CHILDREN of all age groups are scattered around the two-acre complex with the T-shirts and blue sweatpants, they look like sunflowers blooming in that walled space. Some are playing, while some others sit under trees with their books and pencils jotting on their notebooks. The complex with its multicoloured buildings is Snehawan, home to 60 children, all bound by their sad tales of personal loss-a parent who has died by suicide. They are all children of farmers from different parts of Maharashtra, from impoverished families, whose parents, predominantly fathers, chose suicide rather than see another debt-ridden day.
Snehawan, with its white and blue painted buildings-some with low roofing, three-storied, under construction and some built with large shipping containers-is a place that teaches children from the poorest of families that they too can have dreams.
Thirty-two-year-old Ashok Deshmane, an IT professional who gave up his job to look after these children spent his childhood and teenage years in abject poverty. He convinced the next of kin to send the children to Snehawan, located 200 km away from Mumbai in Chakan in Khed taluka of Pune district.
Convincing the surviving parent, often a farmer's widow whose relatives have a major say in the future of the children in households hit by suicide, is a challenging task. "When every child is a farm hand, the families are not too keen on educating them. They are poor and their biggest challenge is to get the next meal," says Deshmane, whose work with these children has been applauded by many.
Denne historien er fra December 01, 2023-utgaven av Outlook.
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Denne historien er fra December 01, 2023-utgaven av Outlook.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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The 'Invisible' Dalits
The debate over sub-categorisation of castes is likely to shape the political discourse in the upcoming state elections
Caste Census: To Conquer Or Conserve?
The caste census is generating heated debate, but even its most ardent proponents are not able to articulate a plan about how to use the resulting data
THE FATEFUL COMEDY
Actor-director Rajat Kapoor talks about adapting Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov into a Hindi play
Mad Hatter
When a leader takes off his topi and holds it in his hands while appealing for votes, it signals something extraordinary
Circle Within Circles
The caste question in Muslims.
Backward March
The Maratha reservation question may continue to mire the next government in the state
The 69% Exception
Quota within quota: lessons to be learned from Tamil Nadu
United Indifference
The perils of tweaking tribal identities
Two Nations, Two Destinies
The widely differing balance of power between the military and civilian leadership in India and Pakistan has significantly impacted democracy in the two countries
Crème de la Crème
The mainstream society thinks reservations are against right to equality. It’s high time they are seen in the context of right to justice.