C.M. Paul sdb
KOLKATA, SAR News, 21 December -- "Institutions like Don Bosco Ashalayam make me feel proud as the Governor of this state," said West Bengal State Governor, Mr. Viren J. Shah, inaugurating the 23rd Ashalayam home for street children.
Alighting from his state car, street children mobbed the governor with their show of affection clinging on to both his hands. "They hung on to every one of the fingers, that I had to be content to let dignitaries shake my arm," said the Governor in his impromptu speech.
"I tell other schools that we need to learn how facilities can be utilized for benefit of deprived children," said West Bengal Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Technical Education, Self-Employment and Minority, Shri Mohammed Salim.
"I am sorry that Mayor is not here," said Shri Salim, "so that he could see for himself and make available more corporation facilities for similar work for street children."
"True to its name Asha Nayan (Hopeful Eyes) will open the eyes of people to go beyond petty narrowness and do something positive," said the minister in-charge of all the departments concerned with the Don Bosco Youth Empowerment.
Kochi and Bangalore Municipal Corporations work alongside Don Bosco in street children’s rehabilitation programme.
Claiming his 15-year connection with Don Bosco, Shri Sovondeb Chottopadhyay, local MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) said commenting the Salesians and their collaborators " I feel proud to be one of them, working for the poor street children and destitute."
Local Municipal Counsellor Mrs. Nabi praised the efforts of Ashalyam which chose the place Linton Street "where 75% of people live in dingy and dark lanes".
Ninety nine percent of the population of this neighbourhood is Muslim," said Mr. Sen Gupta a computer supplier and well wisher of Ashalayam, who donated refreshments on the occasion.
Of 23 Ashalayms in Calcutta, Howrah and Nadia districts sheltering some 500 and serving another 2,000 children in the streets and Howrah and Sealdah railway stations, four centres are for girl children. The Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians, Holy Family Sisters of Bhagalpur and Sisters of Providence (SOP) look after them.
There are over 60 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) trying to reachout to an estimated 100,000 (one lakh) street children in Kolkta. One such NGO founded in 1985 is Don Bosco Ashalyam (Hope Home). It has over 300 children who pursue studies in regular schools like St. Lawrence Ballygunj and St Peter’s Moulali. While several children have returned home, some 80 boys are employed in various sectors, some 45 have purchased their own plots of land. Another 30 have built their own houses and 24 have married and settled down.
Archbishop Lucas Sirkar, SDB of Kolkata blessed the facility in the presence of Salesian Provincial Fr. John Berger.
Twenty fourth Ashalayam, called Asha Nirmala, fifth shelter for girls will be opened later in January 2003
