Rahul's Musings!

Tamahar – Of Selfless LOVE and More…

I and my three other friends – Shivani, Vishakha and Harsha were going to Bangalore for our Social Responsibility Project as a part of our academic learning from Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication. As students of mass communication and MBA in media, we were assigned with tasks to come up with unique strategies and design promotional material for the NGO’s. Least did we realize that those 10 days spent at Tamahar (Centre for kids with special needs) would be more than just a mere learning experience. 

(L-R) Shivani, Harsha, Rahul (Vishakha we missed you!!)

Tamahar – situated at a not so noisy location of Malleshwaram in Bengaluru, outskirts of the main city yet bustling with activity is a centre of kids with special needs. Calling them disabled or abnormal would be a sin, for they are as normal as us. It’s just that they crave a little more attention, a little more love – but who doesn’t? Don’t we crave for love and attention when our morale is down, don’t we crave for that unconditional love each time? As Vaishali Mam (Founder Tamahar) says, we all have different needs and wants and these kids are no different. So here began our journey where we found out what it takes to give that happiness, that selfless love and not make a difference, but just put a smile to one’s face. 

 

TEAM TAMAHAR

I say not make a difference because we in those 10 days probably did quite little to make the kind of difference we would want to considering the tiring efforts the caring mentors at Tamahar put towards each kid. I would not call them teachers (while they all are trained to be called as one) because a teacher just teaches, but here they did much much more – they truly made a difference and continue to do so each day, with same zest and enthusiasm.

Each day, we experienced something exciting. Personally, I never had worked with an NGO before and always thought of doing my bit. This was the chance and I could not have asked for more. Watching the kids learning, the happiness on their faces while playing and more over the happiness on their parent’s faces was truly an emotional moment of the journey. The 10 days passed quickly and soon it was time to leave, but memories of those 10 days stayed in our hearts and minds for a long long time. 

I recount that day when Vishakha brought a card designed with impressions of the kid’s thumbs. The best parting gift we could have got. 

While we came back and got busy with our college, Vaishali Mam and her team tirelessly continues her work at Tamahar. We always wanted to be there, and do hope we could go back and spend time with the kids. 

Those 10 days, did make me realize that it’s always about showering the affection, the love and to care for each and one. Sometimes that one bit is what we forget to do but at Tamahar that is what has kept it going for years now. It’s that place which made me realize that it’s a few things like this which make a difference. Not just in the kid’s lives but in others as well. It’s all about the Selfless Love and Much more….

It’s been a year since we came back, but reading Vaishali Mam’s blog could not have been a better inspiration to write about my beautiful journey at Tamahar. 

(L-R) Shivani, Harsha, Vaishali Mam, Odie, Vishakha, Rahul

To The kids….
To The Mentors….
To Odie, Prateik and Vaishali Mam and Mr.Pai….

Thanks…for making us a part of YOU and All the Best!! Looking forward to meet you soon.

Rahul