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Akhil- Football is his passion |
Name: Akhil
Age: 11 years ( approx)
Home town: Ernakulam
Family back ground : His mother, Mini is a daily wager and his father, Kunjumon is falsely implicated in a petty case and is behind the bars. The family's financial condition does not allow them to engage an advocate to contest the case. Both his younger brothers of Anish and Nikhil are in santwanam poor home.
How he reached here: His mother who strives hard to make both ends meet, left all her three sons in charity homes as she had no other option.
Akhil eats, drinks and breathes football. I could sense the excitement in his voice as he talked in detail about the gifted football player from Brazil, Ronaldinho and the English soccer star David Beckam. According to him, not many players can match the sheer pace and elegance of these legendary players. I was awestruck to note that he closely follows the game and has all the facts and figures right at his finger tips.I decided to change the topic when I found that our conversation was veering off target.
What is your favorite subject? Pat came the reply ; 'I like English and Science and I want to be a successful break dancer when I grow up'. I was astonished by his rather quirky choice. You are good at studies and you could easily be a successful doctor, lawyer or teacher. I opined. Then why do you want to be a dancer ?
He justified his choice effortlessly. 'I believe in doing what I love the most. Break dancing is my passion and I love to make it a profession' The confidence in his eyes and the optimism in his words was very much palpable in the air. I was happy for him and his personal choice, which came straight from his heart. 'Just follow the instincts and do the right things, success could be yours', he added. He might have gained these words of wisdom from his own experience. As they say, life is the ultimate teacher, and Akhil seems to enjoy every moment of it.
As I was getting ready to move on to the next kid, I decided to put my parting shot to him- What is your biggest dream in life? 'A roof over my head'- without batting an eyelid he told in a soft and muffled voice. 'We don't have a house of our own and hence cannot live as a family'. He mumbled to himself as he gazed to the vast backwaters behind us.
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Mohammed Sait- cricket and cruise are his first love |
Name: Mohammed Sait
Age: 8 years
Home town: Vellore, Tamil Nadu
Family back ground : He has no father. He and his younger sister Nazreth used to live with their mother, Shamim and grandfather. Irrespective of his ill health, his grandfather keeps the hearth burning by doing odd jobs.
How he reached here: He got separated from his mother during a train journey. When the mother-son duo got out in a crowded station to have some refreshments, he lost his way and his mother boarded the train thinking that her son is with her. By the time the hapless mother realized the truth that her son is stranded in the platform, the train had picked up speed. Helpless and desperate, the little Sait caught the attention of a kind soul, who entrusted him in the safe hands of Sisubhavan authorities.
Mohammed Sait grabbed my attention in no time. Smart and good looking, this tiny boy was making merry with his friends when I met him. He came running as I called out his name and we settled at a shaded spot for a cozy chat. I was more than willing to lend an ear to his story and he was only too happy to answer my queries in the best possible way. ' I miss my family especially my younger sister and after I pass out of here and earn a decent job I would definitely go back to my home'- he told with confidence. Trying to keep the baggage of the tormenting past behind, the sporty Sait tries to be optimistic as he tries to swim with the tide. He has many friends here; infact almost all the inmates of this institute seem to be die hard fans of this little master. I could hear boys calling him and gesticulating him to join them in the football match. He was in no hurry. Cool and poised he seemed so relaxed even amidst this high pitched action around.
'Cricket is my passion' and Yuvaraj Singh , my hero!' he disclosed to me in a single breath. Any particular reason for that ? I asked him to fork out more details from him. With a flashy smile, he told me ' Yuvaraj is young, handsome and hits nothing but sixers!' I recollected that many other boys had shared this same opinion to me; Is it that ideas and dreams are contagious? I wondered.
Well, Sait, Who do you want to be when you grow up? I asked the same old question that I have been parroting to almost all these kids. Speed Boat driver! Curiously enough, not many kids have thought about this exciting option as I haven't heard this from anyone so far! Full credit to Sait for being original and innovative. 'I like the wave spray and the thrill of riding the launch at break neck speed, cutting across the ripples'. He told me, pointing towards a speed boat that jetted past us along the backwaters.
In case he cannot materialize his dreams of this exciting career on water, he plans to soar his wings into the vast skies by being a pilot. 'It is also equally challenging' is int? He looked towards me for an affirmative answer and I nodded in agreement. I could read a sense of achievement in his little face as he led me to his friend Akhil, who was reading a comic strip.
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Raju- Simple and down to earth |
Name: Raju.K
Age: Around 11 years
Home town: Ranchi, Bihar
Family back ground : Father – Kumar sells home made pastries and Lala, his mother has no source of income. He has four siblings. Both his elder sisters are married and settled in Kolkata in East India.
How he reached here: He eloped from his home three years ago and was picked up from the Ernakulam railway station. His father used to beat him ruthlessly under the influence of alcohol. When the going got too tough, one evening he headed straight to the railway station from his school and got into the first available train. Lost and clueless, he landed up in Cochin, from where he was brought to Sisubhavan. Now he is studying in class III.
Raju has a distinct North Indian look that kept him apart in the crowd. His brownish, unkempt hair tossed around by the strong winds and the tall lanky frame grabbed my attention instantaneously. I was surprised to note that he can handle as many as three languages fluently. Apart from Malayalam and Hindi, he is fluent in his mother tongue Bihari as well, though he hardly uses it these days. He vividly described his home town and told me that his house was in a small alley way near the hospital junction and a small rail head runs near their home. He used to spend his free time in the nearby temple courtyard with his friends.
In his new home away from his home, he is happy and contented. He has many friends here and likes to watch Malayalam movies and play cricket and football during his free time. Though the spoken English classes during the weekend is something that he is not very enthusiastic about, he likes to play the games in the laptop of the English tutor.
Raju wishes to go back to his home after his studies; and is anxiously looking forward to meet his siblings though he appeared less enthusiastic about meeting his parents. When I asked him about his future goals and aspirations he appeared lost in thought for a while. After a long silence, he told me that he was willing to take up any job that can ensure him three square meals a day. “ I like to visit big cities like Bangalore and Chennai and travel on and on.
He appeared to me a wanderlust in the making, who would like to travel all his life, exploring fresh avenues and destinations.Simple and practical, Raju, prefers to keep both his feet firmly on the ground unlike many others who like to let their dreams soar high!
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Praveen-in the limelight of hope |
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Name: Praveen
Age: 8 Yrs
Hometown: Njarackal (Ernakulam)
Family: Father, Mother, Grand Parents and 3 brothers together makes a big family for Praveen. Praveen's mother left his father after she couldn't resist his physical abuse. She left home taking Praveen and his brother. Praveen was handed over to Snehabhavan. His brother is also studying in a place like Snehabhavan. Now his mother lives going for household chores. Praveen's father goes for Coconut Plucking in Naval Base. His two elder brothers are older enough to go for work and are now earning a living.
Praveen, seem to be very poised child. He looks too little in appearance. Studying in 3rd standard, Praveen is somewhat alright in studies. Dance is his passion. Dances in single is that what he likes to do. He just needs a song to be put on, the rhythmic steps come out naturally. A 'Dance Master', that is what he wants to be. With a mind full of dreams, Praveen looks at his future with great hope. |
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Jobit- with a vision unclear |
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Name: Jobit Babu
Age: 6 Yrs
Family: Jobit's father Babu died of fever and his mother, Sheela is not normal mentally ill and is admitted in a mental hospital. His brother Kamalu is studying in 10th standard with Don Bosco, an institution for older boys and an extention of Snehabhavan.
Jobit, this smart little boy was brought in Snehabhavan after his mother became mentally ill. Since the last 2 yrs he is in Snehabhavan and studies in 1st standard. He do not know about his whereabouts as he is too little to recollect things. Cricket is his passion and would like to be a cricketer one day. He likes to watch TV and when it comes to cricket matches, he is the one who is mad after. He wants to study but have no idea as to say “ I want to be so....one day..”. But he wants to own a shop or work in a shop. He seems to be very jovial and enjoys the company of other kids in Snehabhavan. But for these kind whose destiny is uncertain needs adequate support and care, to be motivated as a useful citizen of our country. |
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