Celebrating the new year differently! My wife and self had gone to Mumbai to celebrate the new year with our daughter who is working there as a lawyer. It is 31st December evening ( 8 pm), and we as a family, are having a walk on the Carter road. There are dozens of people, walking and enjoying the sea view. We can also see some people playing on the carom board, some walking their pets, and ‘love birds’ sitting away in isolation, closer to the sea. Every one in his own world. We suddenly see nearly 25 to 30 children, all around 08 to 15 years old, happily enjoying, with a lady sitting in the centre, and distributing food to them. I ask my daughter , “ Anusha, what is it?”. She explains, “ Papa, these are slum children. This lady comes daily in the morning and evening, and brings food for them. She also helps them to complete their home work, as they are asked to bring their school books along”. I find it very interesting and decide to get closer. As I approach the children, a boy comes running to me and says, “ Sir, today is my birthday”. I ask his name, and he smartly replies “ Sahil”. He is a student of class 5th, in St Anne’s school. I wish him a happy birthday. Soon, the other children have also come around, all of them neatly dressed, and happy. I go to the lady and introduce my self. She is delighted that we have come all the way from Ambala to spend the new year with our daughter. I inquire about these children and her work. The lady I am talking to is Mira, who is Trustee of a Foundation. It helps these children who all belong to slums, and poor families. The organisation helps them to attend a good schools, free of cost. She also brings food from her own home, as also collects from the donors, and brings it here every morning and evening. After distributing food/ snacks ,to these children, they all sit down, on the side of the road. Then it is a study period of about an hour, where Mira helps them with their home work etc. It helps the children to remain interested in their school, as also get to eat healthy food. They also interact, and learn good manners. The children are confident, keen, and speak well , and also listen. There are a number of girls amongst these children. No wonder, Reema , with her twinkling eyes, tells my wife, who easily connects to them being a teacher herself, “ Ma’m, I also want to become a teacher”. We feel so happy being with these lovely, energetic children that we spend good part of our evening with them. You got to see their joy as we mingle around with them. We feel blessed by these angels of God. As a family, we couldn’t have asked for a better new year gift.
Posted on: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 11:54:41 +0000
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