It is with anguish and considerable trepidation that I consume news these days. The dreaded news about Himachal Pradesh is all about the state sinking under the weight of water, death and destruction; as we read about floods and fatalities, lives and homes lost. Occasionally, there is a burst of sunlight through the darkness: we hear of heroic rescues and people literally becoming lifelines for each other in distress. The humanity shines through.

Club genesis

Humanity has always been the cornerstone of Himachal Mitra Mandal, a Chembur club, founded in 1952. A group of friends, around eight of them, from Himachal living in Mumbai got talking about how one can help the Himachali community in the city. This support could comprise funding a sick person’s treatment, fees for a needy person’s child… in fact, many factors of living here. Soon a network began to blossom and formalised into a club. At that time, it was called the Kangara Mandal. We had a great many cabbies (black ’n’ yellow) taxi drivers who had come in from Himachal Pradesh. Some businessmen also made Mumbai their home, coming in from 2,000 km away to build a life here. The club recognised that all these people may need help in their own way, and it was important to come together to be able to offer support and guidance.