I know many heroes and heroines among my friends. Most keep off the limelight, unheeding of ir. And in many ways that is what I respect most about them.
I got to know
Vidya Subramanian
over a FB friend request. She was keen to do something, but uncertian on where to start. We discussed possibilities many times. Then one day she said she was going to send me money for milk for the children in the village. I asked her to wait, that it would be best if she could start it in a place on her own, so that the goodness of #JevaniMilk would spread further. I discussed with Dr. Girija, Sanjeevani. Dr. Girija was firm that Vidya should start on her own. "It is only when we work on the ground that our elitism gets challenged. And we grow."https://www.facebook.com/aparna.krishnan.902/posts/1791557594236870
A meeting happenned in Sanjeevani. Discussions. Vidya had raised commitments from her family and friends. Sanjeevani committed more money. She found a government school near her home. And started. Classes 1-4. Children of daily wage labourers, maids.
Given her own busy commitments as a chartered accountant, she kept alternate mornings free to make sure things were on rails in the school.
i watched her trajectory with interest. The same heartaches, the same learnings that all of us engage on the ground have to face. The utter malnourishment that stalks our land. The headaches and palpitations and dizziness that small children routinely have - unthinkable to us enconsed in our safety. Having to face our privilege as opposed to the reality of the majority.
One day, "Ma, the seventh standard boy came and told me, "Cant I also have the same milk my brother is having ? I have the same headaches, the same pains. ... " More money was needed.
Suresh Ediga
stepped in and raised commitments for the remaining children.The headmistress requested doctor visists. Sanjeevani organized those. The parents came to get their children the best of ayurvedic treatment.
Another government school headmistress has contacted her, asking if her children can also help.
Vidya has shown that the first step taken with apprehension on the ground, leads to further steps.
We need many Vidyas.
We will help with all process details, and in any other way. Most of the children in our country are anaemic and malnourished. Milk and askwagandhadhi and loha bhasmam helps them like nothing else does.
The children regain health. We regain something far vaster. I do not know the word for that.
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