Students ask to visit Brighter Future children
It is always heart-warming when young people express an interest in learning about Brighter Future.
Some students from Maharaja College, SSSS college and a couple of ex students from Srinivasa college contacted Victor Director to ask if they could meet the children who live at Shanti Nivas. the girls are hidden by the boys!
The visit was to mark the birthday of one of India's famous heroes - Narendranath Vivikenanda. Born in 1863, his birthday - January 12th. is known as 'India Youth Day'. Swami Vivikenandra was a religious man, philosopher and poet. He traveled widely, learning about many religions and ideas, in India, Europe and in America. His spiritual leader, or guru, was Ramakrishna.
I saw his 20 tenets for a good life inscribed on a pillar in Rishikesh, on my first cycle ride in 1994.
He has many famous quotes. this one is particularly pertinent to Brighter Future's mission.
"If a poor boy cannot come to education, education must come to him."
The students gave the children books about Vivikananda, pens and some dress material. They also played games with the children.
The visit was to mark the birthday of one of India's famous heroes - Narendranath Vivikenanda. Born in 1863, his birthday - January 12th. is known as 'India Youth Day'. Swami Vivikenandra was a religious man, philosopher and poet. He traveled widely, learning about many religions and ideas, in India, Europe and in America. His spiritual leader, or guru, was Ramakrishna.
I saw his 20 tenets for a good life inscribed on a pillar in Rishikesh, on my first cycle ride in 1994.
He has many famous quotes. this one is particularly pertinent to Brighter Future's mission.
"If a poor boy cannot come to education, education must come to him."
The students gave the children books about Vivikananda, pens and some dress material. They also played games with the children.
New mosquito nets.
I arrived back at Vizianagaram yesterday after a trip to North India, to Allahabad and Patna, to visit former colleagues from my days working as a physiotherapy technician in part of the National Leprosy Control programme.
My friend Rajni gave me two boxes to bring on the 24 hour train journey. They contained 25 strong, double mosquito nets. The children sleep on mattresses on the floor under the nets, which tuck in under and around the mattresses.
Vizianagaram has had hardly any winter this year but it arrived 2 days ago with night time temperatures of 14 degrees.With no glass in the windows and concrete floors this can seem pretty cold to the children, I was cold with two cotton blankets, so more blankets were distributed to the children this evening . As it is still the Maker Sankranti holiday, the Hindu New Year, the children have no school and are watching TV as a treat.
My friend Rajni gave me two boxes to bring on the 24 hour train journey. They contained 25 strong, double mosquito nets. The children sleep on mattresses on the floor under the nets, which tuck in under and around the mattresses.
Vizianagaram has had hardly any winter this year but it arrived 2 days ago with night time temperatures of 14 degrees.With no glass in the windows and concrete floors this can seem pretty cold to the children, I was cold with two cotton blankets, so more blankets were distributed to the children this evening . As it is still the Maker Sankranti holiday, the Hindu New Year, the children have no school and are watching TV as a treat.
