In 1905, when people were getting separated in Bengal, someone from Bangalore took the step of bringing people, especially women together, giving them a better life. In one small patch on Dr. D V G Road in Basavanagudi, Late Chakravarthy Venkatavarada Iyengar began what was to become one of the oldest registered voluntary social organisations in the city.
What started as a humble initiative then, is today even more humble. Abalashrama is today a boon to women; rehabilitating broken minds and hearts, parenting the orphaned, sheltering the destitute, supporting the widowed. It is a world for women who have lost everything including hope. And it is here that they get doses of a better life and the key to the closed doors of hope.
The focus is clear - empower women through education and vocational training while taking care of their basic needs.
"We want to equip the deprived to face life and education is our main priority. We do not worry about their social and literacy background, because here is where they are allowed to rebuild their lives at no cost of theirs," said BV Sesha, Honorary Secretary of the ashrama.
Adopting a holistic approach in the process of rehabilitation, the aim is to fulfill the immediate needs while keeping in view the long-term aspirations of each individual.
Currently there are 65 girls in the ashrama out of which 52 are studying and a few have taken up vocational training.
Going for a better infrastructure that was the abode of the Abalashrama since 1911, the management is now willing to increase the intake, provide better amenities and activities. "Before the construction of this new building, we had to send our girls out for vocational training. Right now we have allocated 15,000 sq. ft. of space only for vocational training. We now want to enroll women belonging to the economically weaker class and give them an opportunity to learn different courses which are available to them for free," said Sesha.
The courses offered include fashion technology, tailoring, beautician course, spoken English, and computer skills.Through its other centres, the ashram has expanded its reach. "We will soon be adding the art of cooking, photography and driving through our Swavalambana Multi Skills Development Centre, which is a service project of the ashram. Girls not staying at the ashram, who would want to enroll with us, will be provided with bus pass, study materials, accommodation and food, free of cost. We only expect them to provide the relevant documents during their training period. A certificate will also be given and assistance will be provided with job placement. The duration of course varies with different types of training and the timings will be specified on enrollment. Right now we have 15 girls who are pursuing beautician course and around 20 girls have taken up fashion and computer training. We usually don't provide such training for the girls who are staying with us because we want to ensure that they are first fully educated," he said.
The ashram has started a Family Counselling Centre - Santvana, which is open between 6 pm and 8 pm in the evening and is open to the public as well. "The counselling services will be provided by trained and experienced counsellors and mainly for girls who have learning difficulties, problems related to study at school and college, adolescent issues, marital discord, loneliness and old-age, stress and work-related issues, alcohol and drug abuse, legal issues, psychiatric consultations, etc.," explained Sesha.
The ashram, through its Suraksha Centre, a sheltered rehabilitation provides home for women who are divorced, deserted, or from economically weaker class and victims of troubled marriage. "Single mothers can take shelter at our building situated in Seshadripuram and women, married and divorced or widowed, can reside at Bannerghatta. They can stay free of cost but if the woman is working, she will have to share 10 per cent of her salary. We will take care of the children when they go out on work," said Sesha. Their other services include marriage facilitation, job placement, sales outlet, as well as strengthening the cultural and religious roots.
The ashram is currently looking for volunteers who can contribute to their cause. They are also planning to introduce martial arts classes and are looking for an expert lady trainer.
To know more, go to http://www.abalashram.org.