Kshana - Moments of Happiness

At Kshana, we wait for Diwali event; it’s that time of the year when festivities are at its peak. This year we held the event at the Bandra East Community Centre with 45 really active boys. Our excitement coupled with their super energy — the event was a blast!

We started by dividing the boys into smaller groups, giving them one socially relevant theme and they had to enact a skit on the same. We had some hilarious acts with the little boys playing roles of old men, women and narrators. A Kshana volunteer was part of each of the groups and helped the children form a story and enact it too.

While the skits were on, some of the Kshana volunteers were decorating the place with strings of lights and diyas. A few other volunteers were preparing for the next activity. We also served a snack of patties and Frooti which were enjoyed with a lot of chatter and shayaries.

We had a series of tele-games lined up for them, from duck walks, skipping, balancing a book on their head and walking backwards — they had to do it all. A lot of confusion, laughter, a trial round and some more confusion, the teams were ready to battle it out for the final race. With the ritual of “On your marks, get set and go” the boys rushed from their starting points and rushed to the other end for their teams!

The volunteers on the sides couldn’t help but cheer along with them!

We wrapped up the evening with dinner — biryani, raita and boondi ladoos. All the energy they spent during the event was replenished and they wanted us to come back soon. As Diwali gifts we gave each child a pencil case with some stationary — each boy thanked us for them.

Another Diwali event came to an end — Kshana is already waiting for the Christmas event! J

One of our volunteers, Arti Rajesh shared her experience with us, “Getting associated with Kshana realized my dream of doing something more meaningful in life! This association has made me more complete as an individual. Kshana’s pioneer team is the most enthusiastic team I have ever worked with. The events are very well planned and organized.

“I spent a day cajoling community centre children. We laughed, giggled and played together. Each child participated well in all the activities. What surprises me is, even being a part of underprivileged section of the society; nothing has stopped these children from being well-mannered and knowledgeable. Then what stops us from loving and respecting them?

“The Kshana event made me figure out that ‘My smile broadens when I see others smile!’ What I gained was much more than the time I contributed.

I couldn’t have asked for a more pleasant day than a day in Kshana style.”

We walked into the verdant surroundings of Assisi Bhavan on the afternoon of April 10, 2011. Tucked in a corner of a road behind Oberoi Mall, Goregaon, this serene expanse of tranquillity is just what these 60-odd residents need. The happy-go-lucky residents live life to the fullest, enjoy every moment that they have and cherish each memory.

Armed with earthen pots, flower saplings and paints — we marched into their lovely abode and got them to put their painting skills to work! They readily took up the challenge and rolled their sleeves up! Each resident painted these pots in whichever way they liked and showed it off to the rest of us with such pride. We had mangoes, flowers, rainbows and various colourful patterns! All the pots were arranged neatly in the open area to dry. They were done with this activity in a matter of 45 minutes and were ready for the next part.

Next, we set up a big huge screen, a projector, connected a laptop and speakers and screened ‘Madagascar’, the animated movie for them. They became one with the animation, squealing and laughing at almost every second! The interval came, with some lovely veg. cutlets, mawa cakes and cool chaas.

Each and every one of them enjoyed the evening, blessed us and wanted us back really soon!