Rid of evils, rehabilitated children turn over a new leaf

CHANDIGARH: From inhaling fluid of typewriter���s ink by pouring it on a piece of cloth to smelling solution of the whitener to go on a high, this eight-year-old did it all. A resident of Colony 5, Manish (name changed) would indulge in consuming self-made drugs and would be all fire and brimstone when this was objected to. The small kid would often get into petty crimes like pick-pocketing and stealing and use foul language.
However, today, not only has he come out of drug-addiction, but he is also studying in class V of a school in Maloya.He is taking keen interest in studies. ���I want to become an engineer,��� he says shyly when asked about his ambition.
The story of Rani (name changed) and her siblings is not very different. Beginning her day, this 12-year-old lass would walk barefoot from Colony 5 to the traffic lights of sectors 8 and 17 along with her two younger sisters and a brother, the youngest of them being barely two years of age, with an aim to make enough money by begging to be able to buy liquor for their blind father who would otherwise beat them mercilessly.
Dressed in tattered clothes, these children would stop passersby and beg for money to feed the toddler, carrying her in their arms.
While these two sisters are now studying in Sacred Heart School, the brother is in Saupin���s School.
The lives of these toddlers had a turnaround once they came into the fold of Snehalaya, a rehabilitation centre at Maloya, whose second phase was inaugurated in March this year by UT administrator Gen (retd) SF Rodrigues.
Ambition can lead a person to great heights, says Father Sebastian Jose, director of the organization, who took these kids under his guidance once they were spotted by NGOs or were brought to the organization by any of their relatives.
Talking about the problems faced due to these children, an official of Snehalaya said, ���Manish would often create big mess for employers and his fellow mates, especially when his craving for drugs took over him.���
���He would act wildly at that time. However, we would often try to calm him down and sympathize with him, unlike many who would scold a child in such a situation. In a few weeks, we observed a complete change in his behaviour,��� the official added.
���These children have as much potential as any other child- all they need is guidance and protection from evils of the society,��� said Father Sebastian. ���That���s our endeavour behind starting this shelter,��� he said.
���Snehalaya not only guides them, but also provides them vocational training in activities like pottery, card-making and craftsmanship. This training helps them in being on a par with other kids who have been going to school regularly,��� said Father Sebastian.