Long Walk Home
Just to
let you into a simple perspective a good place to live ones life is a place
where you have great community support
and a secure & harmonious atmosphere. Matunga is well ranked in both of
this.
Live
example being the NGO’s operating in Matunga . If you walk towards King Circle in one of its by lanes near Bhaudaji road is the Shradhanand Mahila Ashram. A NGO with vision of “To help Create a world free of destitute women and children”
This
Hindu Women's Welfare Society was started in the year 1927 in memory of Swami
Shraddhanandji(Munshiram).He was disciple of Maharshi Dayanand,the founder of
Arya Samaj in 1875. Swami Shraddhanand
felt the need to have shelter for Hindu women who faced problems due to
social,cultural circumstances prevailing at that time and he expressed this to
his contemporaries, Shri B.G. Kher, Barrister Jaykar, Shri R.D.Birla and Shri
V.L.Napoo,etc. They established the Ashram & within 2 years many women
sought shelter in this.Currently it is working with 180 orphans of aged 0-18 in
balgruha and also run a shelter for women.
The Ashram is a Home for needy children
including court committed ones. It Provides education, training in home making,
tailoring and embroidery. The organization runs a Special Care Center for
abandoned babies and children are given in adoption. Girls stay till they are
self supportive or married. The organization also arranges marriages at the
Ashram. What donation it collects from the donors they spend on Sponsorship to the needy students from rural areas. They also run an Orphanage for boys aged
between 0-5 years.
The
boys are referred to other Ashram after attaining 6 years of age if not sent in
adoption.
The
Ashramkanyas from 6-18 years attend different schools in the neighborhood. They are also coached in many co-curricular activities such as music,dance and
sports.They are taken for educational tours.In house competition are organized
for them.Workshops in handicrafts,ceramic painting and mehandi are organized
for them.
The
Ashramkanyas are grouped in houses and housekeepers are there to supervise
them.There are qualified social workers who nurture them and look after their educational
& emotional needs.
The
shelter and Balgruha are registered with the Commissioner of Women & Child
Welfare Office,Pune,Maharashtra State.Grant-in-aid(Non-salary) is received from
them. The
Ashramkanyas above 18 years attend college,vocational courses.They are also
married through the Ashram on receiving suitable proposals.Some of them
undertake vocational courses and work outside.
The Ashram also run a women's hostel for the
working women. And gives them a safe environment to live and work in Mumbai
till they find an alternate accommodation on their own.
Just
ahead is the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy home
for the children . The Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Home for Children was founded by late
Sir Rustom P. Masani and late Sir John Wardlaw-Milne in the year 1916. It is
the oldest institution in the city of Mumbai devoted to the work of protection
and care of destitute children, irrespective of caste, colour or creed. It
started its work in 1917 with a small shelter at Grant Road. It was felt
necessary to form a Society for the purpose of solving the problems of
destitute children satisfactorily and thus The Society for the Protection of
Children in Western India was founded.
Later it was shifted to its present premises at King's
Circle, Matunga, Bombay in the year 1921. The Home was named after the late
Hon'ble Mr Byramjee Jeejeebhoy, C.S.I, in 1916, after a donation of Rs. 50,000
was received from his grandson, late Rustomjee Byramjee Jeejeebhoy.
Most of the children admitted in the Home face a common
problem: they are either parent less, unwanted in their own family, from broken
families, lack care and protection or have irresponsible guardians. These
factors cause them to take to street life which results in them either
associating with bad elements or falling victims to adult criminals.
The home provides facilities for physical fitness, sports and
games, recreational activities, outings, library, etc. Our children are
encouraged to observe National days on all important religious festivals to
foster a spirit of brotherhood, love and tolerance among children of
different communities.
The main activities of this Home are to work for the overall
welfare of children and protest against
exploitation of children. To provide home for the destitute children and to
impart formal education in an ambient atmosphere.
One
of its objectives is to take action for the enforcement of the existing laws
for the protection of the children, and if necessary, to suggest new laws or
amendment in the home. The society proposed legislation towards protection of
children and as a result, the Bombay Children Act 1924 came in to being.
A true home for the marginalized children in the society,
nurturing them and giving them wings to fly and rise up in the society.
As I walk
back home , I am engulfed by the memories of the year gone by. A year
back I started a walk around the neighborhood of Matunga , that quaint place
between Dadar and Sion with its small town culture still intact . Clinging to
the core values of inter –community peace and harmony. But also having a
liberal outlook and the adaptability required to change with the times. I have
been fortunate enough to stay in this magical place and grow up here enjoying
all it has to offer. From the foodie joints in every nook and corner to the
community centers , sports clubs to the chaotic market area , beautifully
landscaped gardens to the secluded yet quiet by lanes . The night hot spots for
those mid night hunger pangs to the highly regarded educational institutions.
All crammed in this small yet magical place.
Over the
last 1 year I have been reliving my childhood memories be it watching children play
Lagori or Andhali Koshimbir (blind mans bluff) , visited the numerous restaurants famous for South Indian , Chinese and , Italian. Hogged on the lip
smacking fast food on its streets. Enjoyed finding out newer joints that have
spring up and spicing up the mundane life.
Hope you
enjoyed the journey with me through my blogs….
Happy
Reading……
Zindagi
Ek Safar hai Suhana ……Yahan kal kya ho kisne janaa
Chand
Taron se chal na hai aage ….Aasmano se badhna hai aage
Pichhe
reh jayega ye zamana….. Yahan kal kya ho kisne janaa
Haste
gate jahan se guzar …. Duniya ki tu parwa na kar
Muskurate
hue din bitanaa… Yahan kal kya ho kisne janaa
Maut aani
hai aayegi ek din.. Jaan jani hai jayegi ek din
Aesi
baton se kya ghabarana … Yahan kal kya ho kisne janaa
Zindagi
Ek Safar hai Suhana ……Yahan kal kya ho kisne janaa
Par is zindagi me ik baar Matunga
zaroor aana…..
I stumbled upon your blog while trying to look up BJ Home on the Internet. I guess this is the centenary year of this fine institution. I must have passed this place few thousands of times but never knew it is the first institution of its kind in the city. Sadly there is very little information about it on the Internet.
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