When a long awaited child was born, his parents were very happy. But as he grew up their joy began to fade. The child was differently abled ! He became a burden on his parents. They tried to take care of him but could not cope up with the pressure for too long. Helplessly,they dumped him at a famous temple in the vicinity and disappeared. The police registered a case and the boy was named ‘Billa No. 144’. The same boy is now called ‘Shantharam’ in Asha Bhavan! Asha Bhavan at Kodoli, Satara is home to many such special children.
On the occasion of Diwali, SIMSREE and its Student Social Responsibility Committee took the initiative of lighting up the lives of these children. We collected clothes, stationery, various other gift items and sweets and distributed the same among those children.
Even though these children barely understood the significance of Diwali celebration, the warmth and the festivity was evident from their reaction and joy. The students of SIMSREE spent a day at the orphanage and came back home feeling enriched with the experience. And the smiles of the children only reflect that the experience was mutual!
