Vadodara: A few years ago, she saw some children walking across the road without footwear in a village in Dabhoi taluka of Vadodara. Concerned over their condition, Padmajaraje Gaekwad , the older daughter of royal family member Radhikaraje Gaekwad, thought of helping such poor children. The 17-year-old launched an initiative, ‘Heart to Feet,’ in May this year through the Maharani Chimnabai Stree Udyogalaya .
“I started collecting funds to buy new shoes for the poor kids and the needy people. People responded positively and donated generously,” Padmajaraje told TOI. In three months, Padmajaraje distributed over 8,000 shoes in and around Vadodara.
“Since our childhood, my mother used to always tell me to be grateful for all the things we have in our lives. As I grew up, it occurred to me all the more when I saw kids walking around without footwear,” she said. Currently studying in a school in the UK, Padmajaraje raised nearly Rs 1 lakh for the initiative, and she got donations from India, Australia, Bahrain, and other countries.
She plans to take the initiative to a bigger level and address the other needs of the underprivileged community in the coming years. Padmajaraje also tied up with Lakshya Trust and donated footwear to the LGBTQ community. “The project has given her confidence to help people.
It will also keep her rooted and connected to the community here,” Radhikaraje said. The Maharani Chimnabai Stree Udyogalaya is already helping poor women and offer.