Vishwas - An Introduction

Our Home. Is what they call it. It is indeed a real home, for the 20-odd orphan children who are growing up under the care of Mrs.Vyjayanthi Raman.

Mrs. Raman was interviewed by The Hindu newspaper, in the column that features people who have extraordinary achievements to their credit. This is probably the best way to get to know Vishwas, so quoting it -

Home, hearth and warmth
Article from The Hindu, 26 July 2006

[Reproducing the article here from the link, for those with slow internet connections]

"Mummy, my skirt is too long. Can you please help me shorten it?" Well, even before the elegant Vyjayanthi Raman could answer the 10-year-old, another four-year-old moppet tugged at her sari pallu and in a matter of seconds the lady was surrounded by eager children demanding her attention all at once.

Another voice chirruped to me: "Hi, I am Anil." I then realised it was a special day for me. A day when a dozen myths died, to be replaced by joy and love that I never dreamt possible in an orphanage.

Located in Jayanagar, Vishwas, registered under the Helpline Charitable Trust, is home to 20 destitute children. The trustees of the six-year-old institution have restricted the number in order to enable personalised attention to the children. If you are expecting an air of pathos at Vishwas, you are definitely on the wrong page. For, some of the people who have helped Vyjayanthi make her dream a reality include trustees such as Srinath, Saraswati and Mrinalini Jayaram, mostly NRIs or expats who have returned home.

Distressed by ostentation

During her stint in Dubai, whenever she was confronted by ostentation and vulgar display of wealth, Vyjayanthi's thoughts often dwelt on the suffering and poverty in her homeland, strengthening her resolve to do something about it. While the seeds were sown at that time, she eventually found her calling on her return to Bangalore.

She recalls the time when she was still starting out: "I never realised that it could be so stressful," she confesses with candour. "Empathy was a big contention," says Vyjayanthi, who found that she needed to strike the right balance. Meditation proved to be the answer. "It helped me channelise my energies without bordering on over attachment."

"Each child has to go through so much before they come to us," declares Vyjayanthi who holds that the boys are easier to handle than the girls. Her young wards hail from myriad backgrounds: sexual abuse, abandonment, unspeakable horrors — the kids have battled all that and more.

Money and food are the immediate priorities of the kids who have had to grapple with some of life's most unforgiving realities, that too at a tender age.

Learning was not easy for the gutsy Vyjayanthi; it merely ushered in newer challenges. For instance, she jokingly refers to the healthy appetite of the kids. "I was concerned but the paediatrician dispelled all my doubts," she explains. Most of the kids cannot comprehend the fact that they will indeed get the next meal. Their systems, used to years of deprivation, need to be reconditioned to be able to accept the fact.

Discipline will always remain one of her more serious concerns. Her mantra is tough love and she believes that timely intervention can make all the difference. "There really is no point in harsh punishment as the kids will just give up and never change. We do not need old clothes or shoes, we want people to come and actually spend time with the children." Not that there has been a dearth of that. The home has welcomed several families, good samaritans and corporate visitors in its midst, those from big companies like Infosys and General Electric to name a few. She is all praise for them taking their social responsibilities seriously.

Vyjayanthi is an interior designer who has taught the subject for several years in premier institutions of India and Dubai as well. The interiors of her chic and understated home celebrate the artist in her. Despite sounding incredibly clichéd she certainly would not have made it so far without family support. "Of course, they are my strength," muses the woman who has walked that extra mile to make her dreams a reality.

Talking about the future: "I would love to set up a school where quality education is available at an affordable price."

As I watch the children go about their chores and Vyjayanthi organise breakfast for Vinod who has come back from his tuition class, it was suddenly like being part of a family.

Vyjayanthi Raman may be contacted on 26630413 or 93413-14173 or vyjayanthiraman@hotmail.com

HARIPRIYA SRINIVASAN