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.