It was a happy moment for all when social organisation DISHA made an attempt to bring smile in the faces of destitute or orphan children by sending them to their parents or foster parents here in presence of officials of the district administration, District Child Protection Cell, CWC members, social activists and journalists of the city.
In a ‘Deinstitutionalisation programme with alternate forms of childcare for children living without parental care’, which was held to hand over the inmates to their parents or foster parents, DISHA secretary AK Azad said, “Family is the only best place for a child to live. That is why the initiative has been made to hand over the children who have been rescued from different places to their families at large.” He further said initially the parents or foster parents will be paid an assistance of Rs 500 per month per children and every week, an activist of the organisation would be nourishing the children visiting their respective homes.
On the first occasion, seven children, Pravasini (14), Subhasini (11), Mahima (6), Sila (7), Seema (5), Rathu (10) and Jitan (12) of the rescue home were handed over for their parental care. According to Azad, Pravasini, Subhasini and Mahima were staying with their parents in Secter-1 Basti. In an odd situation, their father died and mother Namita Choudhury was arrested and forwarded to judicial custody. As Mahima was very little initially, she was allowed to stay with her mother in jail and later was shifted by police to DISHA children home where she stayed there with her two elder sisters. On release from jail, the DISHA members identified her and after thorough counseling, the three children were handed over to her.
Sub Collector, Panposh, SB Mishra and Rourkela Municipality EO B Swain, who were present during the handing over ceremony, declared her widow pension.
Similarly, Sila Toppo and Seema Toppo story is also very appealing. After the death of their mother, their father left them on street. Roaming hither and thither, they reached DISHA. And now their aunt Jastibina Kujur has taken their care. Following the death of Rathu Mundari’s parents, his uncle left him in DISHA as he was unable to take care of him due to poverty. Now with the support of DISHA, his uncle Sugi Mundari has taken care of him. The case of Jiten Mundari of Gurundia is totally different from others. After the death of his parents, his grandmother was taking care of him initially. But as of day, he has no family members, who can take care of him. That is why he was staying in DISHA child home. An activist Radhamani Mundari took the responsibility to become his foster mother. On the occasion, besides financial assistance, each child was provided a kit of dress and other daily use materials.