Children rode in 38 vintage cars from CRC to Anandaghar as the city stood together for HIV awareness and inclusion.
Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency, Kolkata, 30
November 2025: OFFER, a Kolkata-based NGO serving underprivileged and
HIV-affected children for over four decades, is soon opening a 100-bedded
hospital for marginalized children requiring long-term care. As part of the
lead-up to this hospital’s opening and in pre-observation of World AIDS Day,
OFFER in association with EIMG, organised Legacy on Wheels — a Vintage Car
Drive themed “Drive for Awareness.” This
year’s World AIDS Day slogan, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS
Response,” further underscored the purpose of the initiative. The event aimed
to raise awareness on HIV, road safety, and social inclusion, while
highlighting the organisation’s continued commitment to child welfare and
public health.
The event was flagged off by Uma Shankar,
IAS, Commissioner of State GST, Chandan Roychowdhury, Secretary, CRC, and
Subhajit Kumar, Secretary,EIMGwhose presence added support to the initiative.
Their participation reflected the concern for HIV awareness and the importance
of ensuring dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all children.
The morning witnessed a vibrant assembly of
34 vintage cars,and 4 vintage bikes, each representing a unique chapter of
Kolkata’s heritage. Adding a deeply emotional touch, every vintage car carried
children from CRC to Anandaghar, giving them a joyful experience and
symbolizing the central message of care, continuity, and shared responsibility.
Participants, supporters, and well-wishers gathered at the Calcutta Rowing Club
(CRC) to show solidarity for the cause. The convoy was flagged off from CRC and
made its way to Anandaghar Home, Sonarpur, symbolically connecting the city’s
legacy with OFFER’s mission of long-term care, protection, and empowerment of
children living with HIV. The drive brought together vintage car owners,
community leaders, partner organisations, and volunteers, turning the city’s
streets into a moving celebration of compassion, resilience, and collective
responsibility. The powerful visual of heritage cars escorting children to
Anandaghar stood as a reminder of what thoughtful care and community support
can achieve. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kallol Ghosh, Founder of OFFER,
said, “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. 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.” The initiative not only
amplified public awareness but also fostered a deeper understanding of the
challenges and possibilities associated with HIV care. As OFFER prepares to
open its 100-bedded hospital — a first-of-its-kind commitment to long-term pediatric
care — the rally marked a significant milestone, reinforcing Kolkata’s
collective commitment to building a future rooted in compassion, equality, and
hope.