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Milestones

1979

Rippan Kapur and six friends raise Rs. 50/- and register CRY as an Indian Charitable Trust.
"Buy a Brick, Build a School", CRY's first event, sensitises privileged school children, even as it raises funds for underprivileged children.
Rs. 1,14,000/- is raised for Shilpalaya Technical Institute, which focuses on vocational training and foster care.

1980

Cards Division starts operations. Sells 30,000 CRY Greeting Cards, based on two designs by Sanat Surti, a well-known artist and illustrator.

1981

Nirmala is hired as CRY's first employee and works from Rippan's mother's dining table which was the "office."
Access to free and quality education becomes CRY's main focus in its partnership with projects.
Parisar Asha, CRY's first long-term education project, takes off. Its emphasis is on environmental education.
Three clowns from London stage a traveling fund-raising show, Circus Magic, entertaining poor children through workshops, while raising funds.

1982

Amita Kapur starts CRY's Delhi office in her house.
Mumbai (then Bombay) office moves to Rippan's new house.

1983

Mumbai (then Bombay) office moves out of Rippan's house, to Akash Ganga donated by the Society's Trust to CRY, free of cost.
Card production stops because of new Income Tax Laws prohibiting trusts from running business activities.
Children's Day with M F Hussain sees the celebrated artist painting in the company of 1,000 children. It is CRY's third fund-raising event.
Focus widens to include education, health and family planning.

1984

Income tax laws change and production of CRY cards resumes.
Education Sponsorship Scheme is introduced. For just Rs. 10, any concerned individual can now get involved in CRY's work.

1985

The first CRY desk calendar is launched, with contemporary Indian art as the theme - Indian artists contribute their works towards it.
The first CRY audio-visual is screened at associations and schools.
CRY's first involvement with mothers (CRY believes that mothers must be empowered to bring up their children as responsible human beings).

1986

Regina Thomas starts Bangalore office in her home. CRY starts funding 3 projects in Bangalore.
Contemporary tantric paintings form the theme of CRY's first wall calendar.
The Mumbai (then Bombay) office moves to a room in the house of Sylla Vatcha, a steadfast CRY friend.
School-to-School Programme is introduced to sensitise affluent children to the needs of the less fortunate. One boy sends his earnings, made from teaching origami, to CRY.

1987

We take our first steps to corporatisation by setting up a corpus. It is a major step for an organisation that started with
Rs. 50.
Corporate contribution scheme is introduced so that companies can make donations to CRY's Corpus.
Vanita Malhotra starts Chennai (then Madras) branch at her house.
Malini starts Kolkata (then Calcutta) branch at her residence.
Bombay office moves to the Sreenivas Mills godown in Lower Parel.
"Art for CRY" - the idea to hold an exhibition and sale of art begins to take form. The artist community responds overwhelmingly.

1988

"Art for CRY" launched and creates a national impact. 144 artists donate 180 pieces of work. Companies, both big and small, sponsor advertisements in publications. The Tata Group underwrites the expenses.This event marks CRY's 10th anniversary. Travels to Mumbai (then Bombay), Delhi, Kolkata (then Calcutta) and Bangalore.
Sreenivas Mills' godown closes down. The Mumbai (then Bombay) office returns to Sylla Vatcha's garage.

1989

Project Support Unit expands to Multi Assistance Resource Centre (MARC), going beyond funding to non-financial support.
Focus broadens to encompass community development.
Ford Foundation agrees to cover the cost of salaries for 3 years.
Planning and budgeting are introduced with quarterly reviews.
Computerisation gets underway.
CRY in Action, our newsletter, is launched.
The search begins, for a permanent office in Mumbai (then Bombay).
Bangalore office moves to Cox Town.

1990

Mumbai (then Bombay) office acquires a permanent home at Mahalaxmi.
Expansion of product range begins. CRY cards are available in cities with CRY offices.
The first training workshop is conducted for teachers of CRY-supported projects in Maharashtra.
The first export order comes in from Gallerie Lafayette, Paris, the biggest department store chain in France.
Delhi office moves to DDA Slum Wing in Kotla Mubarakpur.
The Youth Wing, another division is launched to tap the potential of young Indians.

1991

Materials Bank is set up at the Delhi office to collect contributions in kind for project requirements.
Donation boxes are introduced for fundraising.

1992

Bal Dhamaal Schools Awareness Programme is held in 120 schools in Bombay. A photography workshop is conducted for 40 slum children.
Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and Ustad Zakir Hussein perform for CRY in Chennai (then Madras).

1993

Riots in Mumbai (then Bombay). CRY participates in riot relief.
"Bal Sawaal", a travelling festival of hope, is held in Mumbai (then Bombay) over three weekends. Thirty prominent music and dance artists participate. Activities for children include painting a BEST bus. The Tata Group sponsors the event.
Direct Mail Cell starts operations in Delhi with support from NORAD and the Stromme Memorial Foundation, Norway.
"Childwatch", our first media awareness project, is launched at a national level.
CRY Happy Childhood Series of children's products is launched for privileged children. A range of products is developed for underprivileged children.
Fellowship Programme launched in Bangalore, with five new fellows.
Scope of activities broadens to include underprivileged disabled children and disaster victims.

1994

Rippan Kapur, CRY's Founder, passes away on April 10.
13 more Fellows are taken on under the CRY Rippan Kapur Fellowship Programme.
The first exclusive range of cards, made of 100% recyclable eco-friendly paper, is launched.
Synergos Foundation, USA, selects CRY as one of eight organisations worldwide to be part of a case study project on successful foundation building.
"Art for CRY" is staged again to commemorate CRY's 15th anniversary and also to pay tribute to Rippan Kapur. An exhibition of child art from CRY-supported projects is a special feature.
"Remembering Rippan," the book and film, are launched as tributes to Rippan Kapur.
Human Resources division kicks off.
Central Government awards CRY 100% tax deductable status.

1995

Outreach programme extends to Gujarat, M.P. and Kerala, and to include issues like child sexual abuse and child prostitution.
Year long evaluation of the Programme Support (then MARC) division commences. Five aspects are examined: the child and community; project partners and fellows; the national scenario; CRY's Programme Support Division; CRY's role, policies and system.
Six CRY commercials, produced gratis by Whitelight Moving Picture Co., are aired on satellite channels. Responses pour in from all over Asia.
The Free-a-Child Movement is launched. People participate by signing a pledge to fight for children's rights and by sharing their resources.

1996

Direct intervention in the Melghat region of Maharashtra where severe malnutrition resulted in widespread deaths of children. Two CRY partners in the region extend their scope of work to include the severely affected areas. CRY coordinates the work at the field level and provides financial support.
The International Cell, based in Delhi, kicks off. It objective - to motivate non-resident Indians (NRIs) to take action for underprivileged Indian children.
A website (http://www.cry.org/) is developed and hosted by volunteers, giving CRY an online presence. E-mail a Card is an instant hit.
On January 28, CRY Day, Balaji (a CRY Chennai employee) and Vasu (who works with Air India) start a two-month long journey across India to create awareness about the plight of India's vulnerable children. They cycle through several states, finally reaching New Delhi.
Bol Jamoore, a National Street Theatre Festival organised by CRY, sees 23 street theatre groups from all over India stage plays on corruption, child labour, and the girl child.

1997

Pratham, a Mumbai-based NGO, launches the "Voice of India - Say Yes to Education" campaign to propose a constitutional amendment guarantying free and compulsory education to all citizens between the age of six and fourteen by the State. CRY supports the campaign.
CRY supports Voice of Partners, a representation of NGOs, social activists, academicians, lawyers, journalists and the All India Trade Union Congress, working towards holistically addressing the problems faced by child labourers in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
The Policy and Research Cell of CRY starts up to handle policy analysis, research, documentation and government interface.
CRY and Naujawan-E-Hind, a street theatre group in Mumbai, jointly organise Bol Jamoore, a street theatre festival in Mumbai and Bangalore, to use street theatre to highlight crucial social issues.
Yuvak Biradiri, an NGO working with youth-related issues, organises the Azad Bharat Rail Yatra, a train journey that takes children, both privileged and underprivileged, through 22 destinations across India. The objective is to help youth envisage what the next 25 years will bring for India and their role in shaping events.
Ford Foundation gives CRY an endowment grant of Rs 100 lakh, the interest to be used towards the operating costs of the non-profit divisions.
The Sir Ratan Tata Trust contributes Rs. 100 lakhs to CRY's corpus.

1998

CRY joins The National Alliance for Education, a strategic alliance to ensure accessibility of quality education for all children.
Storm Smith and Rory Jeffes fly two Microlight aircraft from Bangalore to the famous Farnborough Airshow in London in a span of 28 days, raising Rs. 75 lakh for underprivileged Indian children and forming the "Titan-CRY Education Fund".
The Citibank-CRY Affinity credit card is launched on November 14th, Children's Day.
Pervin Varma appointed Director of CRY. Pervin was one of the first members of the Management Committee that ensured CRY's work continued after Rippan's death.
Release of The Indian Child book. It is a compilation of articles, facts, figures and help lines for children, with a focus on child rights and the status of children in India.
FACT '98 (Free-a-child today), CRY's first corporate quiz, is organised by CRY's Bangalore volunteer group, Friends of CRY. The quiz raises funds for the education and health care of 100 children for a year. And goes on to become an annual event.

1999

The Orissa cyclone creates havoc and hardship. Although disaster relief is not CRY's core area of expertise, an emergency initiative is taken to rehabilitate the eight CRY projects devastated by the cyclone.
As part of its efforts to mobilise public opinion for child rights, CRY initiates the debate for development of a draft adoption bill in co-operation with Coordination Agency for the Regulation of Adoption (CARA).
Implementation of a three-way partnership between the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, a corporate partner and an NGO in two of Delhi's juvenile homes.
FACT '99 (Free-a-child today), the inter-corporate quiz, extended to New Delhi.

2000

Accounting period changed from April-March to July-June, thus giving CRY the space to review and plan its committments for the following year
National Alliance for the Fundamental Right to Education (NAFRE) founded by CRY, Pratham, the National Foundation of India, the National Law School of India, UNICEF, the Aga Khan Foundation and Save the Children Foundation (UK). The alliance advocates free and compulsory education up to the high school level.
FACT 2000 (Free-a-child today) held in Mumbai for the first time. CRY Delhi also organises a FACT (Free-a-child today) inter-school quiz.

2001

A strategic partnership, with Archies Greetings and Gifts, to outsource manufacture and retailing of CRY products, augments CRY's reach and market share.
Resource mobilisation operations in Kolkata and Chennai are consolidated in Delhi and Bangalore respectively.
Voluntary Retirement Scheme sees employee strength going down by almost a third.
CRY-supported projects in Gujarat provide relief and rehabilitation support to those affected by the devastating earthquake of January 26.
FACT 2001 (Free-a-child today), continues to raise resources for CRY-supported initiatives even as it creates awareness about the situation of underprivileged children in India. The event is extended to Kolkata.

2002

The Social Justice & Empowerment Ministry adopted CRY's Activity Centre model for disaster relief in Gujarat after the earthquake.
CRY participates in the UN General Assembly's Special Session for Children.
CRY's Website (http://www.cry.org/) is revamped and re-engineered to be more user-friendly and interactive. Online payment gateway was introduced thus enabling any individual across the globe to contribute to click with a click of the mouse
Face-to face marketing is introduced as a new channel for CRY to reach out to individuals. This helps reduce the cost of raising funds from first time donors.
FACT 2002 (Free-a-child today), held in 5 cities, raises more than Rs. 14 lakhs for CRY.
The Citibank relationship was expanded. Under Citibank's Citi Junior Account programme, CRY gets a contribution each time a Citibank customer opens an account for their child.

2003

A ghazal concert with Padma Bhusan Sri Jagjit Singh, held in Mumbai raising approximately Rs.2.5 lakhs.
The 3rd CRY Cadence Corporate Cricket Challenge held in Delhi with 24 corporate teams competing against each other raising Rs. 20.25 lakhs for CRY.
FACT 2003 (Free-A-Child Today) goes National with Maruti Suzuki as the lifetime sponsor and renowned Quiz master Derek O'Brien conducting the quiz. Regional winners from the 5 metros, meet at the national finals in Delhi.
CRY-Child Relief and You America Inc. launched in September 2003. CRY America is the sole representative of the CRY brand and license in USA
CRY launched a site for children called CRYBuddies, to make children aware of the millions of children who are just like them with hopes and aspirations but do not have the opportunity to realize their dreams. CRY hopes that CRYBuddies will help children be more conscious of their environment so that they grow up to be socially responsible and most importantly, to care.

2004

CRY celebrates its 25th year on 26.1.2004.
On this occasion CRY initiates a citizen's movement to restore the rights of children. Starting with the launch of an Election Advocacy Campaign to create awareness on child rights. A Children's Manifesto was developed and CRY met with various political parties to ensure it was included in their party manifestos. Apart from physically reaching out to people, a micro-website was also launched to get people to participate in ensuring the children's manifesto is given priority.
CRY introduces its symbol, the pinwheel called the 'Free-a-Child Chakri', to represent freedom for India's children.
To commemorate CRY's silver jubilee year, Ace Jewels India brings out pinwheel jewelry - earrings and a pendant. A percentage of the sale will be contributed to CRY.
CRY is invited to present at the House of Lords, London. A presentation titled "The Impact of Globalisation on Child Rights in India". This unique opportunity was facilitated for CRY by Lord Dholakia.
The 4th CRY Cadence Corporate Cricket Challenge held in Delhi and Chandigarh along with a community-giving scheme by Cadence Design Systems called "Spirit of Stars & Strikes" raising nearly Rs. 40 lakhs for CRY.
"Baal Taal", a concert in aid of CRY by Ustad Zakir Hussain accompanied by Fazal Qureshi, brothers U. Shrinivas and U. Rajesh on the Mandolin, Kanjira player Selva Ganesh and Ranjit Barot on the drums enthralled audiences in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.
FACT 2004 (Free-a-child today), the annual corporate quiz organized by CRY continues with teams participating across 6 cities in India. The event is extended to Hyderabad.

2005

Like the rest of the world, CRY's NGO partners and the communities in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh felt the worst impact of the tsunami and its after-effects. CRY's Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitation Programme reached out to 2000 children in tsunami affected areas, ensuring them their right to a childhood.
Nabadisha - a unique programme for street and slum children, was initiated by Vikramshila Education Resource Society in partnership with CRY and the Kolkata Police. It brought children residing in crime prone areas in and around Kolkata into the societal mainstream by giving them the opportunity for quality education.
CRY spread the message of Child Rights to almost 42 million homes in India on 26th January, 2005, Republic Day, through a seven hour 'CRY Telethon' on Sony TV. It was India's first ever, interactive social responsibility show wherein celebrities & personalities from different fields appealed to audiences to contribute time or money towards changing children's lives.
"Mera Bhi To Adhikaar Hai" of the music album 'Ashawali Dhoop' was composed by Aadesh Shrivastava, lyrics by Javed Aktar and sung by leading singers of the industry along with their children. Free Spirit Entertainment also generated funds and widespread awareness on the situation of children and their rights.
CRY-Titan Industries Ltd. initiated an 'About Time' campaign by developing 2 watch designs for gents & ladies with the Free A Chakri, pinwheel while Ace Jewels partnered CRY by designing an unique pendant and earring set inspired by the same unit. Archies partnered CRY in developing silicon CRY Wrist Bands with text on it -"I must, so they can". Proceeds from the sale of these products were contributed to CRY.
The Youth team made a shift in its focus. Their aim is to institutionalize child rights and spread awareness on "all children are equal and have equal rights".
CRY's Volunteer Action division piloted the Citizen's Action Groups (CAG) a community movement for children to ensure that all children in the neighborhood enjoy their basic right to childhood in 4 cities - Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.
Free-A-Child Today(FACT 2005) our annual inter-corporate quiz, was held successfully for the 7th year in seven cities - Kolkatta, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hydereabad, Mumbai and Pune and culminated in the national finals in Delhi on October 28, 2005.
National Consultation on "Justice for Children" was held on November 13-15, 2005 at Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi. This consultation was an attempt at engaging with different segments of society - NGOs, activists, political leaders, academics, judiciary, media, health professionals and the corporate sector, towards jointly ensuring a more just world for Indian children.
The torrential rains and floods that hit Maharashtra on July 26 saw CRY coordinate its efforts with its NGO partners, like-minded organisations & the state & Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). This ensured that over 38,500 families received their share of free rations announced by the state and more critically, without investing a single rupee in direct relief or State Relief support, CRY was able to channelise Rs. 1.15 crores to the flood affected families of Mumbai.
Procter and Gamble - CRY partnership called "Project Shiksha - education as a right of every child", was promoted through celebrity endorsements, national and regional TV media.0.50 ps on the sale of every large pack of Tide, Ariel, Vicks, Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Rejoice and Pampers for 3 months was donated to CRY, making a total of Rs.1.26 crores which will be utilized towards 10 CRY initiatives across the country.

2006

CRY is now CHILD RIGHTS and YOU.
Through a 'Sansad Gherao Abhiyan' (protest at the parliament), people mobilized by CRY present a charter of demands, seeking pro-child rights changes in State Policies, to the government.
AT the UNCRC, Geneva CRY participates in 'the general discussion on Children without Parental Care'. These insights were incorporated in a paper submitted to the commission.
The Campaign for Equity and Equality in Tsunami Rehabilitation (CEETR) was launched in 13 districts of Tamil Nadu.
CRY launches the first National Child Rights Research Fellowship to encourage Indian people wanting to explore in some depth the question of "what is in the best interest of children". The fellowship has attracted over 325applicants, may belonging to the marginalized communities CRY works to empower.

2007

CEETR embarked on a 'Padayatra' (rally on foot) to bring to the forefront the issue of the affected communities. Over 43 days, moving from village to village along the coast from Kanyakumari to Chennai, the 'Padayatra' mobilized more than 10,000 people to participate in the meetings to protest the unjust rehabilitation programmes and non-responsive bureaucracy.
'A Poem for CRY' is launched with support from various celebrities and noted personalities who contributed their favourite poem to be published in the book. Printed by Penguin India, the book was the brain child of Avanti Maluste and Sudeep Doshi.
'Race for CRY', a virtual marathon is launched on the internet for 3 months to create awareness on Child Rights and raise resources for CRY. A web-based game it attracted over 5000 participants who either played the game or referred it to their friends.
Volunteer Action makes a shift in its approach by deciding to engage volunteers in activities that help both, them and the public at large, in understanding the root causes of social issues. This moved away from the previous approach of involving volunteers mainly in fundraising efforts.

2008

CRY partners NAFRE Jan Andolan in the Jan Haq Yatra - traversing 210,000 km over 2 months, amplifying the Voice of the 15 lakh People across 16 states demanding change at the grassroots.
CRY wins in the Large NGO category at Indian NGO awards 2007 after a thorough process of evaluation, field visits and multilevel audits.
Child Rights and You UK Limited is formally registered in the UK
CRYBuddies (http://www.crybuddies.cry.org/), a virtual space for children to listen, talk and interact is launched.

2009

CRY launches a signature campaign to demand changes for equal and quality education for all children in India. 'Sabko Shiksha, Samaan Shiksha' reaches out to local communities across urban and rural India as well as people overseas to gather more than 7.7 lakh signatures. The charter of demands along with the signatures is submitted to the Honourable President of India, Pratibha Patil.
P&G makes the largest ever corporate grant of Rs. 3 crores to us under Project Shiksha
Volunteer Action strengthens its partnership with the public through its 'Public Action Groups', 'College Collectives' and 'Networks' of professionals. Campaigns on the Right to Education, for the Rights of Tea garden workers and their children and against Child Labour were carried forward by volunteers in various cities across India.
The CRY Shop is rebranded as CRY World - a space to see, know and do what's right for India's children, especially the marginalised.