A father's journey to Kota to meet his son ended in tragedy, as he learned of the boy's suicide on his way back home.

Kota, the coaching hub in Rajasthan, has seen another student suicide, with a 17-year-old preparing for IIT JEE found hanging from a fan in his hostel room.

This is the 19th student suicide in Kota this year. Lakhs of students from all over the country flock to Kota every year to prepare for competitive exams and gain entry into India's top engineering and medical colleges.

The deceased student, Manish Prajapati, was from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. He had come to Kota four months ago to prepare for the IIT JEE. His father had arrived to meet him on Thursday, but Manish was not doing well in his studies. He was found dead in his hostel room on Friday evening.

The police said that Manish had hanged himself using a bedsheet. They have not found any suicide note. Manish's father has been informed of his death.

This is the third student suicide in Kota in a week. On August 4, another 17-year-old preparing for the engineering exams was found hanging from the ceiling fan of his paying guest accommodation. A day before that, a 17-year-old preparing for medical exams was found dead with a plastic bag on his face.

The high number of student suicides in Kota has raised concerns about the mental health of students who are preparing for competitive exams. Experts have said that the pressure to succeed in these exams, coupled with the long hours of study and the high cost of coaching, can lead to stress and anxiety.

The government has taken some steps to address the issue of student suicides, such as setting up counseling centers and providing financial assistance to students. However, more needs to be done to help students cope with the stress of competitive exams and to prevent suicides.

Here are some things that can be done to help prevent student suicides:

• Provide more counseling and mental health support to students.
• Reduce the pressure on students to succeed in competitive exams.
• Make coaching more affordable for students.
• Help students develop a healthy balance between studying and other activities.
• Encourage students to talk to their parents, teachers, or other trusted adults if they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

If you are a student who is feeling stressed or suicidal, please reach out for help. There are people who care about you and want to help. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit their website at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.

Non-profit organization Anything Will Do helps underprivileged during lockdown and beyond

Anything Will Do, a non-profit organization, was formed about 4 years ago with a vision to help the underprivileged suffering during the lockdown. They have since provided dry ration (groceries) to over 17,000 families pan India, more than 600 children were given free milk every day through a prepaid system to the nearest milk booths, over 7,000 stray dogs were fed daily and they took care of their medical needs.

In lockdown two, with the help of over 300 volunteers, they were able to save many lives through oxygen concentrators, refills, plasma, blood, medicines, hospital bills settlements, ICU beds, and ambulances. During and post-COVID-19, they helped many children in their education by paying their fees, providing them laptops/PCs or using mobile phones for their online classes, who couldn't afford.

They ventured into education through their campaign called "PROJECTeducate" post COVID where they are setting up Project Educate Centers all across the country in underprivileged areas where children can connect with the rest of the world through online Masterclasses on counseling, motivation, general knowledge & subjective help to students. There are several training programs for teachers to enhance and upgrade their skills. Currently, they have 36 Project educate Centers running.

How does Anything Will Do help underprivileged children?

Anything Will Do has two types of models for their Project Educate Centers:

• PEC in schools/colleges: They put up these centers anywhere in any underprivileged school/college situated in villages or small towns which doesn't have a computer lab. They install computers and other gadgets that are needed to have a computer lab. Each center has at least 5 computers, 1 projector and furniture, etc. Every Friday they invite mentors/guests/volunteers to conduct online masterclasses to provide motivation, general knowledge, counseling, or subject-related help. These classes are very interactive and help students find their way ahead.
• PEC COCO (Company owned, company operated): They take care of the center completely and run free basic computer courses in at least 3 batches

More than 2000 children are taking the benefit of these centers and over 100 students have done their basic computer course so far

How can you help Anything Will Do?

You can help Anything Will Do in the following ways:

• Donate money to support their work.
• Volunteer your time to help at one of their Project Educate Centers.
• Spread the word about their organization and encourage others to donate or volunteer.

Anything Will Do is making a real difference in the lives of underprivileged children across India. With your help, they can continue to provide much-needed support to those in need.

For 32 years, this organization has been a messiah for the needy, feeding thousands of people every day.

This is the story of the Veerji Da Dera organization, where every day, poor people are fed free food and the injured are treated.

The organization was founded in 1989 by the late Trilochan Singh. His sons, Brigadier Premjit Singh and Kamaljit Singh, are now carrying on his legacy. Kamaljit Singh runs a business, while Premjit is retired from the Indian Army.

Trilochan Singh was born in Myanmar and later settled in Delhi. He believed that service to the needy is the highest form of service. After his retirement, he dedicated his life to helping others.

Kamaljit Singh says that his father used to help the destitute and helpless people who would gather near the Shishganj Gurudwara in Delhi. He would clean their wounds and bandage them, and he would also give them free food. People began to call him "Veerji" out of respect for his service.

As Trilochan Singh's work grew, more and more people began to join him. Eventually, an organization was formed, and it is now known as Veerji Da Dera.

After Trilochan Singh's death in 2010, his sons took over the organization. Kamaljit Singh says that today, hundreds of people are involved in the organization, and they all contribute in different ways.

Every day, the organization distributes langar (free food) to the destitute and poor people of Delhi. The langar consists of dal, roti, and rice. The entire langar is prepared at one central location, and then workers deliver it to 25 different locations throughout the city.

The organization also provides medical care to the injured. Workers carry fever medicine, vitamin capsules, and ointments with them, so that they can provide immediate assistance when needed.

Kamaljit Singh says that the organization helps about 100 sick people every day. These people include homeless people, the destitute, and daily wage laborers who cannot afford the cost of treatment and medicine. These people come to the organization for help, and the workers do their best to provide it.

Today, more than 250 families are associated with Veerji Da Dera. They help in every way, from providing ration to providing service. The organization never asks for money from anyone; instead, people donate things like pulses, rice, flour, and medicine.

Kamaljit Singh says that this work is only possible because of the help of so many people. He is grateful for the selfless contributions of those who have helped the organization to grow and thrive. He says that he is never short of resources or helping hands.

11 Female Sanitation Workers in Kerala Win Rs 10 Crore Monsoon Lottery

In June, a group of 11 women who work as sanitation workers in the state of Kerala, India, decided to pool their money to buy a lottery ticket. To their immense joy, they discovered last week that they had won the jackpot of 100 million rupees ($1.2 million; £946,685).

These women are part of a team responsible for collecting non-biodegradable waste from households in Parappanangadi town, located in Kerala's Malappuram district. Typically, they earn around 250 rupees a day from monthly payments made by households and occasionally receive a share of the revenue generated by the local corporation from selling the segregated waste they collect.

Despite their hard work, the women admitted that the income they earned was not enough to meet their needs. Many of them had resorted to borrowing money and taking loans to support their children's education and other essential expenses. To improve their financial situation, they would occasionally join forces to purchase lottery tickets.

The lottery system is mostly illegal in many Indian states, but Kerala's government runs a legal and highly popular lottery program. Private lotteries, however, are banned in the state.

One member of the group, MP Radha, was usually responsible for buying the tickets. Last month, they decided to invest in a 250-rupee ticket for a monsoon bumper prize lottery, which is issued for special occasions like festivals.

Kuttimalu, aged 72, initially felt sad as she didn't have enough money to contribute. However, another member, Cherumannil Baby, offered to lend her half of the required amount, and the two women put in 12.5 rupees each, while the remaining nine women paid 25 rupees each.

To their surprise, the group won the jackpot, but they only learned about their victory a day after the draw when one of them asked her husband to check the results.

The lottery win has brought immense relief and hope to these hardworking women, each of whom has their own compelling story. For instance, Cherumannil Baby, aged 62, had lost her house during the devastating floods in Kerala in 2018. Now, she plans to use the money to rebuild her home and pay off debts.

K Bindu, aged 50, tragically lost her husband to kidney failure last year, and the family struggled to afford his transplant. She now hopes to use the winnings to educate her 15-year-old daughter for a better future.

Lakshmi, aged 49, had been anxious about her family's future due to her husband's struggles to find work as a construction worker, particularly during heavy rains in the state. With the lottery win, she can now focus on her daughter's education.

Leela, aged 56, was facing financial worries related to her daughter's surgery and had already borrowed money for her wedding by taking a loan against her house. The lottery prize will now help ease her burdens.

After deducting government taxes, the group will receive 63 million rupees. Cherumannil Baby and Kuttimalu will equally divide their share of 6.3 million rupees, while the others will each receive 6.3 million rupees.

Despite their newfound wealth, these remarkable women remain dedicated to their community work. Alongside collecting waste, they also contribute to constructing public toilets and installing waste disposal facilities, as coordinated by the Suchitwa Mission, an agency overseeing these efforts across the state.

Even after their life-changing win, the 11 women have committed to continue their sanitation work, acknowledging that it was their collective effort that brought them prosperity.

Shield your soul

 Let them curse you and say ill, Let them assassinate your name. 

All you are answerable to Is your own soul's pure flame.

A snake spits venom forth Because it is in its nature. 

What you say about others, Is what you are, my brother.

So let them talk, and let them rage. Let them try to bring you down. 

The truth will rise above their lies, And you will stand tall, crowned.

For, in the end, it is only What you do that matters. 

Your actions will speak louder Than any words they can shatter.

So hold your head up high, And let your light shine bright. 

The darkness cannot defeat you, For you are a child of light.

Karma is the destiny man weaves for himself

Noticing his shaven head, I asked, “Has something wrong gone in the family?” He said, “Yes, I lost my elder brother.”

Already pained over the loss of my own mother, I asked how.

He said his brother committed suicide. He was a little over 60 years. He had an argument with his wife the evening before and was disturbed. He went to his field and hung himself to the tree.

He was with his wife for four years, prior to which he served his jail term of 15 years.

This had me curious and I asked why jail, to which he said his brother had murdered someone in the past.

I asked if he was an aggressive person to which he said, “yes, he was quite aggressive but not anymore”

We change as we age. We don’t change because we are learned but because we are helpless. We are aging and we can’t continue to be what we had been while we were young and active. When we are physically weak, we are forced to be what is contrary to our original personality, we are forced to be levelheaded (at least look like that), act sensible and wise.

Any death is traumatizing and so was the death of the person who was murdered decades ago. The family suffered irreparable loss and unbearable was the agony that followed later. How could all this pain and experience go in vain! Now his family is going through the same pain and he is witnessing all that while being out of the body.

Brother (murderer) is no more. He killed himself. What is it if not the fruit of his own karma!

We can’t blame anyone for what we are getting. We are reaping what we sowed and will reap what we are sowing now. Nothing is just and fairer than the law of Karma.

Be good, do good. Forgive all.

Life is too short to be revengeful!

कर्मों से डरिए ईश्वर से नहीं, ईश्वर माफ कर देता है कर्म नहीं..

The Nest Man Of India Who Built 2.5 Lakh Homes For Birds

Mr. Rakesh Khatri has built over 2.5 lakh homes for birds and trained over 10 lakh students.

The resident of Delhi, spent his childhood in Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk where sparrows could easily find enough space for themselves because of the old architectural designs.

 “While I was growing up, sparrows would make their nests on switchboards, window panes, balcony, and we were always asked by elders not to switch on ceiling fans because of fear of getting them hurt”, says Rakesh Khatri

After moving to Mayur Vihar, a developing part of Delhi, he discovered that his childhood winged friends were disappearing because the new architectural designs left no room for them.  Besides, people have also become intolerant towards the supposed ‘nuisance’ birds create.

In 2008, Seeing the declining number of sparrows, Rakesh Khatri decided to quit his profession of photography & Short filmmaking and started building nests for birds.

His attempt with coconut husk and crumpled newspaper brought no fruitful result,  he then started making these nests with bamboo sticks and placed them in various parts of his colony.

To everyone’s surprise, there were four sparrows in each nest he placed within a few days.

Thrilled and delighted, Rakesh continued the process of nest making and to date, he has built 2.5 lakhs nests all over the country. He has also trained more than 10 lakh students to create such nests.

 In order to promote his mission and raise awareness, he founded Eco Roots Foundation in 2012. He contributed his life to environmental preservation and then never looked back.

 “sparrows are my childhood friend, how can I leave them to die”, says Mr. Khatri.

He has been awarded several times for his ambitious environmental mission and dedication towards saving sparrows. He made into the Limca Books of records twice for the highest number of workshops conducted and the largest theatre events on climate change.

He’s also known as ‘The Sparrow Man’ and ‘The Nest Man of India’.

While these nests are home to birds, they also enhance the beauty of nature and surroundings. Do your bit to save these birds.

 

School on wheels bring the classroom to the students

In India's underprivileged and unserved communities, hope sometimes comes on a bus. The project that kicked off seven years ago to bring the classroom to the children with little access to education has seen an enrolment surge since the pandemic hit.

The project ‘Hope Bus’ is a brainchild of Marlo Philip, founder of an NGO Tejas Asia

Tejas Asia has four buses that go to two different locations per day. With that, it is able to cover 8 locations in a day.

Bus mobile school reaches out to communities in Delhi with no basic facilities and no access to education

Children are divided into three groups – Advanced, Intermediate and Beginners. This makes teaching easier. The children are taught English, Hindi, Maths, EVS and GK.

Children with some potential are enrolled in Government schools.

In most cases, both parents leave for work in the morning and the school on wheels tries to fill the gap.

“We, not just give them education, but also love and care they deserve. We even provide them free meals after the class”, says the class coordinator Ebna Edwin.

Children enjoy these classes and look forward to attending the same.

“When I am leaving, they ask me if I will come the next day too. If I am unable to come for some reason, they even phone me. The unconditional love of children keeps pulling me to them. I feel so loved and blessed”, says Anu Singh who has been teaching here for 5 months.

Mim Akhtar joined classes three months ago after she saw more children attending the same. Her younger sister too comes to the classes.

“I used to see the bus coming here daily. Everybody was studying so I too felt like coming and I love coming here.”

Mim doesn’t go to formal school and enjoys learning from the Hope bus.

“I study English, Hindi, and Maths here. They show us videos to help us learn better. I learn music too. Mam also sings very well,” says Mim excitedly.

Her mother Manowara Bibi is a rag picker who hopes that at least her daughter would have a better future.

As the pandemic struck in 2019, Tejas Asia was no exception to staying unstirred. Parents stopped sending children to school and they had to be convinced about the social distancing measures that were being followed. Social distancing meant the requirement of greater space but with extra staff and resources, things could be managed well.

Marlo wishes to have more buses, not just in Delhi but other states too.

“We want to expand the whole program, everything we do under the program Tejas Asia, be it education, food program, water systems, medical program, and whatever that can help these families and these children. Our dream is to see hope in every community and every life”, says the founder of Tejas Asia, Marlo Philip.

This report comes from Bengali Basti in Vasant Kunj, Delhi.

Delhi’s Shyam Rasoi serves full thali for Re 1, feeds over 1000 daily

Could you ever have imagined someone selling a complete thali for just Re 1? Well, you need to visit Nangloi’s Shyam Rasoi between 11 am and 1 pm. See it to believe it. 

You dont have to be poor to have this thali. It is for everyone and people from all walks of life come here for a meal. 

51-year-old Pravin Goyal, who runs the kitchen, says, “around 800-1000 people come here everyday for lunch. Whatever food is left, we serve it in the nearby blind school, leprosy home and old age home. In the morning, we serve tea and bread too at nominal cost.”

   

“Everyone feeds the hungry but here we want their souls to get contented. We serve them healthy and delicious food... one that they can not afford in routine life. We serve them 3-4 curries, dessert, chapati and rice in every meal. Today’s menu has palak paneer, pindi chhole, Punjabi kadi, mixed veg, biryani, paratha and gajar ka halwa. The menu changes everyday. Their happiness and blessings mean a lot to me and motivate me to do a lot more for them. ”

On being asked about how he manages all the expenses, Pravin said, “I am not paying anything from my pocket. I receive vegetables from farmers and others. People donate ration and money too. There is so much love and support coming from people.”

   

Pravin is assisted by some paid workers as well as volunteers. 

He took this initiative two years ago when he priced thali at Rs 10. However, after Covid outbreak, he reduced the price to Re 1 so that no one goes hungry.

The thali is priced at Re 1 but if someone can't pay, they are still served the full meal without discrimination.

Soni, 9, has been eating at Shyam Rasoi for four weeks. The smile on her face reflects how full and happy she is. 

“When I have money, I pay else I don't. Uncle doesn't ask me to pay. He even packs food for my family for free. They serve palak paneer, shahi paneer, aloo paratha, gobi paratha, pakode, etc. I am so glad that they are now serving carrot pudding too. Had this kitchen not been there, we could have died of hunger.”

The tea in my hand is sponsored by Shyam Rasoi

Chandigarh NGO sets up mobile library in minivan to help underprivileged students

In the wake of Covid19 pandemic, an NGO based in Chandigarh has set up a small library in a minivan to distribute books among the unprivileged students.

Sandeep Kumar, founder of the NGO -Open Eye Foundation -collected books from various sources to help the students who can not afford to buy books amid the financial crisis due to Covid19.

“After completing my studies, I got an idea to reuse the books for other students. In December 2016, I started this initiative and organised camps in various schools. People appreciated and came forward to help me with the study materials", said Kumar.

Since then, Kumar has been travelling in his mini van, filled with books and writing materials collected from various houses to make them available to students from slums and colonies.

“Distribution via scooter during lockdown period wasn't feasible so I got a minivan. I give aways masks and sanitary napkins too along with study material,” Kumar further added.Kumar has collected over 40,000 books in the last three years and distributed around 10,000.

Motto of his foundation is ‘Education from Trash’.