A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Goonj, has given recycling a whole new meaning.

What others see as "waste", Anshu K. Gupta, founder director of Goonj, considers a resource. His organisation works to get these resources to the people who are in dire need of it in the remote villages across the country.

Goonj, which started its operations in 1998, now transports more than 6,000 kg of clothes and other material every months to various states, including Bihar, West Bengal, Assam and Uttaranchal.

In Jammu & Kashmir a unit of the army works as the distribution partner.

In the last six years it has grown to a force of over 300 volunteers and has over 35 collection points in the city and other states.

"Goonj is not an organisation but a movement with no geographical boundaries," Gupta says.

"In Delhi, we distribute clothes every two or three days in winters, whereas in other parts of the country it is at least twice a month.

The biggest task, according to him is effective distribution in the remote villages.

"We have worked hard on a feedback system where all data, including photographs of beneficiaries, in each village is available with us," he said.

The other area of activity is to motivate people in offices, homes, schools and colleges to donate everything that are of no use to them.

Goonj recently launched a programme encouraging children not to throw away their old water bottles, lunch boxes, etc as these are collected and sent to schools in rural areas.

He has done his Masters in Journalism & Advertising PR and a Master's degree in Economics.

The turning point in Gupta's life came when he left his job as corporate communications manager with an automobile manufacturer. He decided to pursue his long cherished dream of Goonj with his own Provident Fund.

The humble beginning to an ambitious mission took off from his two-bedroom rented apartment in Sarita Vihar, south Delhi.

Now it is working with over 80 agencies in different parts of the country. In fact, Goonj has now initiated a 'cloth for work' programme in some areas. After villagers help repair roads and buildings in their own village, they are given a pair of trousers or a shirt.

The experience of recycling garments has taught Goonj a lot. "Salwars often arrive minus the waist cord, which renders the garment useless.

Compensating for this, we supply a 1.5 metre cord along with every outfit. Shoes too are transported tied by their laces to ensure that pairs do not go astray in transit," Gupta said.

In fact, nothing goes waste. Torn clothes, rags and flimsy spaghetti tops are all turned into bags or mats to be used by children in village schools.

Gupta says, "Goonj makes no tall claims of removing poverty or child labour. Our endeavour is to make people aware that one city can look after several villages.

Contact:
Anshu K Gupta at J-93, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi 110044, Tel: 011-2697-2351, Mobile: 98681-46978 or email him at anshu_goonj@indiatimes.com.