by Anuradha Bakshi | Oct 5, 2007 | Uncategorized
Some of you may remember the story of a desperate mother of 8 children who lived on the edge. I guess everyone has her breaking point as last week she just took off abandoning her children. The humiliation and despair had reached the point of no return.
Her children are today left alone, the elder ones having become surrogate parents in the span of an instant. The philandering father occasionally drops in and leaves a few food items.
The younger ones come to our creche and when it is time to go home, they ask in their tiny voices whether they can not just stay back. The situation at home is pathetic: when we last visited the older boy (barely 8) had fallen asleep while the rice boiled and burnt.
Today we will try and work out a solution for thee poor kids who are suffering for no fault of theirs. But no long term solution can be sought without the accord of the father. As a first step we will try and get all the kids to the centre so that they can at least have one hot meal a day and medical care as some of them are sick. Then we will try and find a long term option.
Many questions come to mind each begging for an answer hard to come by. But what stands out is the harsh fact that children often or rather always bear the brunt of mistakes made by adults.
by Anuradha Bakshi | Oct 4, 2007 | women centre
It is the time of the year when in India we are meant to remember the dears ones that have left us and gone to another world. Normally people feed the poor or give alms; some have elaborate pujas (religious ceremonies). For a few years after the death of my parents I too made such offerings till the day I decided to break the mould and honour my parents in a different way. That is when project why began or rather the Trust in my father’s name.
Somehow mama got forgotten: papa had always been the flamboyant one as mama perfected the art of being almost invisible.
But life has its own ways and for the past few months my world has been filled by a plethora of incredible women and their lives that led to the setting up of the why women centre. Somehow it seemed destined that I dedicate this centre to Kamala who was an incredible woman who today dares me to jump without a parachute and see whether I have the wings to fly.
The why women centre is my offering to a very special mother.
by Anuradha Bakshi | Oct 3, 2007 | women centre
Amidst friendly quipping about choice of room and placement of things interspersed with exclamations of delight and horror so typical of women notwithstanding their age, the final shifting to our new premises was completed yesterday.
Things settled and work began in earnest this under the oft exasperated eye of Dharmendra the sole man and coordinator of the project. Fans were bought and fixed, plumber and electrician called and long ‘to do’ lists made.
A persusal of the pictures in the picture gallery vindicate the initial reaction of the women now in charge of their lives but the potential is great and a few coat of paint and some repairs are all that is required to make this a very special centre.
Unconcerned by appearance a bunch of eager eyed kids arrived soon after wanting to know what was going on. When we told them that this would be a children centre they broke into huge smiles asking us when they could start coming. And in true pwhy style my answer was: now! The now was maybe a tad Pollyannaish but I know that in a day or so a simple mat and few books and toys will be sufficient to begin classes.
There are many creases that still need to be ironed, but it was heartwarming to see that even in this new place the children had adopted us and that was all we needed to know that this centre will be another blessed one.
by Anuradha Bakshi | Oct 2, 2007 | girl child
V is a beautiful autistic girl. I knew her when she was just a child some 8 years ago when her shrill voice used to echo in my home when she and her parents came visiting. Her repetitive blabber and her endearing ways touched many a heart and I use to call her princess.
Then life took its turn and we lost touch though I often remembered the lovely child.
Yesterday her father called out of the blue and gave us the shocking news that V had a tumour and was to be operated upon this week. What was heart rendering was the love of this father, as he sat and leafed through the yellowed pages of his diary looking for the numbers of all those who at one time or another had touched V’s life. His message was simple: pray for her!
V’a parent’s are extraordinary. Both their children are autistic but they never let that come in the way of their love and pride. A beacon for all parents who have special children.
