The Ice Bucket Puzzle

Well, every now and then there is some sensation on Internet. Earlier it was the 241543903 Heads in the freezer thing (For starters, just Google this number. It was when Social media was not so powerful in India ). Then came the era of photoshops, trolls memes. Most recent became the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge- which got attention of everyone in the loop. It was natural that people were bored with everyone uploading selfies and pics of cats and dogs. They needed something of this sort for entertainment. This challenge is about pouring a chilled bucket over one’s head to avoid donation and pass on the challenge to another person, though most people donate even after completing the challenge.

     Let me clear my view on this thing. Yes charity is a good thing but there are better ways to raise funds. And it’s a part of fun and adventure to take up a challenge like this, if somebody wants. But what startled me was the way people came out to criticize the challenge, without identifying the real issue. The most common thread was about wastage of water for purpose of charity. Appreciated! Water is a scarce resource which should not be wasted. But just one question. Are these critics of water wastage ready to pioneer and stop criminal wastage of water in Holi celebrations? Are they ready to raise voice against Rain dance parties? If yes, I’m with them…

     Secondly, there are far better ways of fund-raising. They do exist already. Like Charity walks, Charity Plantations, Barefoot books etc. But none of them is as famous as this Ice bucket challenge. Why? Because there is no glamour in it. Who in the world will share a video of Charity walk? And who will watch it so keenly, huh? And here comes my next point. Are we doing charity for humanity or charity for publicity? Had it been something like “Plant a tree or pay for charity”, would it have got enough funds? And why we are only focused on pouring of cold water? Why nobody talks of people who have donated instead of taking the challenge? Food for thought.

     It is unfortunate that even the genuine Charity organizations need to something crazy for gathering funds. Most of the well-intentioned and idealistic organizations that refuse to do such gimmicks fall short of funds. It’s time we should look around to identify good charitable institutions and contribute to noble cause, without any propaganda.

     Meanwhile a commendable concept of Rice bucket challenge has come up. But that too as a reaction to Ice bucket challenge. Can’t such a praiseworthy idea be original instead of being a product of copy-paste morality? Wastage of water to raise funds is an issue. But even bigger issue is that we need something like this to draw people’s attention to charity.

 Interesting links:

http://www.better-fundraising-ideas.com

http://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2013/jan/07/top-charities-innovative-fundraising

Disclaimer: I am not for or against ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. My purpose is to look into our own double standards while doing charity. Plus there are questions about what is done with donations raised by such means. Good question. Let us ask the same question while donating under name of religion too!