Minister Kiren Rijiju receives Rs 7.08Crore raised by US-based Parul University Alumnus for the families of Pulwama attack martyrs.

Vadodara origin Viveik Patel who is based in US took an initiative to raise funds for the families of 45 Pulwama CRPF martyrs via Facebook fundraising option. 

This fundraising campaign received an overwhelming response and collected a whopping Rs7.08Crore. This turned out to be the biggest fundraiser done till date on Facebook and tech giant waived off the service fees.

Yesterday Minister of States for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju received the amount via American Indian Foundation

“I had just completed watching the movie Uri the surgical strike, when i got to truly realise the depth of sacrifice which our soldiers give for the nation each and every single time. Finding out about the Pulwama attack made me realise their sacrifice to this nation, and not only their sacrifice alone but also of their families. So i thought of finding a way to also do my part as an Indian and contribute to this sacrifice, i simply went on my social media, and made use of my follower base to create the fundraiser. Even though it was met by so many questions in the start, such as how i was going to transfer the funds, and for what purpose, but amidst of all this, contributions started coming in and before you know it, everyone in America and even other countries like Canada also showed interest in making these donations.” The Indian consulate in the US also supported this initiative by facilitating the corporation of a suiting NGO in order to transfer the funds to India successfully.

Upon completing his engineering Bachelor’s from Parul University, Viveik further went for his higher studies in the USA and has established his professional career in Virginia. Being away from India, his attachment to his nation has been greatly seen and commended by the entire global community. The Pulwama terrorist attack struck the hearts of every single Indian, either home or away from home. “ Seeing this honourable act of generosity taken by our very own alumnus Viveik Patel brings me great pride and restores my hope in the goodness of humanity. Seeing a 26 year old go out of his way to do such a wonderful selfless act of putting the lives of the 45 soldiers and all their families first before his own  desires, is what i call true national service. It restores the hope in our Indian youth, and it shows how national service is not limited to age, or to any boundaries, we all can serve our nation in every single way possible, Viveik truly stands as a great model and example to all our students in Parul University and to all the youth of India”, shared Dr Devanshu J Patel the President of Parul University.