Goafest 2016 Young Abby Gold winners donate winning prize to fight gender violence

Bodhisatwa Dasgupta and Nitesh Sah forgo their funded trip to the Cannes Lions and donate amount to an NGO engaged in eliminating gender violence

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | May 3, 2016

Nitesh Sah (center) and Bodhisatwa Dasgupta (right)

The winners of Goafest 2016 Young Abby Awards - Bodhisatwa Dasgupta and Nitesh Sah – have requested the Abby Awards Governing Council to cancel their trip to the Cannes Advertising Festival that they won and donate the money to an NGO that woks in elimination of gender violence.

Dasgupta and Sah, both currently employed at JWT, had won the coveted Gold medal of the newly launched Young Abby Awards at the recently concluded Goafest 2016. The duo had won the metals and much accolade for their campaign against gender violence and were scheduled to undertake a fully funded trip to the Cannes Advertising Festival in mid-June this year.

Honoring the request of the inspiring young achievers, The ABBY Awards Governing Council has decided to contribute a sum of INR 8 lacs (the monetary equivalent of the trip cost) to reputed NGOs doing significant work in the field of gender violence and sensitization.

Talking about their intent behind this noble initiative, Dasgupta and Sah said, "It all started with the brief, really. The task was to do an ad campaign that lessened the number of incidents of gender violence in India. Now I have huge respect for advertising. Advertising can do many great things. But lessen the incidents of gender violence on-ground – Not so much to the last mile. We knew what we had to do. We though if you're really serious about gender violence, don't send us to Cannes (as was promised to the winners).  Instead, donate the money you would spend on a lavish trip to an NGO that works closely with rehabilitating victims. We're glad our entry won and happier still that the Goafest team agreed to donate the money, as was humbly requested.”

Speaking about the encouraging move by the duo, Nakul Chopra, Chairman of Goafest Organizing Committee, said, “Such thoughtful steps by the young showcase their greatness and acts as a great motivation for all around. It is uplifting and humbling to see the two super achievers from the advertising fraternity take such an inspiring stance. We are happy to able to contribute in their cause and hope that more and more youngsters continue to be moved and inspired by their contribution.”

Lauding the decision taken by the duo, Ramesh Narayan, Chairman of the Awards Governing Council of Goafest 2016, said, “The advertising fraternity prides in its power and potential to be agents of change in society.  These two young guns Bodhi and Nitesh and their highly honorable initiative is an inspiration for all of us to walk the talk. I have always been honored to be a part of this industry but today I'm honored that I work among such talented and compassionate individuals.”

The winning campaigns by Dasgupta and Sah - Question, Kidding, Old Fashioned is centered around the evils of gender violence and the need to eliminate it.  The duo endeavored to make a real difference with their campaign and their move towards giving up their winning prize trip is another step towards bringing change and awareness on the issue of gender violence in India.

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