Today we celebrated Children’s day at Vathsalya. The children waited for this great day with so much of anticipation. Their enthusiasm could be seen from the way they came dressed up in good clothes. Each one had a twinkle in his or her eye thinking about the events of the day. There was so much of excitement seen among the children. We felt it was just uncontainable.

The day began with getting them ready for the program. Our main artist was Narasamma was dressed in a beautiful sari. Narasappa, a 12 year who happens to be Narasamma’s cousin was dressed in a plain kurta and a Nehru jacket. I forgot to mention about Joyce who compered the program. She introduced the reason for celebrating Children’s day to the audience. All the little ones listened to her intently.

The program began with a duet on a folk song - Bhagyada Balegare by Narasamma and Narasappa. They both seem to have a natural gift of dance. This was followed by item numbers like Chhammak Chhallo done by the girls, Why this Kolavery by small boys and a Dhinkachikka dhinkachikka Bollywood dance by older boys. The atmosphere was filled with lot of energy and fun. The children just loved to express their passion for dance so freely.

We were entertained by a comedy skit by the children. Everybody enjoyed the humour.Little Lakshmi who is unable to see the world around her, but hear the rhythm and music around her danced her way much to the joy of the audience.

After the kids enjoyed their hit dance numbers, the teachers danced a Bollywood number for them. The kids joined the staff to dance. It was indeed a memorable day for both the teachers and the students. A special mention of Shyla and Anjan who worked hard with the children to prepare for the program.

Vathsalya Charitable Trust

The Cat in the Rain

                It was raining heavily. I could barely see outside my window. I could make out a dim figure of a lady sitting outside. She was alone and was sipping from a tea cup. The lonely figure intrigued me and despite the strong winds, I opened the window.

                There was something about her face that didn’t allow me to take my eyes off her. There were hard lines on her face. Lines of experience, maybe? Or even hardships? I couldn’t tell. All I knew was she was lonely and was staring at something outside my area of vision.

                 I stretched outside to find out what she was looking at. This was strange. There was a cat out there, getting drenched in the rain. “Why couldn’t the lady get him in? Was she so immersed in her thoughts, that she didn’t realize the cat’s distress? Or was it apathy towards the cat?” I wondered.

                Soon, a man came by. I hoped that the man at least will save the cat. But he just collected the cup from the lady and went back. I was annoyed by both their indifference and decided to shut the window. Just when I was closing it, the lady looked up at me and gave me a piercing look. I stopped in my action.

                The look asked me, “Why can’t you come down to rescue the cat?”

Often in the rain of life, we see young children crying out in the hope of rescue. We wonder why nobody is providing them a shelter. We feel sorry for them and wish that they could lead a better life. We are disgusted by the apathy of the society towards them. Next time before feeling so many emotions, just give a moment of thought as to why you are not stretching your hand out in support to the child.

- Benita Chacko