A heart-wrenching story from Lucknow has highlighted the critical role of community support in times of crisis. Ashutosh Giri, a 36-year-old man from Ghazipur, tragically passed away on October 6 after battling end-stage liver cirrhosis. His sudden demise left his wife, Hema, and their two young children—seven-year-old Dhruv and two-year-old Prithvi—in a state of profound grief and financial uncertainty.
A Beacon of Hope in Despair
Ashutosh, who worked as a contractual private employee, was the family's sole breadwinner. His death created an immense void. "After he left us, there was a total void and we went blank," recounted Rameshwar Giri, Ashutosh's brother-in-law and a primary school teacher in Ghazipur. The family's despair, however, found a ray of hope through an innovative community-driven initiative called the National Self Care Team (NSCT).
Help reached the grieving family through Vivekanand Arya, the founder of NSCT. This platform, launched in Uttar Pradesh, is modeled on the successful Teacher Self-Care Team (TSCT). Vivekanand, a government primary teacher himself, had established TSCT in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic to support the bereaved families of fellow government teachers. Witnessing its impact, there was a growing public demand for a similar support system for everyone else.
How the National Self Care Team Operates
"TSCT provides financial aid to govt teachers and not anyone else. There was a huge demand among the general public to bring a platform that supports grief-stricken families other than those of govt teachers. It was then that we decided to come up with NSCT," explained Vivekanand Arya. He revealed that Ashutosh Giri's family is the first beneficiary of NSCT, whose registrations officially began on October 1.
The model is simple yet powerful. From shopkeepers to private employees, anyone except teachers can become a member of NSCT. Membership requires a one-time registration on the official website, www.nsctup.com, and a contribution of just Rs 50. In return, the collective fund pledges support to members' families during dire times. So far, NSCT has attracted 24,000 active members.
A Collective Commitment to Support
Vivekanand detailed the commitment made to Ashutosh's family. "We have committed Rs 10 lakh to each family in distress. We have been able to collect Rs 8 lakh for Ashutosh's family. With five more days for the contributions, I am sure we will raise two lakh more," he stated confidently.
He described NSCT as a unique initiative "of the people, by the people, for the people." The vision extends beyond providing aid after a death. "We appeal to more and more people to register with NSCT so that they get help in dire situations. In addition to the loss of lives, we have also decided to support NSCT members in marrying off their daughters," Vivekanand added, outlining the group's broader social safety net objectives.
The story of Ashutosh Giri's family underscores a growing movement of community-driven financial security in Uttar Pradesh. It demonstrates how small contributions from thousands can create a lifeline for families facing the worst, turning collective empathy into tangible, life-changing support.
