Our community’s vibrant and popular youth icon, Pearl Tirandaz, known for her dedication to community-cum-social-service, and founder of the inspiring ‘Good Deeds Project’ (GDP), continues to inspire and make a difference in the lives of many. The Good Deeds Project is Pearl’s way of giving back to society, where she also highlights motivating stories of good deeds done by everyday people, who feel naturally compelled to help the less privileged. One of her more recent projects was reaching out to our frontline warriors who continue to protect us, at the risk of their own lives.

Pearl shares the moving experience, “The idea to do something for them came from a hoarding that caught my eye, which saluted hundreds of frontline warriors, especially our policemen who succumbed to Covid 19. My first thought was that while we tend to blame for things, we never really appreciate them, when deserved. So, I shared a message of doing a ‘Snack Box Drive’ for our policemen to show our appreciation. I was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming response! What started out as a heartfelt idea was soon becoming a logistical nightmare! I reached out to friends and well-wishers for their help. And so started the GDP’s First Snack Box Drive, where we delivered 150 boxes to our policemen and BMC workers, in and around Dadar. 

Though it was the day of the storm in Mumbai, we set out to distribute our ready snack boxes. And we experienced the reality that our brave cops endure – doing their duty despite being soaked to the bone due to the rains. I remember thinking, while I was drenched and shivering – My God! how do they do it with a smile on their faces! They were cordial and thankful of being thought of during these times.” 

GDP’s second ‘Snack Box Drive’ took place on a thankfully sunny day, where 350 boxes were distributed across Parel, Byculla, Mohammed Ali Road, Fort, Colaba, Nariman Point, Chowpatty, Malabar Hill, Teen Batti, Haji Ali, Worli and Dadar. The third drive had the GDP team delivering 500 snack boxes across Sion, Dharavi, Kalanagar, Mahim, Bandra, Khar Police Station, Santacruz Airport, Vile Parle, Jogeshwari, Juhu and Andheri.

“It felt wonderful to meet and speak with them and let them know that we are thankful for all that they do for us, especially during these times. They were happy to know of the Good Deeds Project. I couldn’t have done this without our volunteers. It was physically exhausting, with each drive taking up over eight hours constantly on the road, stopping at every corner or where we saw them patrolling, as also vising the police stations in the area. But the best part about this endeavour is that I saw a lot of people get motivated to take up such initiatives, and that’s the whole idea behind the Good Deeds Project! The more you lead by example, the more people get inspired to follow suit!”

So how does Pearl make the time for her passionate Good Deeds Project, despite her numerous other responsibilities as an employed, young mother-of-two, and a fitness enthusiast, amongst other roles? “Doing something for society and giving back is an innate instinct – I genuinely felt the need to be out there and do things. I just cannot see suffering. But, I’d be lying if I said my day isn’t exhausting… stretching from 7:00am to midnight, it’s a hectic daily schedule! I plan my day in advance, so I don’t wake up to wondering what to cook or what’s work engagements for the day. Right from working out, to my full-time job with Jiyo Parsi, to caring for my kids with online studies, to coming out with a story every week for GDP, and of course, spending quality time with family and friends – it’s all about managing your time well. It gets hectic, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!” says Pearl. Kudos to Pearl and all GDP volunteers and supporters for their efforts, and for setting the perfect precedent for all to follow!