BEST INSTITUTION AWARD WINNER :
JANAKALYAN SEVASHRAM
It is an
idea that germinated; a wish that
got realized. It is more than an Old Age Home. It is
an orphanage with a difference.
It is a brain wave that hit
Mr. K. R. Raman of Chembur in 1997. He realized that there is a
dire need for providing shelter to the old and the destitute. So
was born the venture of Janakalyan Sevashram with one inmate –
an elderly lady who had nowhere to go. Soon, Raman was joined in
by a group of like-minded people. “In the next 6-7 months, the
ashram had as many inmates,” says one of the administrators
who doesn’t want to be named. Of course, the spirit pervades
the other trustees also; all of whom take pleasure in remaining
anonymous. So much so, that the souvenir published by the
Janakalyan Sevashram 4 months ago on the occasion of the
inauguration of its new ashram building mentions no names of
Trustees. The ashram runs on their abstract devotion.
Today the Ashram situated on
its own 10,000 m2 plot in Parpund village near Panvel and having
its own spacious building houses 88 inmates – 66 senior
citizens and 22 school growing children. The only common factor
among them is their destitution. The inmates are screened keenly
and are admitted only if found to be thoroughly destitute. As
for the children, they come from the surrounding villages and
are often victims of broken families. They are fed, clothed and
sent to school at the Ashram’s expense.
That indeed is a new trend
noticed in all the old age homes. They will have a section
housing, who else but destitute children. Sinking life takes
heart at the sight of budding life! Nothing enlivens the old
and the sick more than the sight of playing, crooning children.
The Ashram can be noted for
another characteristic also. It employs no cooks. The inmates
prepare their food themselves. While the more dexterous among
them take to the ladle, others join in by cutting vegetables and
doing other chores. Care is taken to ensure that too many cooks
don’t spoil the broth.
“The Ashram has a monthly
budget of Rs. 1.75 lacs,” says the administrator who spoke to
this reporter. All of it flows by way of kindhearted donations!
“There was never a time when the inmates became desperate for
supplies,” he assures.
There is proof to show that
Janakalyan’s formula has worked. On public demand, they have
started branches in Kashi, Haridwar, Chennai and Palakkad, the
last 2 suggesting the South Indian inclination of the Ashram.
Do Kashi & Haridwar make
it pan-Indian? “Some people like to spend their last days in
holy places like those named. The management tries to
accommodate such believers in the place of their choice.”
“In New Bombay” and “Aaple
Nave Shahar” laud their noble objectives and sincere
efforts of Janakalyan Sevashram and has pleasure in
conferring this year’s Best Institution Award on it. The
Award includes a cash component of Rs. 10,000, which is a humble
contribution of our publishers on the occasion of our
anniversary celebrations.
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