NGO Name: Drop Dead Foundation
Issue: 650 million liters of water lost every day in the metropolis because of leaking pipes. He wanted to fix this leaking pipes and save water.
What he do?
Repairs minor plumbing problems such as
leaks in the households of Mumbai, India for free.
Story behind the NGO: In 2007, Aabid launched Drop Dead Foundation after a leaking faucet
at a friend’s house bothered him so much and caused an epiphany. Since
then, Aabid’s Drop Dead team (consisting of a plumber, a volunteer, and
Aabid himself) makes the rounds every Sunday fixing plumbing leaks in
the Mira Road suburb where he lives. Today, Drop Dead Foundation
continues to provide free plumbing services to Mumbai households.
“I hired a plumber and approached people living in different housing
societies to let me inspect their taps. I offered to fix the taps for
free. Initially, people were skeptical because they have never
encountered a stranger promising to fix their taps and that too free of
cost. Later as word spread, I was welcomed to most homes. Now I have a
volunteer who accompanies me and my plumber. Every Sunday morning, we
visit various buildings in Mira Road. In the first year, February 2007
to February 2008, I covered over 1,600 households. Over the years I have
saved 6 million litres of the precious liquid,” said Abdi.
Name: Aabid Surti
Address: C-16 / 003, Anuroop, Shantinagar Sector: 11, Mira Road ( E )
Mumbai: 401 107. (India)
Mobile: +91-9820184964
E-mail: aabidssurti@gmail.com
Website: http://ddfmumbai.com/
Born: 5 May 1935
Place: Gujarat
Education: Diploma in Arts from Sir
J. J. Institute of Fine Art (1960)
Book Published: Published his first novel
Tootela Farishta (Fallen Angels) in Gujarati (1965). Since then, Aabid
has written a number of short stories, novels, plays, children’s books,
comic books, and travelogues. In 1993, he won a National Award for his
short-story collection Teesri Aankh.
Awards:
‘Amazing Mumbaikar Award’ by Rotarians Rotary Club of Mumbai Dahisar.
News:
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-meet-mumbai-s-aabid-surti-who-tackled-water-wastage-drip-by-drip-1998083