BANGALORE: Kumar, a 20-year-old afflicted by cerebral palsy, comes to Mini Bal Bhavan at Jeevan Bhima Nagar from GM Palya with his sister every day. Kumar has been coming to the Bal Bhavan for the last few years and spends time with more than 10 people afflicted with cerebral palsy. However, little did he know that Monday (January 11) was to be the last day that he would be at the Mini Bal Bhavan.
The reason is that the Bal Bhavan Society has asked the Parents Association of Persons with Cerebral Palsy and Associated Disorders (PAPCP), who are running the centre, to vacate the premises immediately.
The PAPCP had got permission from the Bal Bhavan Society to use the Mini Bal Bhavan as a daycare centre from July 2005. The PAPCP spent Rs 5.75 lakh to repair the dilapidated building and provide some amenities to the children. Earlier, these children were with the Spastic Society of India in Indiranagar.
But, the Spastic Society of India cannot take care of children beyond a certain age.
Hence, to help such youth, the PAPCP was established in 2003. It offers a solution to parents of severely challenged young adults (18 and above) afflicted by cerebral palsy and other multiple disorders by engaging them in various activities that help their overall development.
Now, with the Bal Bhavan Society asking the PAPCP to vacate the Mini Bal Bhavan, these young people have to just stay at home, where they may not have provision for specialised care. “We are not asking the Bal Bhavan Society to give these premises to us permanently. We have no other place to open a daycare centre for these children who depend on others for even their most basic needs.
They may be between 20 and 22 years but they are like small children,” says Asha Jhunjhunwala, president, PAPCP.
It was learnt that Bal Bhavan Society has handed over all Mini Bal Bhavans in Bangalore to MR Enterprises on lease basis. MR Enterprises is expected to start painting, drawing and craft classes for children in surrounding areas.
“Many parents of normal children hesitate to send their children at the Mini Bal Bhavan. They are afraid of the presence of children afflicted with cerebral palsy,” says an official from MR Enterprises.
The PAPCP has been running from pillar to post to get some more time to vacate the premises. It is also ready to admit other children with similar problems. “I do not know why the government has reserved only one Mini Bal Bhavan exclusively for children afflicted with cerebral palsy,” says Asha.
The Bal Bhavan Society wrote a letter to the PAPCP (No. BBS/AVAS-2/MBB/ JBN/09-10/1491) on January 1 to vacate the premises within seven days of receiving the letter without compelling the former to initiate legal proceedings. “We have no other place in and around Jeevan Bhima Nagar. We are requesting the authorities concerned to do the needful,” says Akhila Shankar, Secretary, PAPCP.
maheswarareddy@expressbuzz.com