Christmas was never spent better. This year I decided to do something different. On the evening before the 25th, I got a call from my brother who is admitted to the freshman year of an engineering college, asking me to join them for the next day. My brother and his friends – about 40 of them, after passing out, decided to materialize an idea proposed by one of the parents (Manas Kumar Sanyal). They wanted to stay connected and contribute to the society and they wanted to make it work – on their own effort. So Panacea was given birth – a team dedicated to social work.
Here, kids save their pocket money every month to fund the arrangement of interactive programs where they go as a team, talk with people, promote education and its benefits in areas where these facilities are not available, distribute educational material, like books, copies, pens, etc and arrange for teaching sessions and so on, once a healthy amount of money is collected.
This Christmas, Panacea decided to go to a place named Ramchandrapur. It is a village somewhere in the South 24 Parganas, here in West Bengal. One of the team members knew a woman from the village – she works a helping hand in her house. This lady (I will refer to her by her name), Puspa mashi once said that back in her village kids have nothing much to do, they do not know the taste of the modern world (they might not even know what Christmas is).
So, Panacea decided to pay a visit to Ramchandrapur. I and a friend of mine went there and trust me it was a long way. We took a train and reached a station named Baruipur, it took us almost an hour and if you have to go to a place beyond that station the frequency of train is really not overwhelming. Me and my friend took an auto and after that a van to reach the desired place.
After we reached that place, we saw some 120 little children (some overenthusiastic and some too scared) excitedly drawing on white sheets of paper, pouring out the colors of their imagination on the papers, shouting, laughing, crying and so on. It was such a pleasure for the eyes. Panacea provided each child with colors and a fully equipped pencil bag. I saw my brother and his friends going to each of those little people over there talking to them and asking them to draw and color. I and my friend had to find a winner – it was a drawing competition.
All the parents were standing in a big circle watching eagerly what their ward did. Some suggested what the kids should draw, some pursued their little ones to do something and not submit a white paper, while a few mothers were like ‘do whatever you want, just enjoy the day’. After we found our little victors, Panacea gave them prizes and all were given food (even if it was not an elaborate lunch). The children danced around, smiled laughed, ate, drew and some were not willing to let go of us. A little girl came up to us and complained that we did not give her a prize so we promised to go back.
I and my friend (who also photographed the whole event) had other plans for Christmas. But we could not refuse my brother and I am glad we did not. It was a new experience for us. Seeing those young people doing something different, dumping their party plans for something not so glamorous was an eye opener.
We often tag young people to be self centered and social media addicts. My brother and his friends were constantly receiving calls from their friends to join the Christmas party but they dodged it. This little-known village was more important to them than celebrating Christmas with their friends. They still do not have much monetary help but they are trying hard to make it work and I find their effort praiseworthy. They as friends need to trust each other because many stay in different states due to educational purposes.
Many have to sacrifice their holidays to execute these events. Many fight with family members to come to such distant places. Many of these young folks come from wealthy families, high profile parents but that does not reflect in their work. They mix seamlessly with everybody, they are so free of any inhibitions and it makes me proud. Panacea you are doing great work and the people behind Panacea, you are wonderful. At present not many know about them, but we can surely spread the word, right?
They are doing something that needs appreciation and boost. They need our support in whatever form possible. Hope to see even greater works from you in the future Panacea and all the best. Last day when I was talking to my brother, he and some of his friends were packing stationary kits which they will be distributing this 30th December in a place somewhere near Shibpur, Howrah. Way to go Panacea.
