As we celebrate Children's day today, I was reminded of one of our desi superheroes Mr. India. The protagonist of the film Arun Verma lives with and takes care of orphaned children. A futuristic watch helps him become invisible and thus invincible. He goes on to fight crime as Mr. India taking on the iconic villian Mogambo.
Coming to the real from the reel, I was fortunate to meet a real Mr.India. He does not have a magic watch or the power of invisibility but instead he has the magic of courage and selflessness. As for invisibility he needs the polar opposite of that; to be visible to as many as possible. Without further ado, let me introduce you to Mr. Ashok Deshmane. He is the founder of the non profit organization- Snehwan- A ray of Hope. Snehwan takes care of about 80 children mainly belonging to drought-hit farmer families.
Born and raised in Parbhani, in a farmer's family himself, Mr.Deshmane had faced firsthand the struggles of basic necessities and especially education. Overcoming all odds he completed his Masters in Computer Science and was working in a known software company in Pune. Like lakhs of us, Deshmane could have built his savings, gotten himself a swanky car, a comfortable home and secured his and his family's future. But he did not forget his roots and taking inspiration from Swami Vivekanda, Baba Amte, he chose to make the future of impoverished children instead of his own. He quit his job and started Snehwan for the children of drought affected farmers.
I had the fortune of visiting his earlier home at Bhosari, Pune alongwith my friends who celebrated their son's birthday with the boys at Snehwan. In that small yet neat and comfortable abode Deshmane and his extended family lived more happily than a king in his palace. This was because Deshmane, his wife Archana and his parents look after these boys as their own children, showering them with the same affection as one would do to one's own flesh and blood.
Despite the space crunch Deshmane had an extensive library and even computers for his kids. Fortunately, in 2018 a substantial area of land was donated to the organisation and presently they have a much larger abode at Koyali phata (details below).
We recently visited the new place with our friends who had arranged for Diwali faral for the children. This new home is equipped with a state of the art computer centre, floor to ceiling book shelves lining several walls, bunk beds for the kids and much more. Nutritious food is prepared by his mother and wife Archana who is a mother to all the children at Snehwan. The boys enthusiastically showed us around the place, with a mixture of pride and gratitude in their eyes. Deshmane emphasizes on overall development of the children so on one hand as they become technology savvy, on the other hand they also learn composting, dairy business, fertilizer manufacturing at the Goushala. They are also taught practical skills like stitching, making cards, rakhis etc. The kids practise yoga every morning and evening and are also given responsibilities around the house to build their organisational skills, confidence, interpersonal skills and such. Deshmane's father himself teaches them tabla and folk songs.
The vibe of the place is such that it cannot be expressed in words but has to be felt. Mr. Ashok Deshmane has won several awards and recognitions for his work. His story has been told by recognised national and international platforms. He is also grateful to the people who have contributed to his work one way or the other. But taking care of the needs of 80 children is not a small task. Any and every kind of help contributes towards the future of these children. You may donate through CSR activities at your work place or personally, also by giving required supplies like stationery, blankets etc. In Mr. Deshmane's opinion, the gift of your time is the most valuable. You can volunteer to teach them any skills, sports, arts, languages, learnings which we take for granted but are valuable to these children.
Let's give our Mr. India a helping hand as he fights the Mogambo of illiteracy.
*Snehwan*
Koyali Phata, Alandi-Wadgaon Road, Near Koyali forest, Koyali Tarfe Chakan,
Pune 410501
Contact- Ashok Deshmane
+91 8796400484/ 8237277615
Email- snehwan@yahoo.in
Snehwan- A Ray of Hope
Bank details- SBI
Account name- Snehwan Branch- Pimpri town
Account number- 35517151681
IFSC Code- SBIN0005923
*Note*- Donations to Snehwan are eligible for benefits U/S 80G of Income Tax Act, 1961.
- Sneha Karle
Moshi, Pune.
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