A Ray of Hope

‘Fortune favors bold’ is sometimes not enough when one knows that circumstances in real sense is a hard-hitting job. But the hidden instinct always makes non possible things into doable. Prayas, a humanitarian and child-focused development organization with a vision to restore the lost childhood of neglected, street and working children and the marginalized, is supporting the Unbred souls and carving a niche.

“I was born and brought up here. My family (parents and grand parents) left Indra Nagar Colony, Murshidabad, West Bengal (India) close to Bangladesh in 1972 and came to Delhi. Viewing the serious condition of my family, I left my school and became a Rag-picker.” says Arjun.

The conditions of the family got worsen day by day. In the meanwhile, he came to know about Prayas.With its help; he learnt the art of Screen Printing and House wiring. This brought a little color to his family. By handling all twist and turns of his life, he completed his Graduation in Sociology (H) from Hindu College, Delhi University, New Delhi.

After doing a good job in Prayas Child-line (1098), Jehangirpuri, he was sent to Nabi Karim near New Delhi Railway Station, as an Assistant Social Worker in 2003.The circumstances never let his instincts down. With his hard work and determination and also with the financial assistance of Prayas, Arjun scored First Division in his Masters Degree from Indore School of Social Work. He participated in various co-curricular activities like (Skit, Mono acting, Chess and Volleyball) and won several prizes. Being honored with the Best Research Award in his Social Work course, he was then appointed as a counselor at Bavana (Prayas) in New Delhi, seven kilometers away to meet Haryana border, India.

At present, he is the Project Manager of Bavana Resettlement Colony at Bavana. He says, “Study compensates all the roughness. One should choose the line according to his own capability.” He too adds, “Addiction to drug is a crime. It ruins life and lands you nowhere.”

Indeed the story of Arjun is a fascinating one but only he knows what he had been through. The aid of Prayas has changed his life. This is not a single story at Prayas Institute of Juvenile Justice, near Batra Hospital, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi.

The other story too has a rousing significance. It is of a runaway child. Prayas gave a new meaning to his life. “I am very happy today. My salary has been increased to 4,500 per month. I am thankful to Prayas.” says Amod. He is now an employee, working as a Booth Incharge at New Delhi Railway Station. He works for Railway Prayas, Lahori Gate in New Delhi.

“Amod was 14, when he left home in Bhagalpur, Bihar, India. A Railway Prayas worker Vipin Kumar (also a Shelter Home Incharge) brought him to the Institute. After counseling, he was admitted to National Institute of Open School, New Delhi. At the age of 18, he was transferred to Long Stay Home and was kept under one year supervision (2007) to see the improvement. He worked well as an outreach worker and recently promoted to the post of Booth Incharge” says Kala Chand, an employee at Railway Prayas, who produces children to the Child Welfare Committee. It decides the need and kind of protection a child needs.

We see them roaming onto the streets, carrying bags, and sometimes with gestures to reach compassion from spectators. PVR Saket, Saket in New Delhi, brings maximum number of such cases in limelight, where street children steal money, purse, mobiles, and eatables of the visitors.

Sanjay, an Education Coordinator, at Prayas, says, “We had one centre at Saket but it was shut down on the notification of Delhi Metro Railway Corporation. Right now, we have 115 centers in and around Delhi. Each centre caters around 40 children from the age of 6 to 14 years. There are around ten Projects running successfully of which some are aided by the Government and Sponsored Agencies. Tech Mahindra is one such Project which provides funds for Mid-Day meal to the school-going children. Sometimes, the government aided fund reach late, which hinders the process. But duty is duty. We manage to overcome such situations so that it could not affect the planning.”

Children are the precious gift of nature. It is their sole right to study, play and live fully. But sometimes due to certain circumstances, they leave their childhood behind and start earning at an early age.Madhu, 10, says, “I don’t have my parents. I visit Connaught Place, New Delhi everyday. I share the eatables with my siblings and feel happy. But I could not send them to school. I earn just a sum of Rupees 30 to 40 per day.”

Pushpa, an Educator, at Railway Prayas, speaks, “Street children have an analytical approach for every question. Though they possess a sharp mind, they lack discipline and get irritated very easily. So they need to be handled carefully. It is not their fault.”

She also adds, “From time to time, we organize competitions to develop their interest. Twice a month, we take them to picnic. Recently we visited National Science Museum, where children had fun. It helps in developing their logical abilities. Prayas had organized a 1098 Tournament where Jehangirpuri Prayas was the winner. Deepu Sharma, 14, a shelter home child at Railway Prayas, Lahori Gate, says, “My dream is to become like Virendra Sehwag, an Indian Cricket Player. I want to play for my country.”

These children have all the immense qualities what a normal child has. All they need is care and support. Mrityunjaya, a Railway Prayas child, has scored Distinction in his High School Board Exam.Vijendra Singh, a Head Mohrer at Railway Police Force Cantonment, Lahori Gate proudly says, “It feels good because we can see the progress. The child with the support can reach higher. Prayas is doing a good job.”

Photo by - Prayas Institute.

Image 1- Amod(second from left) with the Railway Prayas group.

Image 2- Arjun as a Project Manager in his office.

Image 3- A child begging for his livelihood.