Narendra Nele - An unusual day

24th september 2006 would have passed like any other Sunday lazing up at home or doing household chores or shopping, but it was not meant to be that way. It was the day when We, a set of around 25 volunteers from ANZ decided to do something for the society.The place we had chosen was a 'Nele' (Narendra Nele) - I think it means Home in Kannada and no name could have been more appropriate for this centre which has been a home to 60 odd destitute and homeless children.In fact it was more than a home for those hapless and innocent kids who had been abandoned by fate, it was their passport to a better life.

We reached the place at around 10.00 and it was one of the most modest places we have seen.Just a godown turned into a really liveable environment.We were greeted by some warm and nice people who offered us a simple, but nice breakfast.We had brought some fruits for the children.The children from other Neles - Nivedita Nele for girls and Namma Nele for boys above 12 years of age were also present. The whole place was very well kept with pictures of all eminent personalities.Should admit we had a lesson or two to be learnt from these small children who had kept the shoe rack so tidy.

Next in line was a really and absolutely wonderful performance by these kids which included dance, music, Yoga and Sanskrit recitals.It really was exhilarating and hurting at the same time to see the children performing.They were real powerhouses of talent , but they needed sponsors to cultivate their talents, to be respected people in the society.The trust which owns the Nele was doing a good job, but their resources are also limited and they needed more sponsors to take these kids's life forward.

After the performances and speeches from the management of the Nele , we headed off for a lunch , again very modest in nature but tasty nevertheless.And after lunch only we got to interact with the kids and swear it was not easy to manage 90 plus bundle of energies.We had drawing,crafts, dodgeball, carrom and magic tricks arranged for these highly enthusiastic children.They were running, fighting, screaming and were all over the place. Quite different from the disciplined children we met in the morning.We interacted with them and entertained them with games and fun for 2-3 hours.The girls, should admit, were a very quiet and obedient lot compared to the hyper active guys.Some of the drawings these kids made were to say the least, amazing, very artistic in nature and usage of colours.

And then it was time for evening tea for us and milk for children.We distributed the prizes for drawing competition for winners amidst the clamouring of other children who did not win.We also distributed all the goodies we got for them like erasers, pencils, sketch pens, crayons, books, CDs, tapes etc.

It was time for us to leave,we just assured them that we will be back again and will spend time with them and left the place with a mixed feeling of content and sadness in our hearts. Content for utilising some time of our lives in doing something meaningful and sadness thinking about scores of such children who are still loitering in the streets for one square meal. May be organistaions like this should come more and we as responsible and priviledged citizens should contribute both in terms of time and money to light up a little world or two.