THE PROMISE  

 They belonged to a rural tribal colony in the ‘catchment areas of Idukki dam’.  Away from the city their settlement lacked every nuance of development and growth. They didn’t posses the land in which they toil and live in.  They didn’t have good roads and transportation facilities. They were unaware of the urbane lifestyle and they didn’t even know what sophistication meant. Yet they were happy with life …!!

Geethu and Radhika with their wooden horse

 “Chechi penne... (elder sister)”, they called me to their side. Moved by their love and innocence I slowly walked to them.   It has been long since I was called so affectionately. The two little angels, Geethu and Radhika, smiled at me lovingly and it was an invitation into their world. Surprised by the unusual visitors and although a bit shy and reticent, it took only a few moments to shed off the veil of strangeness between us.

It was during one of the official visits to Idukki that I met the two little girls at an ‘Anganawadi’ (courtyard shelter – an initiative by the Government of India as a part of the Integrated Child Development Services). It was really sad to see the ruined building, a place where these tiny tots marked their entrance into the world of letters and wisdom; Anganawadis are in a way equal to the ‘Lower and Upper kindergarten’ in rural India.

Anganawadi

Our attempt was to find out innovative renovations which can catalyze the metamorphosis of these kids; to equip them in better ways to meet the challenges of the modern world. Children are the key to happiness and as Paulo Coelho rightly said “A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.”  

 It was time to bid adieu to the little ones.  But it was not a farewell forever. I am looking forward to a return journey to this beautiful world to keep the promise made to them. When children fill our world with love and joy the best thing we can provide them is an atmosphere for their blossoming into a good Human being.

.

Aneena