The Power of Giving: Diptankar recounts his experience as a first-time ‘Come Let’s Clean’ volunteer

‘Giving’ has the potential to be a potent force that not only helps those on the receiving end, but also has a significant effect on the giver. It serves as a reminder that each of us is a part of something bigger than ourselves and that we all have the ability to change the world for the better.

Diptankar Bhattacharya, Senior Manager – Customer and Partner Experience at Urban Company, speaks about his experience volunteering for the first time at a Come Let’s Clean! drive.

“Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of various social initiatives – from working as a teacher to helping underprivileged children prepare for board exams, to feeding the less fortunate during the Covid-19 pandemic. Naturally, when I got the opportunity to be a part of Urban Company’s CSR initiative – Come Let’s Clean! – I was more than willing to participate. 

The planning here was impeccably done. From choosing the right association to ensuring that little details were taken care of on the day, everything just fell into place. 

Upon entering the community kitchen of the Annamrita Foundation, we were greeted by a lovely staff member who informed us that they prepare mid-day meals and serve more than a lakh people every day! The sheer scale of their effort and dedication awed us all, and put into perspective the importance of our drive as well. Each oil-filled pan, each greasy chimney, and each greasy wall told its own tale, and here we had a team of volunteers, none of whom had ever cleaned more than their own houses. Some of us (myself included), had never even cleaned beyond our own rooms.

Enter Sukhminder Sir, our head trainer from the cleaning category, who taught us how to remove even the stickiest grease stains. And under his watchful eyes and those of his team of trainers, we cleaned pans, which could easily cook for a large gathering, and pots, chimneys, and mixers.  Once that was done, we cleaned the floors and walls. 

Cleaning the whole facility took us roughly 4 hours. At the end of it, we left the place looking fresh and ready to serve its noble cause for the foreseeable future.

As we headed back, I was grateful for the ‘impact’ that I had a role in generating and for being part of something larger than my everyday targets and objectives. At work, we bring our heads together to bring comfort and joy to our customers and partners. But this activity saw me collaborate with my teammates yet again, but this time towards bringing comfort and joy to 1 lakh children (albeit indirectly). I’m grateful for this opportunity, not just this time but for the next as well. Because, as a popular ad jingle goes, ‘Kuch daag achche hote hai’, and I couldn’t agree more!”

About Come Let’s Clean!:

Come Let’s Clean! is Urban Company’s employee-led CSR initiative that strives at creating a lasting difference by volunteering time and expertise to clean public spaces.