The December Happenings
Graying in color
For years they have seen the pain of life,
Yet the eyes never tire of the dreams they behold!
It is 5 am. The morning breeze carries a deep song that reverberates the entire home and wakes up the birds to their daily chores. It is Gopal thatha singing his Keerthanai, invoking Gods blessing to his huge family here. Gopal thatha is 70 and his eyes have never seen the light of the day, yet with his poignant song he lights a smile on every weary face. And Sairam thatha taps his hands and feet in tune to this divine song; he was a dance master in his fruitful years. After the tryst with God, their day begins with a peek into the world through the newspapers and magazine. Sairam thatha reads it out aloud for his blind friend. Discarded by a thankless society, they now reside together in this home of love ' Udavum Karangal' (Helping hands).
Mr. Padmanaban with the looks of a headmaster is the disciplinarian of the home. Having run a small scale industry in his younger days, the loss of his eyesight fell as a blow to both his personal as well as official life. He landed up at the home unwilling to be a burden to his family. It has been 3 years since he was operated with the help of Udavum Karangal, now he helps in the maintenance of the home. He got his eyesight and a new meaning to his life. For the kids at Udavum Karangal, Sathyanarayan thatha and Parvathi patti are the most wanted couple. The little ones at the home simply love their vivid tales and it is this laughter that heals their aged heart of past wounds. Sathyanarayanan thatha reminisces his woeful past " I was working in LIC then, I had adopted a relative's son, and brought him up like my own. And one day, my world crashed when this son of mine sold everything I had and left me and Parvati in the streets". Wiping his tears, he says, " I never thought it could happen to me!” His words were interrupted by a little one who pleaded thatha to join his game. He smiles and adds, " I lost one son but now i have several grandchildren".
Though very near a graveyard that sees death everyday, this home is a garden of hope to those who live within its walls; Mrs. Lakshmi (75 years) speaks of her 16 year journey with Udavum Karangal “ In the beginning, this home was just a string of temporary huts, I remember how Mr.Vidyaakar ( Founder of Udavum Karangal) used to go to marriage halls and hotels to collect food for the inmates. With his unflinching zeal to serve he soon won several hearts. People now come voluntarily to feed our residents or to sponsor our children!” She then adds, “ Many of us who came here at the fag end of our life had already lost trust on men but having seen the benevolence of such good hearts, our hopes are rekindled”.
Though these men and women have almost lost everything in life, they never lose their will. Sarvasakthi patti, an Alzhemeir patient is one such silent soldier. Abandoned by her dear ones and her own memory, she was brought here by a well-wisher. Now, a beautiful smile dances on her face every time she looks at the plants she grooms, she hugs them tenderly like her very own children. Gardening, cooking, cleaning, tailoring, these grannies literally run their house with no help from outside. “ It is our home! Everyone here pitches in to run it” Says Rabia the 50-year teenager. She embraces every day with the enthusiasm of a child. Born to affluent parents in Tiruchi, she led a merry life until fate stuck her in the form of gangrene, which was when she came here. Though her affected leg was amputated, her spirit remains unconquered to this day. “ I have still got hands!” declares this charming lady and shows the lovely mehendi that adorns them. “ We had mehendi done for this diwali, every festival is celebrated with fervor by us. Last Ramzan, we had some yummy biriyani” she adds gleefully. There is another pair of fascinating dadis here, thayamma and papamma. They come from different families, yet are inseparable like twins. They are deaf and dumb, yet with the language of love, blossoms this rare friendship. Within the serene walls of Udavum Karangal, such discordant notes sing in harmony striking a soulful music!
The philanthrophy of a school in Coimbatore
Major Events
4th Dec 2007,
35 students from Adhi Parasakthi College of Nursing came in here for Observational visit
6th Dec 2007,
20 students from Sri Ramachandra College of Nursing came in here for Observational visit. They contributed cash.
7th Dec 2007,
Ms.Kottreler Hedwig from Germany, came in here to distribute chocolates to our kids for Christmas eve. She met Pappa and contributed some amount.
9th Dec 2007,
Mrs.Soornam Sakthi & Friends, from Singapore, came in here for visit. They met Pappa and contributed some amount
.
12th Dec2007,
Pastor John Poonga from Thiruverkadu and his team of people came in here for the Christmas carols.
15th Dec 2007,
20 students from Rotary School of Nursing (1st year students) came in here for observational visit.
20th Dec 2007.
Ms.Nandhitha Bansal & her Family, well-wisher of Udavum Karangal came in here for feeding. They met Pappa and also made contributions.
22nd Dec 2007,
50 students from Nazareth College, Avadi came in here on the eve of Christmas and Entertained our children with programmes on Christmas.
25th Dec 2007,
Pastor John Poonga and his team came and celebrated Christmas.
