Celebs are making a beeline to Kolkata, a destination which is growing bigger on the poverty tourism map

Celebs are making a beeline to Kolkata, a destination which is growing bigger on the poverty tourism map

When Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan arrived at Kolkata's Sanlaap Centre in December 2009, she joined a long line of celebrities who have visited the city in their do-gooder avatars in the recent past. Kolkata has turned into India's poverty tourism hub, with a celeb or three leading a pack of Western visitors to it every year.

South African adventurer
Mike Horn on a recent visit to Udayan, an NGO

While Kolkata's NGOs seem to have a way with celebs, some organisations are shy of approaching the rich and famous for their causes. "Lindsay Lohan came calling when she was doing a documentary on human trafficking with the BBC which brought her here. We have never invited a celebrity to visit us, though some, like actress Sushmita Sen, have come on their own," says Indrani Sinha, founder-director of 27 year-old NGO Sanlaap Centre that works for women affected by trafficking.

Her words are echoed by Probhakar Mondal, general manager, Sabera Foundation, an organisation for abandoned women and children. "While we have had celebrity visitors, they have come because they support our cause. Sabera was founded by Spanish musician Nacho Cano and has had the support of Spanish actress Penelope Cruz, among others. Ricky Martin comes here because he is keen on participating in our activities," he says.u00a0

Celebrity patronage, however, is welcomed by most as a means of generating international awareness. This has driven some of Kolkata's Good Samaritans to woo them on occasion. "They are powerful people, after all. I met Waugh in Kolkata in 1998 after I read about his philanthropic interests in a newspaper interview. He visited Udayan with me and chose to be a patron, raising funds and garnering support for children from leper colonies," says Shamlu Dudeja of Udayan, an NGO that has also received generous backing from author Dominique Lapierre since 1982.

Udayan recently had a visit from celebrated South African adventurer Mike Horn, who has been invited to pep up the Indian cricket team.

While Geeta Vankadakrishnan of the Hope Kolkata Foundation agrees that the association with Miss Universe Ireland 2005 Mary Gormley has helped in getting funds from that country, she adds, "Funds are never easy to come by, even with celebrity support".

Sinha admits that a pop idol or a movie star can promote a cause in a manner no one else can. "Lindsay Lohan's film is expected to create interest in our activities."
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Celebrities across the globe make a beeline to work with Kolkata's NGOs

However, she is sceptical about how meaningful the awareness will turn out to be for Sanlaap. Celebrity visits have ensured a steady flow of overseas guests to the city's NGOs. Students and social workers come regularly.

"We have about 20 student interns from foreign universities every year," says Sinha. "Sabera also has international visitors who donate generously towards our activities," says Mondal. Vankadakrishnan reports visits from foreigners who make monetary contributions for their hospital.

Clearly, Kolkata now has more to offer to the poverty tourist than just The Missionaries of Charity.

Aussie do-gooders
Former Australian bowler Shane Warne started the Shane Warne Foundation, which seeks to monetarily help underprivileged and ill children in Australia. His brother, Jason Warne, recently came on board the foundation as general manager.