Sacred Social Service

Acknowledgment : Sai Krishna GR. The entire narration is by Sai.

My friend Sai, had been to Udhavum Karangal today. Its located 1.5 km from the Thiruverkadu entrance and it is almost near the Thiruverkadu Bus stand. He was actually stopped before entering the gate for paying a toll of Rs.20/- for the State welfare. While he was paying the levy, he saw two other cars both were inquiring for the same address and they went off. So, he was made to wait for a while since the ticket booth officer was searching for change that he had to give the two car drivers. He didnt mind about that, and started inquiring about the details of SANTHI VANAM (one of the branch of Udhavum Karangal) and he got its address. He followed one of several cars which were going there and was amazed by that.

And the same way, he also followed the car and saw the main block of Udhavum Karangal. But was searching for the entrance to get his car inside, all the while watching the Ramakrishna Mission School present in the right. Suddenly he felt alone, when he saw front, he found those cars missing. "Hmmm, nothing mysterious. I jus found the Entrance" Sai Said.

The very moment he entered the place, he could feel the serenity and pleasant atmosphere. Despite the fact that, Chennai is torrid this time of the year, the entire place was cool like a hill resort, the place fully surrounded by trees. He then dropped off his parents and parked the car to get into the reception desk. They actually reached there by 12pm, but the actual lunch time was around 1pm. They actually felt great for being there soon, because they had a keen interaction with the people there. Santhi Vanam is a branch of Udhavum Karangal which has kids aging 2day old and elder people (96 yrs old).

At the main reception desk, they were informed about the food timings for the kids after a brief wait at the main hall. By that time, Sai went out to have a look at the ashram and found senior citizens, who were unable to help themselves, being fed by the care takers. He could recollect the newspaper article which featured an article on care taking at Udhavum Karangal, which initially he felt to be an advertisement motive. He realized how wrong he was, al the while being grateful for the care takers affection.

The people, who ever they are, either young ones or the old ones are educated, fed, given cloths, and all comforts free of cost, from the donations collected across the world. After a brief talk with the person at the reception he came to know that. Mr. Vidhayaakar, the founder of this trust visits each and every unit of Udhavum Karangal daily. He wants it to be maintained very hygienic and it’s nice to see that, the organization takes care of the females they raised from childhood until their marriage, which also they take care of. It seems Mr. Vidhyakaar takes care of the entire life of every being at the ashram, proudly stating himself as their father.

Another interesting fact which Sai found out was that there were many people coming out of this organisation who were in the best of their classes and they are helping out this organisation to serve better.

The best part comes here.

After a while they were invited to the dinning hall. He was really moved by the trainers in the Ramakrishna Mission School, who are training these guys out there for free. Not even knowing whom they were, they wished Good afternoon, showed their affection towards human, which had been ripped off their hearts to be let alone in an ashram.

There were some 100 kids waiting in the dinning hall who seemed to be very happy to have their lunch with a sweet as a starter. They find it hard to get such a special meal, which would cost them too much. It is really appreciable that, the food was of good quality; quality was not at all spared by these kids at any cost. These kids, without fail, pray before having their food. They first pray for Mr. Vidhyakar whom they fondly call as Papaa in his organisation. Then pray for the organisation helping them, thank and pray for the person who s donating food for them. The next dining hall was for the kids below 6 yrs and they were also served in the same manner.

They went to the Kids care centre those below 3 yrs in the campus. Those kids who were playing were really very cute and it feels that these kids are not the unlucky ones, the unlucky ones are those kid's parents who left them alone. One thing that really made me feel bad was a very happy smiling 10 months old kid, Charu who was left in front of the gate in a rainy evening when she was a 2 day old kid.

This really upset him and was cursing God for this kid’s plight. If the Kid was not given here, she might be in a very bad stage. She said a very loud bye, when they left. While coming out of the campus, he really was a little upset on seeing all this, but whole heartedly wished Mr. Vidhyakaar that he must do even more services, to these kids and elders. Everyone must support this godly person by extending our arms to hold this organization firmly.

10 Months Old Charu