Note: The names of all the children in this post have been changed in order to protect their identity.
Akram is very excited today. He can't stop beaming. When I ask him the reason for his happiness, he says that he has grown full one inch in the past week. "Now I am 4 feet tall!" he exclaims.
I am in Umeed Aman Ghar (Aman Biradari's) shelter for boys near Mehrauli in New Delhi. Built out of red bricks and stone, the cohesiveness of this building is not the cement that binds the bricks, but its the love and compassion between the different young boys that transforms this 'building' to a 'home'.
As I get ready to click some pictures, everyone clamours to get in the front unless I frown and threaten not to click any, after which everyone stands erect as if having been doused with ice cold water. These children do not mind talking to a stranger, as the children from many prosperous families would, because they have been taught that the only stranger in their life is hatred and ill will.
Its another normal day out here as the children get ready to take their morning classes in English and Mathematics. But Saket, Sachin and Rahul just can't stop quibbling. Sachin is upset because he thinks that Saket and Rahul have schemed against him. When I ask whats the matter, he explains: " I was going to be the hero of our movie. But now Saket and Rahul are saying that I will not play the hero. Ye toh cheating hai!" On being asked about the details of the movie, he informs me (and adds that this information is being provided to me exclusively) that they all are planning to make a movie. "Saket will be the director and Rahul will be the producer." I ask Saket and Rahul about the same and they retort " Sachin will not be in the movie. Yesterday, all that he was doing was to shout 'Packup!' Aise movie thodi na banti hai."
Quarrels aside, they unanimously agree that they will name their movie as "MAAR DHAAD". Another round of negotiations and suggestions start for deciding the tagline.
But Rajeev seems to be quite aloof from all these plans. "I want to become a big man someday", he says in crisp and precise English, as one is almost taken aback by the intensity of determination oozing out of his eyes. "I will learn how to properly read and write and become successful in my life." I remark that his boots seem to be the cleanest of all and he smiles and says "I polished them last night!"
Nicknames abound as the children pull each others leg. Rajiv tells me that the big burly boy standing near the tree is named 'Kalicharan' and the small black one tying his laces is named 'African Babua'. Apparently 'African Babua' overhears his name and informs me that Rajiv is nick named 'Laat Sahib'.
It is bstrange that for all the misery that has been associated with their past, these children only have optimism and high hopes for their future.
"When I first came here, I did not like it. I had no manners to talk to anyone or even my elders and indulged in fights often." says 15 year old Abdul. " I used to shout a lot and throw a lot of tantrums. But gradually I begun to like the place. These people taught me how to read and write and made me clever. Above all, they taught me manners and etiquette." Naveen, who is standing nearby, retorts, "but he still doesn't talk to me properly", as we all burst out laughing.
As I prepare to leave the home, some children tug at my coat and ask, when are they getting their pictures? Ummm.....I'll try to take out a print, I assure them.
"One last question. What have you named me?"
"Bangali Baabu!"
"Bengali Baabu? But I am from Madhya Pradesh..."
"Then Diggi Raja!"
Suits me fine. :)
Akram is very excited today. He can't stop beaming. When I ask him the reason for his happiness, he says that he has grown full one inch in the past week. "Now I am 4 feet tall!" he exclaims.
I am in Umeed Aman Ghar (Aman Biradari's) shelter for boys near Mehrauli in New Delhi. Built out of red bricks and stone, the cohesiveness of this building is not the cement that binds the bricks, but its the love and compassion between the different young boys that transforms this 'building' to a 'home'.
As I get ready to click some pictures, everyone clamours to get in the front unless I frown and threaten not to click any, after which everyone stands erect as if having been doused with ice cold water. These children do not mind talking to a stranger, as the children from many prosperous families would, because they have been taught that the only stranger in their life is hatred and ill will.
Its another normal day out here as the children get ready to take their morning classes in English and Mathematics. But Saket, Sachin and Rahul just can't stop quibbling. Sachin is upset because he thinks that Saket and Rahul have schemed against him. When I ask whats the matter, he explains: " I was going to be the hero of our movie. But now Saket and Rahul are saying that I will not play the hero. Ye toh cheating hai!" On being asked about the details of the movie, he informs me (and adds that this information is being provided to me exclusively) that they all are planning to make a movie. "Saket will be the director and Rahul will be the producer." I ask Saket and Rahul about the same and they retort " Sachin will not be in the movie. Yesterday, all that he was doing was to shout 'Packup!' Aise movie thodi na banti hai."
Quarrels aside, they unanimously agree that they will name their movie as "MAAR DHAAD". Another round of negotiations and suggestions start for deciding the tagline.
But Rajeev seems to be quite aloof from all these plans. "I want to become a big man someday", he says in crisp and precise English, as one is almost taken aback by the intensity of determination oozing out of his eyes. "I will learn how to properly read and write and become successful in my life." I remark that his boots seem to be the cleanest of all and he smiles and says "I polished them last night!"
Nicknames abound as the children pull each others leg. Rajiv tells me that the big burly boy standing near the tree is named 'Kalicharan' and the small black one tying his laces is named 'African Babua'. Apparently 'African Babua' overhears his name and informs me that Rajiv is nick named 'Laat Sahib'.
It is bstrange that for all the misery that has been associated with their past, these children only have optimism and high hopes for their future.
"When I first came here, I did not like it. I had no manners to talk to anyone or even my elders and indulged in fights often." says 15 year old Abdul. " I used to shout a lot and throw a lot of tantrums. But gradually I begun to like the place. These people taught me how to read and write and made me clever. Above all, they taught me manners and etiquette." Naveen, who is standing nearby, retorts, "but he still doesn't talk to me properly", as we all burst out laughing.
As I prepare to leave the home, some children tug at my coat and ask, when are they getting their pictures? Ummm.....I'll try to take out a print, I assure them.
"One last question. What have you named me?"
"Bangali Baabu!"
"Bengali Baabu? But I am from Madhya Pradesh..."
"Then Diggi Raja!"
Suits me fine. :)
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