In a unique blend of heritage and humanitarianism, a Kolkata-based NGO dedicated to serving underprivileged and HIV-affected children for over four decades is making significant strides in pediatric healthcare. The organization is preparing to launch a 100-bed specialized hospital for marginalized children requiring long-term care, marking a milestone in Kolkata's healthcare landscape.
Legacy on Wheels: Driving Change Through Heritage
As part of the lead-up to the hospital's inauguration and in pre-observation of World AIDS Day, the NGO partnered with EIMG to organize "Legacy on Wheels" - a vintage car drive themed "Drive for Awareness." The event perfectly aligned with this year's World AIDS Day slogan, "Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response," emphasizing the urgent need for continued HIV awareness and care.
The initiative had multiple objectives: raising awareness about HIV prevention and care, promoting road safety, and advocating for social inclusion of affected children. More importantly, it highlighted the organization's unwavering commitment to child welfare and public health initiatives that have spanned generations.
Distinguished Participation and Symbolic Journey
The event garnered significant official support, being flagged off by GST state commissioner Uma Shankar, CRC secretary Chandan Roychowdhury, and EIMG secretary Subhajit Kumar. Their participation underscored the collective concern for HIV awareness and the critical importance of ensuring dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their health status.
The morning witnessed a spectacular assembly of 34 vintage cars and four vintage bikes, each representing a unique chapter of Kolkata's rich automotive heritage. In a deeply moving gesture, every vintage car transported children from the Calcutta Rowing Club (CRC) to Anandaghar Home in Sonarpur, providing them with a joyful experience while symbolizing the core message of care, continuity, and shared responsibility.
Artistic Tributes and Powerful Messages
After the convoy reached Anandaghar, renowned painter Samir Aich created a live painting of a vintage car, adding an artistic dimension to the day's theme and creating lasting memories for both children and participants.
OFFER founder Kallol Ghosh delivered an inspiring address, drawing powerful parallels between the well-maintained vintage vehicles and proper healthcare for children living with HIV. "Legacy on Wheels is more than a vintage car rally — it is a message. These cars are 60-70 years old, yet they run beautifully because they have been cared for with love and attention. In the same way, when children living with HIV receive proper care, nutrition, and medical support, they can live full, healthy, and dignified lives," he emphasized.
Ghosh specifically addressed common misconceptions, stating, "It is a complete misconception that children with HIV cannot survive long. Today's rally is our way of showing that with the right care, every child can thrive and shine."
Building Towards a Healthier Future
The vintage car rally successfully transformed Kolkata's streets into a moving celebration of compassion, resilience, and collective responsibility. The powerful visual of heritage cars escorting children to their destination served as a poignant reminder of what thoughtful care and community support can achieve.
As OFFER prepares to open its groundbreaking 100-bed hospital - a first-of-its-kind commitment to long-term pediatric care in the region - the rally marked a significant milestone in Kolkata's journey toward building a future rooted in compassion, equality, and hope for all children, especially those facing health challenges.
The initiative not only amplified public awareness about HIV but also fostered deeper understanding of the challenges and possibilities associated with HIV care, setting the stage for the NGO's expanded healthcare services that promise to transform lives of marginalized children across Kolkata and beyond.
