Doing good is a collective responsibility
— Anshu Gupta
Founder Director Goonj.. & Gram Swabhimaan
Biography
Anshu Gupta, popularly known as the Clothing Man is the Founder of an Indian based nonprofit – Goonj. One of India’s leading social entrepreneurs Anshu brings to the table an instinctive empathy and connect with people, moving the focus from the conventional – giver’s pride to the unconventional – receiver’s dignity. Asia’s Noble, the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay award 2015, conferred to him credited him for “his creative vision in transforming the culture of giving in India, his enterprising leadership in treating cloth as a sustainable development resource for the poor, and in reminding the world that true giving always respects and preserves human dignity”.
Recognition
Highlights
Founder Goonj spoke recently on ‘Fueling the rise of the global economy’ at Devex 2022, a unique global development event, attended by 1,000 thinkers, doers, change-makers, and expert practitioners from across the world.
Mr Anshu Gupta with NatGeo – “One man is bringing dignity to the poor, as he transforms urban discards into usable resources for the underprivileged” #OneForChange #NatGeoIndia
Harvard Business School Case Study on Goonj!!
Focusing on how Goonj adapted and expanded its work during the pandemic and evolved its way forward.
Take a Look..
Take a moment and watch-Safar. An award-winning film (based on a poem by Mr. Anshu Gupta, Founder Goonj & Gram Swabhimaan) that stands as a reminder of the 2020 migrant crisis and how we as a community fell short of taking care of the people who always took care of us.
एक क्षण लें और देखें-सफ़र। एक पुरस्कार विजेता फिल्म (श्री अंशु गुप्ता, संस्थापक गूंज और ग्राम स्वाभिमान की कविता पर आधारित) जो 2020 के प्रवासी संकट की याद दिलाती है और कैसे हम एक समुदाय के रूप में उन लोगों की देखभाल करने से चूक गए जिन्होंने हमेशा हमारी देखभाल की है।
The slow interview with Neelesh Misra
Migrant Workers Not ‘Escaping’, Society Failed Them
Poverty can be eradicated with Dignity. Watch here.
Ensuring Food Security in India During the Coronavirus
Collective Intelligence: From Top Down to Bottom Up !
Rajasthan Patrika Keynote Salon. Watch here.
Lockdown Talks with Jagriti. Watch here.
Kovidi by Anshu Gupta – ‘Tum vapas na aana .. “
Goonj celebrated its 25th anniversary on 18th February 2024. The annual Chaupal was marked by the presence of several volunteers, well-wishers, and team members from pan India. It was a day filled with gratitude, learning, celebration, laughter, and sharing of dreams.
Goonj hosted its first Junoon Award to honor the changemakers who worked tirelessly to support those who were afflicted by illness and distress during the pandemic. Congratulations to Junoon Awardees (Bhumi , Deepalaya , Doctors For You (DFY) , Indian Institute of Education & Care – IIEC , Maya CARE , Uninhibited) and to those recognised for Special Jury Mention(Project Mumbai , United Way Bengaluru) and Special Jury Appreciation(Clownselors , Kachisadak Foundation , Learning Initiatives for India).
Goonj recently organized the tenth edition of Baithak in Delhi on 4th and 5th August 2023.
The event saw participation from 29 bright young leaders working pan India on an array of issues ranging from education to rural livelihood generation and mental health awareness. We aimed to bring together a community of doers building a support system and an inclusive ecosystem of co-learning, unlearning, and collaboration. We hope to successfully organize more such Baithaks in the future, joining more budding organizations with this platform.
Some glimpses…
Goonj celebrated its 24th anniversary in 2023, by holding Chaupal in 8 cities across India. Our no-agenda discussions with a diverse group of panelists were attended by many. The days were filled with meaningful conversations, knowledge exchange, and sharing of ideas.
Jagriti Yatra visited Goonj on 5th January. Every year, for 13 years now, Team Goonj looks forward to welcoming an enthusiastic group of 400+ youth from all over the country on a unique train journey, stopping over at Delhi to meet our Founder and see the work. May this community of Doers grow every year..
