Inauguration of a new hostel for the inmates of Vatsalya Vatika- which was started humbly in 1999- saw the boys showcasing their talents and proving beyond doubt that such boys from the humble backgrounds can go a long way if their inherent talents are nurtured a little.
James, a boy from Tripura and a class VII student of Bahadrabad inter-college, presented an inspiring narrative in Hindi, the language in which he could have hardly said a word, let alone expressing himself, a few years ago. Many such poor boys who are growing up in the Vatika have learnt things away from the school curricula which show them as flowering into fine and accomplished citizens of the country. The Haridwar MP Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank inaugurated the new hostel on the occasion of Makar Mahotsav.
Another boy, Mayank who was leading the musical band performed a dance ballet based on the theme of Lord Shiva’s ‘Tandav Nritya’ the brilliance of which, presented on the auspicious occasion, left those present spell-bound. “Now my children would not be required to be sent here and there as a 40- bed facility hostel has come up in the school on donations,” said the manager of Vatika Pradeep Mishra. Notably, the Vatika has 80 inmates hailing from across the country.
“Till they get into class V, the boys here are given lessons on arts and the essence of the Indian culture as per Vidya Bharti curriculum and then they get into one of the three Bahadrabad-based inter-colleges. The society is now recognising this humble attempt and the people bring their children to celebrate occasions together with inmates here,” said Mishra, a retired irrigation department engineer.
Swami Santoshanand of Awdhoot Mandal Ashram pledged to adopt one of the boys for one year on the occasion while Arun Saraswat of SIIDCUL Manufacturing Association proposed to set up a skill development centre to help the inmates acquire skill in various trades so as to make them competent for jobs in industries.