VADODARA: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently asked countrymen to light lamps for soldiers guarding the borders, some unexpected quarters had oil lamps lit outside their homes.
These were the dwellings of construction labours and the lamps were lit by children staying there.
It is not as if the children had heard the PM and decided to light the lamps. They were motivated by a chartered accountant (CA) who has been working with them for over four years. He has been looking into their needs of education, nutritious food and takes steps that make these children happy.
“I started cycling around 4.5 years back and used to see these children outside their homes or at construction sites. Initially, I used to offer them some food and interact with them. I realised that they were very talented and smart,” said CA Gaurang Parikh (63) who daily reaches out to 120 to 130 children.
Parikh decided to celebrate festivals with the children in a unique way. “For instance, they make mud Ganesha idols for the Ganpati festival and immerse them in an eco-friendly way. They make drawing on Independence Day or lamps for Diwali,” said Parikh.
The CA has also been looking into the need of education for these children. “I give them books and ensure that they are introduced to alphabets. An NGO teaches them,” said Parikh. He has also tried to ensure that children go to the nearest government school for studies. The children wrote their names on papers and these were pasted on their homes like name plates so that children felt proud.
Apart from this, tips on cleanliness, personal hygiene and other such aspects are also given to the children. Parikh says that many are now sponsoring material or even food for children. “Those who are aware of my work get in touch with me whenever they want to donate. A family recently gave different food items to the children for 13 days after the death of a relative,” Parikh said.
The children have now made clay lamps and coloured them. “They will take these lamps to their homes during Diwali. We are also giving them Rangoli colours. They will make a Rangoli and light the lamp in it,” said Parikh.