‘Helpline For You’, a 250 member strong group consisting of volunteers came into being in 1996. As the name suggests, this is an organization/trust working for people who need help and guidance no matter what the problem…only it has to be genuine. The President of this group is Mr. Abhijit Shende and their legal advisor is Mr. Kaustubh Kulkarni, an advocate by profession.

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50% of the members are businessmen from affluent backgrounds and the other 50% comprises of students. Their consultants too are from reputed fields. With people from various professional backgrounds, they use their knowledge and experience to help solve the problems of the citizens of Pune.

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Dominantly concerned with creating awareness of traffic rules and regulations, discipline, pollution control, petrol saving, etc., they take up all sorts of complaints and after studying the case guide the complainant accordingly.

Besides providing help, they create awareness through the Press. Like for example there was this time an ex employee of a highly reputed company went about swindling people using the company’s name. ‘Helpline For You’ cross checked with the company and on realizing that he was a con man, wrote about the same in the newspapers to warn the public.

They are authorized to fine people for breaking traffic rules and help regulate traffic especially during the festival of Ganpati. When the rickshaws went on strike inconveniencing the Puneites, they made sure that they did their part to ease the problems of the public…they arranged their vehicles at various posts in the city where anyone in need of transport had to just give them a call.

In December 1998, they organized a live orchestra performance for the military people in Leh.

Besides all these and more, they help the government during the elections and also invite inspectors to colleges to create traffic awareness among the youth. There is no membership to this organization…anyone is welcome to join voluntarily. They also believe that their work is their first priority and so do not expect a person to be present for every issue or cause that they take up. However, although all 250 members are not present at the same time for various issues there are always definitely 25-30 of them to offer their help.

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1. Campaign against corruption
2. Creating awareness among people regarding traffic rules, pollution control, saving of petrol
3. Student’s problems
4. Importance of cleanliness
5. Tree conservation and awareness about tree plantation
6. Importance of the paying tax regularly to the Government for the proper development of our country
7. Blood/Eye donation camps
8. Family Planning & Child Adoption
9. Creating awareness regarding Aids/Cancer/Leprosy
10. Educational System Improvements/Students problems
11. Campaign against Vulgarity in Society
12. Problems in Kashmir, Punjab, Assam (National Integration)
13. Creating awareness regarding child labour and child marriage
    
    They do not accept money and they do not give money as they feel that money is the root cause of problems. So, though they may guide you in every way possible to help solve your problem, if money is what you are in need of…you won’t find it here. All those in need of help can contact ‘Helpline For You’ at the following address and number:

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Address:
Helpline For You,
470, Sadashiv Peth,
Opp. New English School,
Pune - 411030.
Regn. No. MAH/11371/96

E-mail: abhishende@hotmail.com

Phone No.: 24488005 or 24002251/2

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