“Doodhwali aunty aa gayeeeeee..!!”
Walk down to Yamuna’s temple-side gate on a Thursday morning and you’ll see a handful of grubby kids yelling excitedly at the maidan outside the colony. They’re waiting in anticipation of their weekly glass of hot milk, courtesy the Balakrishna Milk Project run by our very own Girija Mohan.
It all began in 2006 when Girija decided to take up this small act of charity, inspired by her spiritual mentor, Pujya Sri Mathioli Saraswathi, from Chennai. Joining her are six to eight Yamuna-ites, who each contribute a litre of milk or biscuits.
Every Thursday, the kids (and a few young mothers), numbering around 25-40, gather from the nearby Alaknanda jhuggi. At 10.30 am, the “doodhwali aunties” arrive with jugs of milk and biscuits. It’s chaotic fun; the older children get unruly, wanting more than their due, while the toddlers can barely keep up with their noisy seniors. But the “aunties” take it all in their stride, teaching the kids the importance of discipline, encouraging them to chant prayers and not litter the place with cups when they’re done.
With the current level of contribution, it is possible to distribute milk just one day in the week. Says Girija, “ If more residents from Yamuna are willing to chip in, the group can extend the project to another day. An afternoon session perhaps, which would benefit a large number of girl children, who attend morning school and hence, miss out on our Thursday sessions.”
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Want to help? Find out how from Girija Mohan or Akhila.
Walk down to Yamuna’s temple-side gate on a Thursday morning and you’ll see a handful of grubby kids yelling excitedly at the maidan outside the colony. They’re waiting in anticipation of their weekly glass of hot milk, courtesy the Balakrishna Milk Project run by our very own Girija Mohan.
It all began in 2006 when Girija decided to take up this small act of charity, inspired by her spiritual mentor, Pujya Sri Mathioli Saraswathi, from Chennai. Joining her are six to eight Yamuna-ites, who each contribute a litre of milk or biscuits.
Every Thursday, the kids (and a few young mothers), numbering around 25-40, gather from the nearby Alaknanda jhuggi. At 10.30 am, the “doodhwali aunties” arrive with jugs of milk and biscuits. It’s chaotic fun; the older children get unruly, wanting more than their due, while the toddlers can barely keep up with their noisy seniors. But the “aunties” take it all in their stride, teaching the kids the importance of discipline, encouraging them to chant prayers and not litter the place with cups when they’re done.
With the current level of contribution, it is possible to distribute milk just one day in the week. Says Girija, “ If more residents from Yamuna are willing to chip in, the group can extend the project to another day. An afternoon session perhaps, which would benefit a large number of girl children, who attend morning school and hence, miss out on our Thursday sessions.”
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Want to help? Find out how from Girija Mohan or Akhila.
(Contact Girija (D-001) at 40533433/9818181553 or Akhila (D-004) at 40533183)
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