Today, October 21, 2012 was just another Sunday - except it was my daughter, Aditi's birthday - and that made it very special!
I was planning to make it even more special (for last few weeks at least), and different than earlier birthday celebrations. Finally, hit upon Anatha Shishu Nivasa - a home for less-privileged.
Anatha Shishu Nivasa (http://asn.org.in/) is situated on the busy Bull-temple road, near BMS Engineering College, NR Colony. Started in 1942 by a few philanthrophists in a small way, it has grown to house 75 kids within its fold. It has its own premises, donated by Gov't and has some eminent persons on its governing council. The place is very tidy, with buildings containing 2 dormitory halls, dining, kitchen, store, study and library.
The kids here are either deserted at its premises, abandoned on the roads and referred to by Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Makkala Sahaya Vani (Child helpline). The children are given montessori coaching until 5 years and thereafter admitted to nearby schools (Acharya Pathashala, Mahila Mandali). Upon attaining 16~18 years, the girls are sent to a sister-agency, Abalashrama on DVG Road for training and accomodation, while male students are also encouraged for further studies, vocational training, etc.
They welcome donations in the form of cash or kind; while cash is most welcome, they do have restrictions for donations in kind (processed/prepared foods, chocolates, biscuits, personal feeding, used shoes/socks are not allowed).
It was by then lunch time, at 1 pm; all the kids brought their own washed plates & tumblers and sat on the mats laid down waiting for their turn to be served. Piping hot food, cooked in the kitchen nearby came - Kesari-bath, Rice, Sambar, Curds were served one after the other. The kids relished each item on the menu, with a prayer-song on their smiling lips and a glint in their eyes, without a murmur of dis-satisfaction.
They all sang birthday songs and thanked Aditi for the day's lunch.
We then returned home, with a heavy heart and teary eyes, content that it was time, effort and money well spent.
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A number of questions whized past me as I drove back home -
How many of us have a place of our own called home, with blood relations of various names
How we take life for granted, throw tantrums and get away ony because our loved ones bear
Do any of the kids know they do not have a family? Well, as I remember, they don't seem to care, as they appeared to be happy the way they are - each one of them from a 2 year old to a 16 year old; perhaps happier as they are part of a larger family with so many brothers and sisters, of so many age groups that a traditional family cannot boast of.
Still, they are expected to yearn, to become part of the societal system, a family with a father and a mother and a 'home'; as it may bring security, opportunity and a secure future. Well, it may. Whether it does nor not - I pray that each of the 75 bright kids grows into a fine adult and a responsible citizen.
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About 20 million kids in India are orphans, which is about 4% of the population - of which about 3.7% kids are abandoned by their parents, majority being girls. In 2011 about 6,500 kids were adopted, 5,900 of them found a home within India. That leaves the rest of the children at such orphanages and juvenile homes, trying to find a normal life and chart out a future of self-sufficiency.
Let us give... whatever we have and can.
Love, Time, Opportunity, etc, anything that we can give... least of all, at least money. We do not know what will be useful to the other.
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