C'da,
I fully agree with Santanu. It is dedicated NGOs like RVC that will make the difference in so many lives that have fallen from the radar screens.
This time, Alpana & I were also fortunate to meet another group at Guwahati. The 'Ashadeep' is also a non-profit orgnization which takes care of mentally-ill women. It is a kind of half-way home for these unfortunate women. Most of the women are picked up from the streets and taken care of - till they are better.
We also had the unique opportunity of visiting one of their locations (they have quite a few in Assam). In this location, there were around 10 women - ranging from 18, 19 to their 50s. These women are in different states of mental illness. They are taught some skills, survival skills, and cooking. They are made to read (many of them can read - but don't want to) and write their thoughts. The place is well staffed (some of the staff were former patients) and guarded.
It is run by one Mukul Goswami and his wife Anjana. Both work tirelessly, and Goswami doesn't take a salary. His wife make the grand salary of RS. 4000 a month. Mukul is an ex Edmundian and we exhanged many stories.
Of course, like all such groups, they depend on grants. And such funds are scarce. Some of the problems are unique. Mukul was describing how neighbors in some of their localites OPPOSE that they have a center in their midst. Some of these educated neighbors complain ' Eh! raatipua, raatipua, e swaali boor sai thakebo nuaru nohoi' - because the centers take the women on morning walks (as a part of the therapy). Some of these neighbors have also closed access to pathways etc - in essence making life more difficult for these people.
Anyway - I have a lot more on Ashadeep, if people are interested.
Ram
On 1/3/06, Roy, Santanu <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Dear Chandan-da:
Thank you for writing about the RVC. It was very uplifting. I think we should try to do something to help in our own small ways – whenever we can.
Of course, hats off to the people who dedicate their life and skills to such organizations.
For me, a greater sign of hope is the fact that an environment for such voluntary enterprises exists now. I don't think it would have been possible fifteen or even ten years ago. The success stories of some skillful and dedicated NGOs in other parts of the country (along with the bad eggs that are just out to make money), the recognition they receive now from society at large and the incentives from international bodies and global voluntary organizations that are a part of the integration of the Indian economy into the global economy – have created some of the essential conditions for sprouting of such activities in more neglected areas of the country where none but the missionaries had gone before. I also think it is a sign that sufficient "peace" exists for people to feel secure enough to work in such long term projects and that bodes well for the future.
Regards,
Santanu.
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