CHETANAA PROJECT

A VISIT ON January 12th, 2002

By Anju Anand

Basic Project: Provide a support center for children who go to the schools in the area.

My parents are in Karnal which is 30 minutes drive from Kurukshetra. I reached Karnal on January 11th  evening and called Dr. Sharada kumari. I told her I am interested in visiting Chetanna the following morning. There was a youth festival going in the University during that week and all the University professors were busy in that. Dr. Sharada kumari told me that she will be able to spend too much time with us because of the youth festival. It was acceptable to me because that was the only time available for me and I really wanted to visit the project. Dr. Indra Honda who is the president of Chetanaa called me the same evening and asked me to come to her place first. She gave us the directions to the her place which is in the university campus. We (my parents, my daughter Arti and me) were at Dr. Honda's residence at around 11 o'clock  She had prepared breakfast for us. We enjoyed the Aloo Bhonda and coffee and rushed to the center. Dr. Honda joined us  in our car. 

The center is at a nearby village access to which is through muddy roads. When we reached the center, we were so pleasantly surprised at the warm welcome by the children. There were 2 children standing at the door with bouquet of flowers. Dr. Sharada kumari who is the founding volunteer at Chetanaa was there with three other teachers. A beautiful impromptu cultural program was presented. My parents and me were touched at the warmth showered at us. Children from all age groups presented something:

The surprize of the cultural program was a dance performance by Parmajeet on a Punjabi song. I was very happy to see a very good percentage of female students, almost 50%. Dr. Sharda Kumari was very proud of her children performing so well on stage and I do believe that it is a big achievement. Chetanaa as a center is not only helping the children in their school homework but also developing a well rounded personality. All the children were very well dressed, sitting quietly and listening to instructions. 

We took a round of the school which consists of 3 neatly kept rooms. All the books were neatly arranged. They have a got a computer which they do not have a place to keep. A plot has been purchased right behind where the old school is. We looked at the plot and talked about what all needs to be done. I did not get a chance to talk to Ms. Sharda Kumari and Mrs. Handa because they had to attend the youth festival. Children were also heading for their evening school. We dropped Mrs. Handa back to where she was suppose to attend the festival. I wish I could give more time to the project.  I was very impressed at the outcome of the children - very neatly dressed, confident and eager to meet us.