It was on the very day 14th of November’ 2006, known as Children’s day… I went to a strange place which was thought to be silent and silence everywhere. Am extremely thankful to a lady who introduced me to the prodigies at the santhi ashram located on the beach road near Lawson’s Bay Colony visakhapatnam. It was around 7:00pm when I went there with 2 other ‘big’ ladies. The kids were having their dinner. Most of them were around 3-5 feet and eagerly looking at this 5’9”, “never seen before” lady Sans waiting to meet them at their dining hall. The hall was so silent that it was totally unbearable by a gal like me who can’t keep quiet even for a nanosecond (you know am always called as Asanthi by most of the people). As it was my 1st meeting with the kids who are born Deaf and Dumb (but not orphans), I found it strange and unusual. They greeted me humbly. I was totally surprised that they can make sounds and can speak 1 or 2 lettered words when they are in great excitement. Within 10-15 minutes, I’ve finished my first meet with the kids. That night I couldn’t sleep well. I couldn’t understand how ungraceful the god is for punishing those innocent kids. I couldn’t stop telling my classmates about my visit to the ashram. So I was waiting for a chance to explain them about it.
A month passed by, still my mind was wandering in the premises of the ashram and wanted to interact with those tiny tots and learn if I can be helpful to them in anyways. It was later in the month of December I spoke to my friend Srinivas in the classroom about the ashram. This impossible guy, to my surprise wanted to celebrate the New Year’s Day with the kids. Then I took a chance and announced in the classroom about the idea. Thanks to my friends who are so understanding, encouraging and sound spirited guys. Because of them today I’ve discovered myself and my capabilities. The story has just begun. Keeping in mind that many other such people must be planning to celebrate the event with the kids we proponed our plan to December 31st of 2006. We’ve bought a cake, chocolates, two carom boards, cricket set, and some other accessories to the kids. The children remembered my face and were making some unknown gestures to me. I couldn’t understand what they were trying to explain me at all. I took the help of the warden of the ashram and learnt that those kids are extremely happy and thankful to us for making the event on dec’ 31st. They have actually understood the purpose of the day. Primarily we wanted to convey them that the year end should be happy and cheerful (happy ending). The other reason was we don’t wanna upset their stomach by making it on jan’ 1st because there were many other parties who planned to celebrate eve. So we had a great time at the ashram on 31st Dec’ 2006..a happy year end.
Thereafter, all my friends supported my ideas and even I encouraged their ideas and made a very good team work and homework to do something for those kids apart from playing (my favorite pastime). We have listed some 1minute games, memory games, skits, mimes, treasure hunt etc kind of stuff and were waiting for the Sundays to come soon, so that we can meet the children and help them. We have made every visit important to the kids, because the kids are very important for us. From my keen observation I see students and other groups visit the ashram; they don’t know what to do and how to proceed further. Even my situation was so on the day of my first visit. But thanks to the sleepless nights I’ve spent after meeting the kids for making me think and use my mind. The very thing my friends and I noticed is the kids used to quarrel very much that resulted in scars all over their bodies. I wanted to do something to stop this. I’ve designed some mimes and engaged my friends to do it. Thanks to every friend of mine for their constant support and involvement in my every move at the Santhi ashram. It took me nearly 6 months to understand their sign language and their gestures. Till then all my visits were just for playtime, except one or two. The happiest symbol is that some of my friends celebrated their b’days at the ashram. My bad luck, I couldn’t make it on jan’ 20, because the kids went to their parents to celebrate Pongal holidays. But happy thing is that their parents remember them in the name of festivals. I wonder when is see my friends crying in the name of home sickness and those lil fellows are always cheerful. The very thing I learned from the children is to be happy all the time and be with full of energy. I get those ergs and ergs of energy in the remembrance of those kids. They are congenitally dumb; still they try to speak something. It’s a good symbol. We’re born with the union of perfectly healthy sperms and ova. But why do some of us misuse the sense organs, speak ill of others, use bad language, become superciliated and use utterly bad language (I’m not generalizing it; I’m pointing only some...). Why not we use the absolutely perfect body and mind, properly? That’s a bad symbol. We are gifted by the god(..our parents) with good, healthy body. Have you ever been to any hospital for mental care? I did a project at the Hospital from Mental Care, Visakhapatnam, which was another turning point. Patients of different ages with different mentalities come up. I realized that all the doctors working there are really equal to god. Kudos to their patience and the way they deal the maniacs. In every step of my life and from every person I’ve been learning something. Coming back to the ashram…the good news is our efforts worked out. We no more see any kid quarrelling with each other. They now keep themselves neat and clean, use the dustbins, wash their clothes properly, respect their fellow beings. The fascinating thing is that these kids dance too well. They can’t hear still they have great rhythm in the body. Wow kids. They are simply awesome. The most unforgettable sign of good fruition is; the kids now know the importance of studies. That’s enough. I’m satisfied. My friends and my efforts never went waste. They did work out. This wouldn’t have been possible for me without the support of my buddies at Visakhapatnam. I’m immensely thankful to them for my lifetime. Team work is always good. My mind never stops thinking for and about the kids. I want to do something for the kids…not only who are at the ashram but also for the kids those who labor, who sleep on roadside, railway and bus station platforms etc. I wanna work for those mentally retarded kids who teach us several lessons. I never felt weak till date when I see such abnormal kids or people rather my blood boils to do something. I feel very weak only when I find myself helpless to them in any angle. I love kids.
Thank you very much for sparing some of you precious time in reading this post. Can I expect any comments from you?
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