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The Indian version of the famed ‘Ice bucket challenge,’ the ‘rice bucket challenge,’ is the new buzz at the Manipal education campus here. It all started with School of Communication student, Grandhi Srinija, who got inspired by the rice bucket challenge launched by Manju Latha Kalanidhi of Hyderabad kick starting the challenge in Manipal campus.

Soon it went viral and many of her friends and teachers enthusiastically came forward to accept the challenge and throwing challenges to others.

Rather than the publicity blitzkrieg of ice bucket challenge, the noble cause of the rice bucket challege has inspired the students. “As I did not like the idea of dumping ice water on heads as I feel it is a wastage of water, I thought the rice bucket challenge is more worthy one where we feed the hungry people. So I initiated it in Manipal,” Srinija told Deccan Herald.

“Soon I saw the post by Manju Latha, I posted it on my Facebook timeline in support to her initiative and thereby I got positive response. My junior Ayushi Jain shared my status as she also found the idea of donating rice to the needy a great one. She and her friend Bhuma Meghana were really excited to join the initiative. Their challenge was accepted by other friends and it went viral,” an elated Srinija said.

Adithya Raj Bishan, a fourth year student of Manipal Institute of Technology, took up the challenge by donating rice to a family whose members sole survival is from the small footwear shop on road in Udupi since 14 years. Subsequently, Bishan challenged three of his friends to forward the initiative.

A lecturer, Nivedita Ramesh of Manipal Institute of  Technology has taken up the challenge of donating rice to the needy and throwing challenges to do the same. The first year communication students, Karthik Vasan and Soham are going to take this challenge.

Srinija adds, “I felt really happy when this went successful with my two juniors. Even though I haven’t challenged many because, the thought of helping or serving is something which should come out from our hearts. I hope the idea of charity, serving needy rises in everyone’s heart to continue the good cause,” she said.

To find the needy people, the students first searched in Manipal and Udupi. Ayushi Jain found a old labourer, but still sweating for his family. She has donated 3 kilos of rice to him. Bhuma Meghana found a flower merchant who is 65 years old and has been struggling for his family.

“I have donated to the Dalitpeople near Udupi bus stop who repairs footwear sitting, even in rainy days,” Srinija said.

Another student, Soham found it as a good cause and felt people should come forward in large number to donate a bucket of rice to the needy.

Rice bucket challenge

Inspired by Ice Bucket Challenge to spread awareness about the disease ALS, Hyderabad-based Manju Latha Kalanidhi came up with an ingenious way to help those in need with the Rice Bucket Challenge. In this challenge, one need to cook or buy a bucket of rice and offer it to the needy.

 Just like the ALS ice bucket challenge, one should use the hash tag, #RiceBucketChallenge and challenge their friends to take it forward. This Indian version has created quite a stir online and participants are already posting their pictures to spread this new message.