WTF! The Twestival is back!

The India edition of the festival organised by Twitter buffs from around the world is being hosted inside a popular suburban pub. Their aim? To raise six lakhs for charity against the backdrop of the World Cup quarterfinals

Twestival hopes to soon be counted among the biggest charity events in the world. The idea that took shape in 2008 with just a handful of Twitter users in London, and now sees participation from over 140 cities seems well on its way to achieving its goal.


Customers will have to pay an entry fee at WTF! in Khar, the proceeds
of which will go towards the Give India Foundation as part of the third
edition of the Twestival. Pic/ Rane Ashish

"Twestival was held twice last year. This is the third Twestival India is participating in," says Vaijayanthi KM, Regional Coordinator, Twestival India. The event will see participation from seven Indian cities. "Twestival is completely volunteer driven," says Vaijayanthi, who takes time off from her job as a sales consultant to help organise the festival.

"We decided to go local last year, which means that the proceeds from a particular city will go towards a local NGO. This time we have tied up with Give India foundation, who have promised to provide matching grants to the city that raises the maximum money," shares Vaijayanthi, adding, "We have already collected about one lakh through online donations."

Twestival collected Rs three lakhs in India last year and organisers hope to make twice the amount, this year.
Aneesha Ahuja, who is coordinating the event in Mumbai is keeping her fingers crossed for an encouraging turnout at the event which will be held at WTF! a popular watering hole in Khar.

"Given that the quarterfinal of the World Cup is on tomorrow, we decided to screen the match on a large screen. To raise money, we have an entry free and volunteers from the Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD) will also sell their merchandise at the venue," says Aneesha.

On Today
From 7 pm to 10 pm
At WTF, Vora Building, opposite Mumbadevi School, 3rd Road, Khar (W).
Call 26486233, 26048265