VEDANTA KHUSHI - CHIRPING 'CHANCHAL'

Chanchal is a small child of about 6 years, the only child of a mother, who does house-hold work and a father, who is a driver. Chanchal one day came with her mother to the house as it was her school holiday and her father had also gone for duty. It was a first glance of Chanchal, a sharp, active, innocent girl who cannot control her talkative nature. While her mother made her sit at a corner and started doing the house-hold work, she constantly glued her eyes on television which was showing some bollywood numbers.  Her hands, legs and head were matching the rhythm of the songs and she was whispering the lyrics too.

Chanchal, an amazing childhood prodigy, capable of bringing smiles on any face. Her presence filled the entire house with energy.

After a few minutes Chanchal opened her bag she had brought with her and took out few story books. Surprized, the story books were in English. She sat with her books and started connecting words. One could easily sense that she was trying to connect to the story. The story book prominently marked ‘Panchantra’. I am sure she was not able to gather meaning of most of the words, but pictures were enough to make her narrate the story, herself.  Speaking to her, she told about all her school friends, about teachers and also how she has become the class monitor. ‘I control every one’ she said.

Chanchal was giving a lesson to all those who think the people who work in our houses do not have dreams. People who have ultimately compromised with their lives.

Her mother Anita informed that Chanchal is a sparkling child who has dream to become big and work in office and cannot see her mother working door to door. It was a touching moment. Chanchal is fond of English as someone told her that if you have to become big, you must learn how to read and speak English. Chanchal’s father regularly narrates a story in English to make her sleep. That’s how she remembers stories and narrates them with pictures.

Anita has aligned with dream of Chanchal. Both the parents are sending her to a private school and her scoring is better than all in the class. She participates in debates and sports. Anita has taught her to support cleanliness and hygiene. Right from brushing her teeth twice a day, one can easily note her tidy combed hair and clean dress.

I was happy to meet this little chirping Chanchal who made my day wonderful. 

Vedanta's "Khushi" campaign is all about seeing the smiling faces of children like 'Chanchal' who are determined to make a future for themselves and for their parents.