THE DAY A PLAY BY HOMELESS CHILDREN GOT THE ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL
▶ Impact of 2003 visit by King Charles is still felt in India, writes Taniya Dutta in New Delhi
Performing in a play for the UK’s future king was a turning point in Rajan Sharma’s life and helped to get him off the streets of New Delhi. The show was held in 2003 while King Charles III, who was Prince of Wales at the time, was visiting India.
Mr Sharma was a six-year-old homeless orphan who survived in the capital by scavenging for scraps to sell.
He was among 14 children picked by a charity group to take part in a mime show titled Patri Par Bachpan, or “Children on the Street”, which would depict what life was like for homeless youths.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Mr Sharma told The National.
The cast were chosen by non-governmental organisation ActionAid from the Jama Masjid and Shree Hanuman Temple areas of New Delhi.
“I was picked from the footpath and told that I have to perform for the prince. I was both nervous and happy,” Mr Sharma said.
The play was a mime because King Charles, whose coronation takes place in London on Saturday, could not speak Hindi and the children did not know any English.
But Mr Sharma, who was given the role of a policeman, said the show captivated the British royal. “Prince Charles was so engrossed in our performance that he did not even blink for a second,” he said.
“He watched the play and clapped for us at the end.
“I was scared of forgetting my act but when he clapped, I was very happy. We were thrilled a royal gave us respect.”
The moment left a lasting impression on Mr Sharma, too, with the children all given shelter and an education with the help of charitable trusts and non-government groups.
The children stayed together and, with the help of volunteers, formed a theatre group called Jamghat, which means “crowd” in Hindi.
They performed plays across India to raise awareness of homelessness and child abuse.
Education institutions offered members of the group support so they could receive vocational training.
Two decades later, Mr Sharma has a steady job as a cleaner at a restaurant in New Delhi, earning 15,000 rupees ($183) a month.
He also has an eight-monthold son. “I was a rag picker before I was picked for the play,” Mr Sharma said.
“I was not only rescued but also given a life of dignity. I am now working, making decent money and have a family.
“It is because of the royal that my life changed for ever.
“If he wasn’t here that day, I would not have been selected for the play.
“Now that he is a king, I will tell my friends that I was lucky to have seen him closely.
“It was a wonderful opportunity. I hope that I am able to meet him again.”
Amit Sinha, founder and director of Jamghat, told The
National that children in India had new opportunities because of the royal visit in 2003.
“There may not be any direct financial support from him, but because of Prince Charles, Jamghat today is working with 300 children,” he said.
“When we used to tell people that these children have performed in front of him, they would listen to us and support the children.
“We even received a letter from his office after 10 years of establishing Jamghat.”
I was scared of forgetting my act but when he clapped, I was very happy. We were thrilled a royal gave us respect RAJAN SHARMA Former Jamghat member