Newsletter & Paper Cuttings
HINDUSTAN TIMES, January 22, 2002
SIX-YEAR-OLDS PERFORM YAJNAS, RECITE SHLOKAS HERE It is a class apart-all six
year olds are capable of performing yajna-pujas at six in the morning and reciting
the Gayatri mantra and other shlokas with elan.
It is the Arya orphanage-a charity institution giving shelter, imparting education
and inculcating the values of Arya Samaj in children. These kids have lost either
both or one of their parents or have been left at the mercy of the instituion.
The institution today has six centers, including two schools which cater to the
housing and educational needs of 1100 children.
"In other school, the teachers are just responsible for academics. Here,
we are like mothers, focusing on the overall development of the child", says
Principal of Rani Dutta Arya Vidyalaya.
"We try and bring them at par with the rest of the society so that they do
not face discrimination in the course of their education later", says grandson
of Des Raj Chaudhary and caretaker of the orphanage Nitin Chaudhary.
The orphanage also conducts marriages and has tried to secure jobs for their students.
Many, however, come back and serve the institution. Interestingly, Bal Griha,
which has an average expenditure of Rs. 1,800 per month on each child, runs on
ad hoc grants and donations. The government's grant is a meagre Rs. 225 per
child. -Shruti Maheshwari
THE TRIBUNE, February 5, 2002
SELFLESS TO CORE, IN SERVICE OF THESE LESSER CHILDREN "Anath Kaun Hai,
Jab Bhagwan Sath Hai" (No one is an orphan when God is with him), thus spoke
Maithili Sharan Gupta, the famous national poet. Lawyer-turned-social activist
Viresh Pratap Chaudhary has strived hard to live up to the image of an angel of
mercy for haples children. The angelic presence can be seen in the two Arya Orphanages:
Desraj Parisar, East of Kailash, and Pataudi House, Daryaganj.
It is an ennobling experience to visit the centres. The affection that the children
get is uparalleled. The living quarters are unmatched in hygiene. The food arrangement
is excellent. Educational and vocational arrangements are outstanding. The landscaping
and layout are spiritually satisfying. The inmates are looked after well and the
standard of their education is equally impressive.
As a matter of fact, the two philanthropic centres are an eye-opener to the government-run
institiutions. They have a lot to learn from these centres and should emulate"
the manner in which they are being run.
Hat's off to their president Viresh Pratap Chaudhary and his team. It was started
mi 918 t»y reputed social reformer Swami Shradhanand with 16 children. Only
one centre, Pataudi House, was functional then. Later, with the increase in the
number of children, another centre was set up in East of Kailash in 1967. It was
Des Raj Parisar exclusively for girls. According to Viresh Pratap Chaudhary, right
more than 1,000 children are being brought up i the two centres.
A sum of Rs 1,800 a month is spent on one child. Nothing is charged from them.
The Government is giving only Rs. 225. The rest comes through donations.
HT SOUTH DELHI LIVE, March 20, 2002
GIRLS BREAK OUT OF THEIR LIFE'S SHELL They have come out of their skeins of
sorrow. And now it's springtime. Basking in the glory are five girls. Anju, Anuradha,
Beena, Geeta Rani and Kavita, five young students of Arya Kanya Sadan (an orphanage).
Their unfailing spirit has taken them to new horizons where their dreams stand
close to realisation.
After graduating these girls are now getting 'E-Mind' computer training to become
self-reliant. On the eve of the Women's Day Xansa, a business consulting, information
technology and outsourcing company, formally admitted them to a computer course
at its Lajpat Nagar training centre.
Consisting of true semesters, the programme offers a wide array-from basic introduction
to graphic design and multimedia for the web, to a project that provides exposure
to real-life development experiences.
This initiative has given a lot of hope to over 300 girls (between the age group
12 and oy$£ 18, years) living at Arya Kanya Sadan, East of Kailash.
Established by Chaudhary Des Raj in the 50s, the Sadan is being currently run
under the guidance of Viresh Pratap Chaudhary. The 10-acres land in C-Block, East
of Kailash, also houses a senior secondary school, recognised and aided by Delhi
Government.
The school is imparting quality education to girls since 1968.
THE HINDU, July 15, 2002
AN INSTITUTION WITH A DIFFERENCE The ability to forget a sorrow is childhood's
most enchanting feature. But becoming a destitute in infancy is a sorrow that
adheres for the whole life. Children left unaccompained at an early age confront
problems that not only affect their lives but also their mind-sets about life
and living.
Many institutions have been set up to bring up and educate solitary children and
make them self-reliant. One such is the Arya Orphanage at Daryaganj in the Walled
City. Founded by the national and religious leader, Swami Shradhanand in 1918
with only 16 orphans, it now has over 1,000 children.
Lest the children suffer from inferiority complex by their identification with
the term "Orphan", the authorities have named the boys' section "Arya
Bal Griha" and girls segment "Arya Kanya Sadan".
The children are provided all amenities lodging and boarding, clothing, education
and medical treatment. Due to the ever-expanding need for space, another branch
for girls was built in East of Kailash a few years ago. The area comprises two
institutes Krishan Dutt Health centre which specializes in nature cure and Yoga
training and the Chandra College for Yoga along with a school and a hostel. It
also has a vast computer laboratory for children.
For promoting the psycho-somatic development and widenting their mental horizons,
children are encouraged to participate in numerous Programmes and Celebrations.
They are taken to hill stations every year and provided opportunities for entertainment,
health-rejuvenation, exposure to the outside world and knowledge.
"This is an institution with a difference. The manner in which it cares for
children has impressed me and the dedication of the staff and management is praiseworthy",
says the former Director of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, Rajghat, N. Radhakrishnan.
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