Giving Tuesday is an honorary day dedicated to spreading generosity and compassion. Celebrated each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, this day offers a gentle reminder to shift from holiday spending to heart-centered giving. It’s a time to come together as a community, nurture causes that resonate deeply and share kindness in ways that uplift and inspire. Whether through a heartfelt donation, time spent volunteering, or simply offering a helping hand, Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to honor our collective power to bring more goodness into the world.
At PAAVANI, it is essential to contribute to this global movement and participate by spreading awareness and making charitable donations. Each Giving Tuesday, we intentionally choose an organization based in India, Ayurveda’s motherland, to fundraise for so that we may GIVE back to this country that has taught us so much. In past years, you may have even helped us to raise funds!
“Each Giving Tuesday, we intentionally choose an organization based in India, Ayurveda’s motherland, to fundraise for so that we may GIVE back to this country that has taught us so much.”
Giving Back on Giving Tuesday
You may recall that last year, we donated to Action Against Hunger , a global humanitarian organization that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of world hunger. In 2023, our charitable organization of choice was the Naz Foundation , whose work empowers marginalized groups like the LGBTQ+ community, adolescent girls, young women and orphan children living with HIV or AIDS. In 2022, we supported the Desai Foundation’s Asani Sanitary Napkin Campaign, which provides economic opportunity for Indian women by training them to manufacture and distribute sanitary napkins (pads) and helps to end period stigma, which is common in India. In 2021, we donated to Wells for Life , a non-profit that provides clean and safe drinking water to rural villages and communities in need throughout India.
This year, we are proud to announce that we wholeheartedly support Wildlife SOS and will be donating to their Elephant Conservation & Care Centre in Uttar Pradesh, India. In today’s world, where environmental conservation and wildlife protection are more crucial than ever, supporting organizations like Wildlife SOS can make a significant difference to the ecology of an area. By donating 10% of all sales generated today, on Giving Tuesday, to Wildlife SOS and their work at the Elephant Conservation & Care Centre (ECCC) , we can contribute to the protection and well-being of elephants and other wildlife species while significantly impacting the wellbeing of the planet.
History of Wildlife SOS & the Elephant Conservation & Care Centre
Wildlife SOS was founded in 1995 by a group of individuals dedicated to wildlife conservation and animal welfare. Over the years, the organization has grown significantly, expanding its operations to include rescue centers, rehabilitation facilities and community outreach programs. The Elephant Conservation & Care Centre in Uttar Pradesh is one of Wildlife SOS’s flagship projects, providing a safe haven for rescued elephants and research on elephant behavior and management.
Established in 2010 in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India’s sole Elephant Conservation and Care Centre is a vital sanctuary dedicated to rehabilitating and caring for over 30 abused elephants. Through a collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, the center serves as a beacon of hope for these majestic creatures rescued from distressing situations. Whether enduring a history of exploitation as begging tools*, confinement as temple elephants or coercion into circus performances, the elephants at ECCC now enjoy a life free from cruelty.
*You may be wondering what we mean exactly when we say that elephants have been used as “begging tools”. To expound further, some elephants are made to walk on the streets of India for long hours to beg for alms. These elephants may be malnourished, emaciated and even blind (such as Arya, one of the rescued elephants at the ECCC) and are forced to walk from one village to another, performing tricks such as lifting their trunks or giving blessings to fetch money.
With ample open spaces, natural vegetation and water pools for bathing, the ECCC closely mimics elephant’s natural habitat, offering them a semblance of the life they deserve. The center not only provides daily care and a nutritious diet but also stands as an educational platform, striving to shift public perception and garner support for elephant conservation efforts. This exceptional facility exemplifies the transformative impact of compassion and care towards these gentle giants.
“Known as India’s skinniest elephant, Lakshmi is extremely emaciated & thin.“
For years, Lakshmi endured a life as a begging elephant, facing unimaginable hardships. Being called India’s skinniest elephant is no overstatement—her bent knees and prominent bones revealed the effects of severe, prolonged malnutrition. After being rescued, she was initially placed in a Madhya Pradesh Forest Department facility before being transferred to the Wildlife SOS Treatment Unit, where she could finally receive essential medical attention and specialized care.
How Wildlife SOS’s Work Supports India, its Elephants & the Planet
By donating to the Wildlife SOS’s Elephant Conservation & Care Centre, we will collectively help preserve a precious species, safeguard the integrity of India’s biodiversity and, in turn, protect the planet. In India, elephants are deeply intertwined with the country’s cultural and national heritage due to their symbolic representation of wisdom, strength, intelligence and prosperity. For example, they are portrayed in Hinduism as the elephant-headed Lord Ganesha, who is considered the remover of obstacles and the deity to pray to when manifesting good luck and new beginnings. Elephants have played integral roles in historical events and festivals, exemplifying the revered status that elephants hold in Indian society. Undoubtedly, elephants symbolize a connection to ancient traditions, spirituality and the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, making them an integral part of India’s cultural identity and national pride.
These intelligent and social animals also play a crucial role in maintaining forest ecosystems, from seed dispersal to creating microhabitats for other species. Elephants act as ecosystem engineers, shaping landscapes and promoting forest regeneration. However, elephants face numerous threats, including habitat loss, poaching and human-elephant conflicts. By supporting initiatives like the ECCC, we can ensure a brighter future for these magnificent animals and the well-being of India’s natural habitats.
Further, the work done by Wildlife SOS has a ripple effect that extends beyond India’s borders. By conserving wildlife and their habitats, the organization helps mitigate the impacts of climate change and preserve natural resources for future generations. Elephants, in particular, are keystone species that profoundly impact the environment due to their seed dispersal actions (as mentioned above) and ability to shape landscapes. Thus, supporting Wildlife SOS benefits India’s rich biodiversity and contributes to global conservation efforts. Protecting elephants and other wildlife species safeguards the planet’s ecological health and promotes sustainable coexistence between humans and nature.
For the Love of Elephants & the Natural World
This Giving Tuesday, we are honored to donate 10% of all PAAVANI Ayurveda sales to Wildlife SOS and their compassionate work at the Elephant Conservation & Care Centre. Joining hands with organizations like Wildlife SOS allows us to unite to support India’s wildlife, ecosystems and the planet’s wellbeing. Through collective efforts, we can help preserve the natural world and its beauty for future generations while also giving back to Ayurveda’s homeland, for which we are forever grateful. Thank you for joining us in this heartfelt mission to protect and cherish all that sustains us.