Vedanta Khushi : The Little Sparrows of Vedanta “Khushi”

With 75 Vedanta Khushi child care centres across India, Vedanta’s company in Rajasthan, Hindustan Zinc and Vedanta foundation adopts 3055 Anganwadis to provide nutrition-health-education to underprivileged children

You visit any of the 75 across India spread Vedanta “Khushi” centres and you will find many stories surrounding the deprived children, who are given daily three meals, uniform, drinking water, books, utensils, toys and colourful posters to enjoy the education through play-way method.

Where Radha takes-out groundnuts from her ‘breakfast poha’, to eat it later, Billu likes playing with the ‘puppets’. Some children play with blocks and some like swings. Every morning their day starts with the prayer and follows with joyful classes. Ask them to sit for breakfast or for lunch without washing hands, and they would refuse. Hygiene has been imbedded in their course-curriculum.  

Care for the underprivileged children is very close to the heart of Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Group. “No child in India should remain malnourished and be deprived of nutrition, health and primary education” is what he has envisaged. “Make India a child-malnourished free nation” is what he wants to see. In this process Vedanta initiated adoption of government run Anganwadis in the year 2008. The intervention was for a limited period, benefiting children in age-group of 0-6 years.

A country that has the highest number of malnourished children in the world and also accounts for largest child deaths, the private sector intervention, under public-private-partnership model, becomes significant.

Recently, Vedanta Foundation, Hindustan Zinc and Government of Rajasthan signed a 5 years MoU for the adoption of 3055 Anganwadis in Rajasthan. Rajasthan Government has a strong focus on child care and under this MoU, Vedanta Foundation and Hindustan Zinc would also develop 1000 Anganwadis into model Anganwadis. Besides regular facilities to all the 3055 Anganwadis, like books, toys, drinking water, mats, utensils, etc., the 1000 Anganwadis will see strengthening of infrastructure, child-friendly toilets, colourful walls, smokeless chulah to name a few.

200 Anganwadis will see facelift every year so as to complete the project in 5 years. The company has deputed coordinators, supervisors and senior-supervisors to ensure smooth functioning of the Vedanta “Khushi” centres and adopted Anganwadis.

As per the guidelines of World Health Organization, all the selected 3055 Anganwadis will have digital weighing scale to keep record of growth of children. Special emphasis has been given to health & hygiene and monitoring of weight of these children.

Pavan Kaushik, Head of Corporate Communication (Hindustan Zinc), said - “taking care of the underprovided children, their nutrition, health and primary education, is an agenda Company has been following for almost 7 years. We are also grateful to Government of Rajasthan for signing a MoU in this regard under the PPP Model. This joint effort is expected to benefit about 90,000 children every year. Besides providing the necessary colourful books, toys and other material in Anganwadis, our focus is also to provide requisite orientation and training to the Anganwadi workers in the adopted Anganwadis.”

On one hand when Vedanta has gone yet again for the adoption of Anganwadis, its campaign “Khushi” has been tirelessly spreading the message of child-care. The message on social media has large followers and runs a blog that has 1.5 million page views. Several debates on child-care issues have been undertaken by “Khushi” that had given some logical conclusion.  It was in a debate in Vedanta “Khushi” that had brought focus on adoption of government schools to improve infrastructure so that more and more rural children are inclined to go to school. As a result, Hindustan Zinc adopted 150 schools to improve their infrastructure and has also signed a MoU with Rajasthan Government to construct toilets in over 600 schools in Rajasthan.

Vedanta Khushi : Video Launch

Dear all,

Watch the latest video of Vedanta Khushi 

Vedanta “KHUSHI” – "My Laptop Brother"

Pragati Pandey is an active member of Vedanta's "Khushi" campaign.  She shares her experience of her contribution towards care for the underprivileged children. A heart touching story that I am sure would motivate many.

Pragati Pandey : "My Laptop Brother"

I recall my college days when every evening I used to travel by Delhi Metro to Mandi House, near Connaught Place, for attending classes.

While going to college by Metro Station I used to every day see a Boy around 11-12 years of age, wearing old but neat clothes, selling packets of Chips and Namkeen.  Perhaps this was his only source of income for his daily livelihood. He would run to people to sell his packets. By the end of a day, he could manage to sell almost all his packets and leave for his home, which I realized must be nearby. I could see him only in the evening hours, and not during the day.

On the face of it, the child looked bright and my curiosity to know and help him grew. It is not that I was seeing such children for the first time, but some times, your heart gets stuck to some one who looks special to you. I decided that I would speak to him.

Coming for my classes I decided to skip one day and waited for him.  He came as usual with 30-40 packets in his bag running around to people to sell.  I stopped him and told him that I wanted to speak to him.  He was in a hurry as I was only wasting his time. I persuaded him that I would buy his 5 packets if he listens to me for 5 minutes.  He stopped.

His name was "Azad" a 12 year old boy, a very neat and tidy boy with good manners. I asked him, since how long you have been selling these packets. He said " for last 2 years". And Why dont you go to school instead of wasting your time here ?, I asked. Azad looked at me as if I should have checked my words. He said, " who told you that I dont go to school ?" "I go to school every day and I am a bright student". I was shocked to hear his reply. I asked him again " so why this running around after people to sell the packets".  Didi, Azad replied, "my school is during day time. I need to buy new books and other stationary items like other friends have.  I also want to learn computers so that when my computer classes start, I am not left behind". But there is a problem, he said. I asked him, "what is the problem". Azad said, "my father's income is not much.  earlier I was the only child now I have 2 more siblings. Their expenditure does not allow my father to spend more money on me any more. So I decided, I would meet my expenditure myself", Azad proudly said.

His ego and attitude impressed me.  I reluctantly offered a help to him. "Azad, would you be fine, if I spend 20 minutes with you daily to teach you computers on my lap top".  I informed him that I have my classes and I come everyday.  Ill come 30 minutes before every day and spend about 20 minutes with you teaching computers and also solve any other education problem."

Azad looked at me and asked, "Why do you want to help me Didi". I could not stop my tears. People dont expect anyone coming for a help forward. "I said, if I had a brother like you, would I not help him." I told him that I am a member of Vedanta's "Khushi" campaign and we try to help children like you in what ever way we can.  Azad agreed to my request and the "Khushi" on his face was evident. He was happy.  His skills of learning impressed me further. I teased him by calling "My Laptop Brother".

Days passed, and we continued to learn together. He learned basics in computers from and resolved his English subject problems. And I learned from Azad, a sprit to fight against odds.

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Vedanta Khushi - School Books at Rs. 10 a KG

Every morning Rajesh would travel to office and on his way see many rag picker children lined up with their bags waiting on the main road, probably for the loading vehicle to take their daily collection.  Every morning he would see 10-15 children holding their bags. He asked from some people and found that none of them had gone school and since childhood picking rags.

Rajesh discussed this at his home and the family decided to support these children by way of giving them books and pushing them for school admission. Rajesh son Deepak, who was himself studying in 7th standard extended hand for teaching them basic language and some maths. Deepak also assured his father that in 10-15 days these children would be able to write their name and do calculation themselves. 

On Sunday, Rajesh decided to meet these children.  he went walking as he was staying near.  As he reached all the children surrounded him on the pretext that he has come to sell some newspapers or some other material.  Rajesh started speaking to one child, who told his name as Kapil. Kapil was about 9 years old and had just returned from picking rags.

The conversation started with his name. But the next reply was proof of the pathetic mental condition these children have. The conversation is reproduced below:  

(I have translated in English):

Rajesh   : Kapil have you ever gone to the school ?

Kapil : No Sir (saab) (and he smiled as if he is quite happy replying this question)

Rajesh   : Do you want to go to the school ?

Kapil     :       No Sir.  I have to work for the house.  Only than mother will give me meals.

Rajesh   : Where do you stay ?

Kapil       : I stay in 'Kachi Basti' (a place better known as slums)

Rajesh   : Do you like Books ?

Kapil     : Yes Sir, I can BUY them for Rs. 10 a kg.

Rajesh : (shocked) I asked you about reading books and you are telling about purchasing.

Kapil     : Sir, why are you talking all this.  This is the time for my work. You are wasting my time.

Rajesh : I am asking you to study, I will buy you new books and school uniform and also colour pencils.

Kapil : Why Sir. I dont want to go to the school. I want to work. My father also works for the house.

Rajesh : Understand, if you study, you will never have to do this work. Understand. You will become like me.

Kapil : Sir, it is morning time and I have to work. Please let me work. Thank you. But I dont want to study.

Rajesh : Ok don't study.  Ill give you books and you read them and if you like ill admit you in a school.

Kapil : Ok Sir... you are insisting.. give me books..

Rajesh gave him a packet of books which had few picture stories, a drawing book and colours in a neat school bag.  Rajesh was very happy when he returned. As he felt he could speak to one child and convince him.

Next morning Rajesh as usual was going to his office and stopped at the same place.  Kapil was not there. Rajesh was even happy and he thought he must have decided not to do this rag picking work and so he will go to the school.

Rajesh enquired about Kapil and came to know that he has not come today and all the children saw the books. Basically pictures.  Some tried hands on drawing as well. But finally..... finally the books were sold for Rs. 10 a kg.

Rajesh was shocked. Children of street have interest and may be we need more efforts to send them to school.

Rajesh went to the nearby shop and purchased another books, colours and a nice school bag. 

"Vedanta Khushi" inspired him to not to loose hope and try even harder. If this was so easy, it would have been done long back.

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Join Vedanta Khushi group on facebook : www.facebook.com/groups/vedantakhushi

Vedanta Khushi : 600 Children paint "Khushi : Our Girls Our Pride" on Canvas

"Girls are not born by choice but by chance, we need to break this mind-set in India" 

It was a day for 600 school children to show their solidarity towards girl child by painting 600 new ideas to protect and honour girls in India.  "Khushi : Our Girls Our Pride" campaign launched by Vedanta Group and NDTV organized an event at Udaipur, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkatta simultaneously here hundreds of children painted canvases on the pride of girl child. Vedanta and NDTV have joined hands to build a life of dignity for the girl child and the film star Priyanka Chopra has been the brand ambassador of this campaign.

In Udaipur, it set a record when 600 school children from 20 schools coloured the canvas by putting their thoughts together. Some children painted prominent women athletes as inspiration, some draw a child in mother's womb being treated, some had thoughts of drawing girl as mother, some showed girls going to school, some showed different facets of girl - sister, wife and a creator of life.  The varied thoughts put on canvas were indeed a pride. Delhi Public School that hosted this event organized by Vedanta's "Khushi" and NDTV encouraged students to build a society which has no gender discrimination. A society of equality and pride for children. A message that said India needs to be proud of its female population.

The event brought students of below 16 years together on a single mission. Children were also joined by their parents and more than 25 female teachers of DPS who stood by them the children.  The entire "Khushi" team of Vedanta was also present which helped children develop their thoughts.  

Pavan Kaushik, who has carved "Khushi" campaign and who is also Head of Corporate Communication said " Mr. Anil Agarwal the Chairman of Vedanta Group has given an agenda to spread awareness about the need to build a life of dignity for the underprivileged children.  "Khushi" is a communication campaign fulfilling this mission to inform and spread knowledge about how important it is for India to address more than 20 crore malnourished children, their health and education".  Speaking on the girl child. " Girls need to build their status too. Dont get bogged down by social evils or society restrictions. Live as an individual who is bound to make her own identity and capture a newer height. Girls are always pride for the family and for the society", said Pavan Kaushik.

Many national and international reports have shown that India suffers from serious female infanticide issue, child deaths, malnutrition, and education in deprived children. India is home for the largest children in the world and it is alarming to note that the ratio of females is only decreasing. Girls are not given birth by choice but by chance.  With 50% children malnourished in India and lacking education and primary health, makes all the citizens role more important. Government of India has come forward with Rs. 129,000 crore sanction towards ICDS project, but it will also reach to 50% of deprived population. Thus corporates, NGOs and most importantly, common citizens need to come forward with individual initiatives.

The Principal of Delhi Public School, Udaipur, Ms. Neeru Tandon, spoke about bringing female in front even at school events and gave them preference to build their confidence.  "Dont discourage them, just make sure they get proper support" Neeru Tandon says. "We have more of female staff than male staff and I am quite proud of it" she said.  Vedanta has been pioneering the child welfare campaign in India with a mission to make India a child malnourished free nation.  In its effort, since 2008 Vedanta has been associated with government to take care of about 14,000 Anganwadis (child care centres),reaching out to more than 500,000 deprived children.  The company has also constructed 8 Hi-tech Mid Day Meal Kitchens that provides hot nutritious meal to over 250,000 rural students studying in government schools on daily basis.   

Vedanta has adopted 112 rural schools towards developing their infrastructure and strengthening the education system.  NDTV too has always played an instrumental role in creating awareness about various social issues existing in the country through diverse, path breaking initiatives.

www.khushi-creatinghappiness.blogspot.in

www.facebook.com/groups/vedantakhushi

Vedanta Khushi Launches its First "Khushi" Video

Teri 'Khushi' Se Badhkar, Meri 'Khushi' Hai Kahan

KHUSHI FILM

To rigorously promote our campaign towards child care, particularly the deprived children in India, we have completed our first "Khushi" video which talks about the journey of deprived children towards a nourished, educated and healthy life. Let us join hands and bring KHUSHI on the faces of many more such children.. WATCH the VIDEO : VEDANTA KHUSHI : LAUNCH FILM..  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMbyOum4CKw 

Priyanka Chopra committed for Girl Children... Krishna Poonia working for deprived children.. Our Chairman Shri Anil Agarwal driving the mission to make India a child malnourished nation... What are we doing as an individual ??

Underprivileged children need your concern. May be your slight behaviour towards them can change the way they live their lives.. JOIN "Khushi" Awareness Campaign.... www.facebook.com/groups/vedantakhushi ... also visit the blog to see success stories .. www.khushi-creatinghappiness.blogspot.in ...

Let us join hands towards 'Building a life of Dignity for Underprivileged Children... 

Vedanta's "Khushi", NDTV and Priyanka Chopra join hands for Girl Child

Campaign  : ‘Our Girls : Our Pride’ Launched - Priyanka Chopra is the Brand Ambassador

Vedanta Group and NDTV have joined hands to promote Girl Child in India through campaign "Our Girls : Our Pride".  The campaign has been launched under Vedanta's "Khushi" awareness campaign, that is already promoting care for the underprivileged children, their health, nutrition and education.  

Ms. Priyanka Chopra has been named the Brand Ambassador of the campaign "Our Girl : Our Pride" .  The campaign launched on 19th August 2013 in New Delhi,  will address key issues like nutrition, education, health, foeticide and infanticide.  The focus of the campaign will be to educate people at large, bring awareness, bring policy changes and sensitize people towards girl child and build a respect for the gender.

Looking at India, the country houses the maximum number of children in the world but it is also true that around 50% of child are suffering from malnutrition and the number of girls is large. The ratio of females per 1000 mails has been continuously decreasing since last more than 30 years.  There is a conscious need to not only protect the girl child but also bring in dedicated efforts towards their education, nutrition, health and overall development.

The three partners in this campaign are unique in their own fields.

Priyanka Chopra, who has been named as Brand Ambassador for this campaign, has been UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador for India, Priyanka has been actively involved in various causes related to the girl child for many years.  She has also personally supported this cause through the ‘Priyanka Chopra Foundation for Health and Education’, which works towards providing support to unprivileged girls across the country in the areas Education and Health.

Vedanta has been pioneering the child welfare campaign in India with a mission to make India a child malnourished free nation.  In its effort, since 2008 Vedanta has been associated with government to take care of about 14,000 Anganwadis (child care centres), benefiting more than 500,000 deprived children.  The company has also constructed 8 Hi-tech Mid Day Meal Kitchens that provide hot nutritious meal to over 250,000 rural students studying in government schools.  Vedanta has adopted many rural schools towards bringing quality of education and strengthening infrastructure. 

NDTV has always played an instrumental role in creating awareness about various issues existing in the country through diverse, path breaking initiatives such as Save Our Tigers, Support My School, Marks for Sports and the Greenathon amongst others. 

The campaign launch was marked with the presence of Campaign Ambassador - Priyanka Chopra, Dr Prannoy Roy - Co-chairperson NDTV and Mr. Anil Agarwal - Chairman Vedanta Group,  Dr. Girija Vyas - Minister for Urban Poverty Alleviation, Dr A L Sharada - Programme Director, Population First, Ms. Deepak Kalra, Chairperson for Child Rights Protection Committee in Rajasthan and many NGOs and other dignitaries.

Hon’ble Minister for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath addressed the gathering via a live-link and said, “We should respect women in our society because both men and women are equal partners to take out our society forward. According to our Constitution, we have equal rights, so we enjoy equal rights as men and women.”

On being introduced as Campaign Ambassador, Priyanka Chopra, said, “The upliftment of the girl child in India has been a cause that is very close to my heart.  In my role as UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador and through my experience with my personal foundation, I understand that while there have been some positive strides being made every day, there is still a serious amount of work that is still left to be done.  I am honoured to be a part of NDTV - Vedanta- Our Girls : Our Pride, which is a wonderful initiative. 

NDTV has pioneered several successful campaigns in the past, creating a positive change in the lives of many. My personal experience with NDTV on the Greenathon over many successful years gives me the belief that together we can work towards making a sustainable change. With this initiative we aim to change the lives of many girls and provide them with basic necessities to be able to lead a quality life. I’m looking forward to creating a successful campaign that will give everyone an opportunity to come together in making a better and brighter India for our young girls.”

On this occasion, Mr. Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta Group, said "Vedanta is committed to partner with all stakeholders, especially community, for a holistic development of India.  What we need today is a movement on a war-footing to give our children what is rightfully theirs — a childhood that is not deprived of health, nutrition and education. We all must join hands — individuals, civil society, corporates, media fraternity and the government. We are quite delighted to associate with NDTV and Ms Priyanka Chopra for taking the "Our Girls Our Pride" campaign forward."

Addressing the audience, Dr. Prannoy Roy, Chairperson, NDTV, said “Perhaps the single most important change we can bring to our country is to invest in our girl children - to focus on their rights and demand their equality in society. Ensuring that every girl child in India achieves her full potential will transform India in a way that no other revolution can. This campaign is a small step in that direction - to raise awareness and to seek concrete steps towards a better India for the girl child.”

‘NDTV-Vedanta - Our Girls : Our Pride’ is yet another attempt to make a noteworthy difference in our world.  Apart from sensitizing the masses, the campaign also aims to raise funds to make a positive impact in the lives of as many girls as possible.

Vedanta Khushi : Spreading Happiness

Story in The Hindu on Khushi :
A social media campaign promoting the welfare of underprivileged children in Rajasthan’s Udaipur district has completed one year of spreading awareness on vital issues such as nutrition, health and education.

Titled Khushi(happiness), it has made its presence felt through a blog and on the Facebook platform. The blog uploads success stories of people who have come forward and made a difference to the lives of marginalised children. The Facebook platform discusses issues relating to their education, nutrition and health.

Conceived as a campaign that connects people who think similarly, it searches for individuals genuinely concerned with development and growth of the country and willing to put that extra bit to either churn out new strategies or bring the cause to the notice of common people and policy makers.

Though the campaign started with only seven people, it has now crossed the figure of 25,000 members, while the blog is touching 58,000 page views. People from different professions like professors, teachers, students, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, management graduates, journalists, social workers, writers, development practitioners, etc., are part of the Khushi group and taking the campaign forward.

Pavan Kaushik of Udaipur-based Vedanta Resources who carved the campaign says it is a non-funding drive that encourages people to come forward and understand the problem and take individual steps for probable solutions. “We even decided to develop the blog and maintain and operate it in-house. Many members have come forward with donations but Khushi encourages them to take direct steps. This has brought a sense of belonging towards the campaign.”

After one year of operation, the first change that Khushi feels it has been able to cultivate is that of people’s temperament towards the deprived children. The thoughtful online discussions and debates on education and infrastructure development in rural schools, nutrition and education for street children, problem of children involved in making crackers, increasing drop-out rate in rural schools, teachers’ problem, the menace of begging, child labour, vocational training, among others, have brought forth ideas on how as individuals we are capable of addressing these problems and working towards solutions.

Post launch of the campaign, many members went ahead and took some strong decisions. Some of them now sponsor education of children of their domestic helps, some have employed parents of children who beg on the streets or near traffic-lights, some have gone ahead for adoption, some are providing education to the street children on a regular basis, some are engaged in organising creative workshops for them and some others are collectively taking extra classes in rural schools.

Slowly and steadily, the campaign is gaining momentum. To understand the problems relating to street children, Khushi team spent two days with them in the Malla Talai locality of Udaipur. It has also organised a workshop for them and held a painting competition. Here over 125 children between the age of one and 13 years attended, some along with their parents and listened to the Khushi team’s talk on health and hygiene.

The campaign won the Rotary Community Service Award this year, and Arjuna Award winner athlete Krishna Poonia also joined the campaign with the resolve to take the issue forward.

A social media campaign – Khushi -- in Udaipur district attempts to tackle nutrition, health and education among children.

VEDANTA KHUSHI : TRIBAL CHILDREN OF ODISHA DEMAND EDUCATION

Indian Government has been keenly working towards the welfare of tribal population in the country - their health, education, nutrition, and overall upliftment. These tribals have been hiding from the main stream for long now. When the country is seeing overall development, there is a necessary need to bring them as well in the main stream and particularly their children, who are far away from quality education.

The uneducated parents have left their children deprived too of quality education.

State Odisha happens to be topping the list of States that houses highest population below the poverty line and also in case of tribal population - mentions the recent study by UNICEF. The report also mentions that Odisha is also the State where tribal communities constitute almost half of the state’s poor population. The literacy rate in these communities is among the lowest in the country with high numbers of school dropouts.

Even after knowing all this, there are still many voices who insist on NOT TO BRING THESE TRIBALS IN THE MAIN STREAM and want to neglect them, leave them, where they are and how they live.  The districts of Kalahandi and Rayagada where the Dongria Kondh and Kutia Kondh tribes reside, the belief is still alive to keep the medicine on the roof-top for the almighty to eat for their cure.

VEDANTA KHUSHI campaign has reached these tribal areas and through consistent counseling has pursuated the children of tribals to go to formal schools.  These tribal children belong to Bissumcuttack, Muniguda and Kalyansinghpur blocks of Rayagada district which is predominantly inhabited by Dongria Kondh community. Now these tribal children demand education.

100 tribal and backward children would now be going to formal school.  They are being provided quality education through "Kalinga Institute of Social Science (KISS)", Bhubaneswar. All the students have been provided with free uniform, books, stationery items, boarding and lodging facilities, as part of the academic support.

The Kalinga Institute of Social Science (KISS) has been formed with the objective to bring tribal children into mainstream education with adequate facilities in a sustainable environment that would ensure a new beginning and a bright future.

In the first phase of the initiative, 63 tribal students in the age group of  5-8 years have been sent to this Institute.  The rest 37 students would be sent in the second phase.

When we know that India houses the maximum number of children in the world and also that 1/3rd of the malnourished children live in India, and further that there are States who are high on tribal population, all of us, including the Government, Corporates and people at large need to come forward and be part of this change.

 

VEDANTA KHUSHI : Care for the Underprivileged Children

VEDANTA KHUSHI - FREE OPERATIONS FOR CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM "CLEFT LIPS / CLEFT PALATES."

VEDANTA KHUSHI has taken yet another initiative and this time it is towards the HEALTH of Underprivileged Children in India. VEDANTA KHUSHI is organizing FREE OPERATIONS for Children suffering from CLEFT LIPS AND CLEFT PALATES.

India is sadly one of the prominent countries where almost 35,000 children every year are born with the problem of CLEFT LIPS / CLEFT PALATES. This problem in children is quite prevalent in developing countries and as much as 1/700 children in the world are born with this problem.

SMILE TRAIN - USA, is the world largest and international renowned charity organization that conducts CLEFT LIPS and CLEFT PALATES operations through their 170 partner hospitals spread across 110 cities in India, which includes GBH American Hospital, Udaipur. Further, SMILE TRAIN - USA, has presence in 87 countries.

On the behest of VEDANTA KHUSHI, GBH American Hospital, Udaipur has agreed to conduct FREE OPERATIONS for CLEFT LIPS and CLEFT PALATES of any child across India with a target to cover as many as 2500 children within one year. These operations will be PARTLY FUNDED by SMILE TRAIN, USA.

The surgery would be conducted by Dr. Guru Bhushan (M.S., MCh.) - Consultant Burns, Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon at GBH American Hospital. The average time taken for surgery is less than 2 hours.

People can contact Dr. Guru Bhushan - 09352146080 / Mr. Raju Abhichandani - 09352244590 in GBH American Hospital, Udaipur, for appointment and further information.

"VEDANTA KHUSHI - CARE FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN"

VEDANTA KHUSHI: THE HEROES OF MALLA TALAI

Day 25th August 2012, and the entire VEDANTA KHUSHI team was fully geared-up to meet the children of Malla Talai.

Sanjay, Shiva, Vishal, Mukesh, Kalu, Kajal, Madhu, Ganga, Anjali, Manisha, Kali, Pooja, Jamuna, Raj, Suman, Chootu, Chooti, I can keep naming them as by now I can identify a lot many children. We were now sure that the number of children attending the workshop will increase and so we had taken those precautions in our preparations.

Kalu Ram, our contact, called us to inform that children are all getting ready and taking bath and brushing teeth. Some of them have even got their clothes ironed.  The message as well received by the children and they kept their promise.

VEDANTA KHUSHI’s 9 volunteers reached the place exactly as decided and were just thrilled to see the loud welcome noise of wishes and sound echoing.. “Sir Aaa Gaye” (Sir has come). The place was already cleaned up. We counted the children, as expected, they were more, and the figure was touching 125. We divided the children into two groups, children below 3 years and children from 3-15 years. Once done the volunteers checked their hygiene and almost 80% of the children had bath, brushed teeth and had combed their hair.

Trust me, children are children, it was difficult to identify them once they followed simple hygienic principles. No matter where they are borne, but when you look at them, they are as true as any other child.  

Once the children were seated on the mats, it was time to speak to them on one to one basis. Asking about what they like and dislike, have they ever gone to school, which film they have seen recently, about their parents, their brother-sister and many such questions. What we could gather was that some studied for some time but the school did not support their interest. Rest never bothered as their parents never took interest. Some were keen to continue but the facilities are not there. When we asked their parents, the only reply we got was that they need a school around their vicinity which can keep the children interest alive. Moving forward, amazingly, the youths and the parents, particularly the mothers of children, had almost cordoned the area. Their support showed they had a lot of interest in this activity which was being conducted first time in their locality. And children were on the top of their joy. We had brought with us a colouring book and also wax colours for every child. Their excitement had no boundaries. The VEDANTA KHUSHI volunteers explained them about the colouring and also what they needed to do.

Colours reflect your imagination and also your skills. When one draws a painting or colours a picture, the choice of colours reflect the mind and hand coordination the determination of achieving that success. This is the reason we chose this medium for the workshop.

But before the distribution, children were asked to conduct a prayer – Vande Mataram was their favourite. They sang on top of their voice.. but only two lines kept repeating.. I understood rest of the prayer was not known to them.  It was time to now sit and colour the pictures and the pin-drop silence took us for a surprise again. Children were quietly colouring the pictures. In between they came and asked for the choice of the colours and that are they doing alright. The entire volunteers had got themselves placed with the children and holding their hand helped them finish a nice work.

Surprisingly, the batch below 3 years was not less. No fights and only picture painting was going on. The parents of these children also sat with them and started helping them holding their hand.

For one day, may be for few hours, we could give them that much needed respect and attention, they always lacked but deserved. Our attention brought a much needed confidence in them. Their body language and communication had become easy and acceptable.

See the pictures on the blog www.khushi-creatinghappiness.blogspot.in to believe the magic in their hands. These children virtually copied the original picture. Each and every picture was a master-piece and all had that enthusiasm to be better than the other. Girls took away the credit this time as well. The hidden talent was no more hidden, it was a treasure.

Once the painting was over, it was time to select the best paintings and VEDANTA KHUSHI decided to award 10 children, 5 girls and 5 boys. The award was a pencil box with a pencil, eraser, sharpener and scale. The message was clear, keep using these articles as they are meant for education. Finally as part of providing nutrition, we distributed fruits, nicely and hygienically packed, for every single child. They were asked to eat it all on location.

VEDANTA KHUSHI noticed, there were quite a few who were more than interested in completing the colouring and kept the fruits on wait.  The workshop lasted for 3 hours on 25th August 2012 and it was time to leave. We too felt it hard to leave as much these children felt it hard to let VEDANTA KHUSHI go. With some tears, some hands holding our hands, we could hear as many voices, SIR, PLEASE OPEN OUR SCHOOL, WE WANT TO STUDY (Sir, hamara school khulwa digiye, hume padhna hai). 

VEDANTA KHUSHI does not want to stop here and have some plans for them. The Part-II of the story ends here and the final part would be uploaded next.

KHUSHI - Care for the Underprivileged Children in India 

VEDANTA KHUSHI - A LOUD WHISPER OF STREET CHILDREN OF MALLA TALAI

VEDANTA KHUSHI organized an on-location workshop with the street children of Malla Talai in Udaipur on 24th and 25th August 2012. The workshop was aimed to sensitize these children who were in the age group of 2-15 years about the health-education-nutrition issues. Some times you feel happy when your entire presumptions get defeated. The same happened with VEDANTA KHUSHI team who were surprised to see the strong gathering of 125 children, present with their parents to undertake this workshop. Also came handy the cooperation by youths of the village who were too keen for such educational event for the village children.

The first daunting task was to visit the place and meet the children and assess their interest. A small team of VEDANTA KHUSHI went to see the place and spoke to the people around. Mere mention of the activity was enough to excite children and within minutes our local contact KAALU RAM was successful in gathering about 75 children. We searched for a suitable place for the workshop but could find only one place which was near the village dust-bin. KAALU RAM along with KAILASH, another villager, and few more youths promised to get the place cleaned up for the workshop, the next day. We decided that to cover the place we would put-up panels and mats for the children.

We promised to come back in the evening to meet these children and speak to them on health & hygiene, as our first step towards their health. Meanwhile another team went for the purchase of certain hygiene items from the market like soap, tooth-brush, paste, comb etc.

In the evening VEDANTA KHUSHI team reached the location and was just surprised to see the entire group of children just waiting for us. We met them and could identify few very brainy children who were only willing to get admission in the school, “Sir, MUJHE SCHOOL JANA HAI PAR YAHAN SCHOOL NAHI HAI” was the chorus of most of the children.

Children were untidy and it seemed had not taken bath for days. Their clothes were dirty and teeth smelled. We were here to find KHUSHI in these children. Their condition only made us determined to conduct a successful workshop.

VEDANTA KHUSHI team spoke to them about the importance of brushing teeth daily, taking bath, wearing clean clothes and combing their hair. The good habits and etiquettes were also part of our briefing. When we asked them how many of them touched the feet of their parents every morning, only few could reply, but promised that they would do so from now on. After speaking to them in length, we gave the hygiene items to all the children.

Children promised that when they would come for the workshop the next day, 25th August, 2012, they would come all after taking bath, brushing their teeth and wearing clean clothes. Their promise was to be seen to be believed.

Today, we are uploading only few pictures related to workshop, just give you a glimpse of it.

We wish to share this unparallel experience with you and would present you in a series of 3 stories.

The PART- I ends here.
KHUSHI - Care for the Underprivileged Children