Care Today Fund

Chairman’s Address

Mr. Manoj Sharma

Chairman, Care Today Fund

Care Today Fund was established by India Today Group in 1999 soon after the Kargil War. The first project “Lest We Forget Fund” was initiated to provide support to 38 soldiers affected by militancy and war and to rehabilitate them. Since then Care Today Fund has stepped forward to help affected communities across the country in times of peril. Over the past 22 years, it has worked to provide immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation in several disasters, supporting several thousands of affected communities.

Care Today Fund has travelled across the length and breadth of the country, from the devastating super cyclone of Odisha in 1999 to severe drought in Rajasthan and Gujarat in 2000; from Kutch district in the aftermath of Gujarat earthquake in 2001 to Campbell Bay in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands devastated by the Tsunami in 2004; from Kashmir earthquake in 2005 to Madhepura, savaged by the Bihar floods in 2008; from the worst floods in a century that created havoc in Kerala in 2018-19 to the worst cyclone ‘Fani’ that hit Odisha in the past 20 years in 2019; from day one of the government lockdown in the aftermath of Covid-19 pandemic situation in the country in March 2020 until now. Care Today Fund has raised and distributed over 25 crores (Rs. 250 million) over the years, rebuilding homes, supporting disaster affected families, instituted scholarships, supporting several income generation schemes, providing livelihood support, supporting survivors of acid attacks, supporting and promoting e-learning activities and supporting over 75000 individuals and about 2000 children with relief materials so far, who were severely affected due to covid-19 pandemic.

Our appeals for help have always been met with generosity. Initiatives of Care Today Fund has helped me understand that while it is easy to raise funds for disaster affected communities in India, the greater challenge is to spend these funds in a meaningful and responsible manner. The uniqueness of Care Today Fund is that it routinely tabulates the manner in which our donations are being spent and periodically reports back about the activities and donations spent through India Today magazines and television channels, addressing concerns of all donors.

Our efforts continue long after a disaster has disappeared from the headlines. We at Care Today Fund are happy to help rebuild lives and livelihoods with the support of our readers and viewers.