost of treatment.
The September 4 and 5 campaign will therefore mark both the conclusion of a long-running Janmashtami tradition for the team and another effort to turn public participation in the festivities into direct support for children in need.