Wish you a happy and prosperous Deepawali. Please convey our wishes to all the colleagues, family and friends.
However here is a thought to let you know that why do we or should we celebrate Diwali and we should follow these values if we really want to celebrate the occasion-
It is said that 10,000 years ago Lord Ram fought for the values we, today, take for granted. He fought against a tiny but powerful minority whose values were based on fear, servitude and slavery. Lord Ram came to eradicate these dark values, in favour of respect, love, equality and freedom. His life history is a shining example of how to live out these values to the point of idealism. His respect for his father in accepting an exile without blinking an eye, his love for his brother in fulfilling a promise against all odds, equality to share the food with whom the society looked down upon, freedom to not occupy but rather give back the kingdom to the same race, so as to ensure their proper engagement and integration into the mainstream.
Those values of love instead of fear, devotion instead of servitude, equality instead of slavery, and freedom instead of occupation, are the values which triumphed in the battle of good over evil. These are the values which we celebrate Diwali for. These are the values that lie at the heart of the Diwali message and we should follow same in our lives and in our work all the time, then only true Diwali will be.
Here follows the update for our work-
I am very happy to inform you that inauguration and opening ceremony was held on 23rd Aug. 06 and it was wonderful with Tom Alter, the famous international film actor and celebrity as special guest and Mayor of Gwalior as our chief guest with Anne Goring and Alen Whybrew representing UK and Isle of man on the Dias with me in presence of many volunteers and supporters from overseas and India along with local dignitaries, supporters, family and friends. Unfortunately HE Balram Jakhar, the Governor of M.P. could not join us in person due to illness but was with us in spirits with his telegraphic message and best wishes. We had our first souvenir released which can be seen through link available on our web site. The speech by Bonny was very touching telling our true feelings for this work at Snehalaya having gone through torture in Mercy Home for last four years, which became more effective with its translation in Hindi/Urdu by Tom Alter, our new volunteer and Ambassador. Our web site www.helpchildrenofindia.org is being updated with these details and pictures.
We are obliged for your support, without which it could not have been possible to make this dream come true even to this stage. At present we have 32 children and a total of 70 residents including volunteers. All this is in ten acres of land –the rest of which is reserved for beautiful lawns, garden, farms and orchards. Many of these facilities are open to children from the local community during day time. It has been totally designed as a place for community living — a Care Home for disabled and destitute children, homeless women and the aged, where all live together with love and happiness. Our aim is to make them independent and to be able to live with dignity.
Our programme starts at
We enjoyed a visit from H.H. Jyotiraditya Scindia, Member of Parliament and Maharaja of Gwalior, on 1st Oct. as he could not make it on 23rd Aug. Part of his comments are worth repeating here… “I have not seen such a beautiful place for children with disabilities any where in the world, wherever I have been”. About our facilities he said, “Multi-sensory room is unique facility here and is much needed ….not existent any where in
However we are not stopping at this point!
Plans for starting second phase with a 30 bed hospital, accommodation for staff plus five residential houses for 40 more children are already finalised and being undertaken. We aim to complete them all within one year. So far we have received funds from two sponsors for two houses. As soon as we receive funds for other three houses (£5000 or $10000 to sponsor a house or £1500 or $3000 for a room or equivalent in local currency), we shall start building another row of five houses to accommodate 40 further children.
More importantly funds are required towards maintenance of ongoing work and the need is urgent to sponsor children resident there. Just £10 or $20 per month and or £1000 or $2000 (or equivalent in any currency) once only will provide an opportunity for such a child to live with love and dignity. We request you to help us as much you can in taking these works forward — details on www.helpchildrenofindia.org/snehalaya.html please send your cheques made to Gwalior Childrens Hospital Charity- Snehalaya appeal. You may find it easier to pay on-line through the secure donation link on our website or click on this link now www.gwalior.hospital.care4free.net/donation.html
We welcome volunteers from all walks of life to work with us at our facilities at
On that front we are obliged of Katie Elliot who having worked with us as volunteer for four months this year, wrote a booklet summarising the work and needs of GCHC and Snehalaya which has raised £11500 so far and it still continues. Katie is sure likely to be honoured as volunteer fund raiser of the year. Richard Lewis Levin went for a 77 mile long walk through high hills in
Hoping for your continued support, thanks again, with regards and best wishes,
BK
Dr.B.K.Sharma,