Inmates at Bathinda home for orphans shine in academics
BATHINDA: The Children Home for Boys in the city is not only providing boarding, lodging and education to orphans, but is also setting a stellar record in academic achievement with three of its inmates of the past four years, going on to get admission in engineering.
One of the seven facilities that the state government provides across the state, inmates in the age group of 6-18 are provided boarding, lodging and education and other facilities at these homes. District social security officer and his team are responsible for running the homes.
The latest on the Bathinda centre’s roll of achievements are Harjeet and Baljeet, 17-year-old twins, who were among 17 orphans that had put up at the Centre.
The duo, from Dhingar village of Mansa district, lost their mother, when they were just six. The brothers, with an alcoholic father, who was already a helpless pauper, were sent to this orphanage three years ago by relatives.
They latched on to the opportunity and are now pursuing electrical engineering at Government Polytechnic College, Bathinda.
Hardeep topped the Class-10 exam with 88%, with brother Baljeet scoring first division and also bagging the third position at a national-level scrabble event in Delhi in November. The opportunities that the centre has provided has meant that Baljeet has turned into a keen athlete and wants to become an army officer.
‘ALL CREDIT TO THE MANAGEMENT’
“I credit my achievement to motivation from Sita Ram, our counsellor at the home. I am working hard for the tough journey of becoming a state civil servant,” said Harjeet.
The counsellor himself, Sita Ram, says, “The first aim of our team is to trace families of the missing children by showing them pictures of stations, bus stands on internet or by taking help from police stations and child helplines in other states. Last year, we had traced 67 such children.”
He added, “I have been serving here since 2014. We accommodate children from 6-18 years. Those above 18 are sent to the State After Care home, Ludhiana.”
Another success story is that of Gurpreet Singh, 16, an orphan, who was brought to the home four years ago from Swah Wala of Fazilka district. After securing 75% marks in Class 10, he has also been pursuing electrical engineering. He credits district social security officer Naveen Gadwal for his success.
DSSO Gadwal said, “All children at the centre are my children. I spend hours to motivate, inspire and guide them by sharing my difficulties and the way I overcome these. For those in Class-10, I get them to study till late at night.” Junior assistant at the home, Iqbal Kaur, said, “I have been serving here for 16 years. I feel lucky that I got a chance to serve these abandoned children.”