A time to remember

                                                                                                    Ankur Bora

There are individuals who choose to act with courage and kindness no matter how daunting the task is. We have seen, time and again, how considerate and kind actions not only have the capacity to change the world, but our very consciousness. More than a decade ago, I met such an individual who introduced me to the joy of a “life in service”. Lukose  Cheruvalel was born in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Young Lukose decided to move to Assam, a path yet untrodden. With courage and passion for serving, he dedicated himself with grace and compassion, to the service of street children.

In the year 2006, Father Lukose  visited  America on work purposes  and I was fortunate to meet him in person . He came to our residence in Dallas and it was one of the most memorable moments for me. I was totally impressed by his fluent colloquial command over the Assamese language. He spoke Assamese like a native would. A very humble and delightful man with love as if radiating from his very being, Father Lukose exuded his mission to save street children from the horrific clutches of desolation and abandonment. Our conversation led to many memories and reflections of his past stirring experiences. There were a number of people who helped shape his life and destiny and notable among them were Mother Theresa – “It was at Mother’s funeral that I resolved to start the Snehalaya homes.”  Father Lukose truly believes that the search for God ultimately leads to children, as they are His most precious gifts to humanity and thus he founded the Snehalaya Homes in Guwahati in 2001. With unwavering patience and persistence he led the organization which became a caring home for homeless and lost children.

Every child of Snehalaya has his or her own tales. “They face harsh realities of life. It will be of great help to them if they get the opportunity to expressing their feelings and emotion in a creative way. It's our duty to heal their pains and make them happy," Father Lukose was narrating some of the heartrending stories while seeking donation and support from the expatriate Assamese of America. One was the saga of a mother and a father and their agonizing wait of ten years to find their long lost daughter. 

Ramua and Savithri used to struggle every day to meet their ends. They were too poor to provide their daughter Bakuli two meals a day. Thinking of a better future for her, the parents with a heavy heart, agreed when an effluent family came and offered to keep Bakuli as a domestic help.  To part with their little daughter was heart wrenching to say the least but hoping that their little one would not only receive shelter but also avenues for basic education and a better future they tearfully bid their farewell goodbyes. Little did they know that their five year old daughter would be treated harshly which would eventually cause her to run away. This incident happened almost ten years ago; no one including police helped them to locate their daughter. Bakuli was almost forgotten by all who knew her in her village, but not by her parents. Her mother would weep for hours every day remembering her little one.

As the story goes, Bakuli escaped from that family and landed in the Guwahati railway station. There she wandered around   for several miserable and haunting days, alone and vulnerable, frightened and hungry. Then one beautiful day, as if God came and lifted her up, offering hope and comfort, when she got rescued and brought into Snehalaya. Thus Bakuli moved from the dark and sordid days in the railway station where her future would be doomed and bitter to a place of love, warmth and security. She was provided with education, support and opportunity throughout her long ten years stay in Snehalaya. However, Bakuli was not able to forget her family. She would cry for hours remembering her parents and her little sister. Father Lukose tried all means to locate her lost family. He even called a press conference requesting popular newspapers to publish her story with the hope that someone from her family would come forward to own her. Fortunately, the news was picked up by the parents and finally the family was reunited. It is a true story of courage, hope, compassion and persistence with a reinforcing message that such miracles can happen even in the most unfortunate circumstances. 

Visitors to Snehalaya ( Biju Barbarua , Lanu Aimol , Debojit Bora , Bidyananda Barkakoty . Late Kaushik Das)

This story simply demonstrates how human beings when given the most basic emotions of love and attention, find significant transformation and discover their humanity , dignity and happiness. I, personally, am moved by two things in that story of Bakuli. One is the courage shown by Father Lukose – the bravery in his decision to open a free residential care for exploited children and his determination to eliminate trafficking of young children from labor and abuse. The other thing that lives within me is his compassion – compassion so profound that Father Lukose still inspires us even a decade later.   

In the last fifteen years Snehalaya, through various initiatives, is taking the young at risk off the street and making them self- reliant through education and skills training. They continue to reunite lost and run-away youth with their parents. However the institute itself is going through a difficult phase. “At present we have about 230 children both boys and girls. With rising expenditure, it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide for all the children” – We recently received a communication from a staff of Snehalaya seeking donation and financial support.    

As a child, my grandmother used to tell me, “Whatever you give to another will return to you ten times.” At this Festive Season of the Year, when abundance rejoices, let us remember that there are many among us who are in want of common necessities and there is no surer way to attaining infinite joy than giving back to society. Let’s give your time, your talents, and your donations to make a difference in other people’s lives. By giving, you express abundance and let your thought, word and action be the reality of your life. 

                                                                                    ankurbora@hotmail.com