Thursday, February 16, 2012

Life is precious or is it?

Recently I went to Nethaji Mercy Home..and what I saw there was shocking and amazing both. As I have blogged earlier too about them..this orphanage is managed by a couple who look after the children as their own..its their main life..not a part time job.
Every time I go there, I see a new infant, somebody left there..this time there was a boy who was left there at the age of 9 days and who didint have a limb and a hand and he couldnt swallow. Parents were poor and couldnt look after a special child. So this couple took them got his mouth operated and now they will get him operated for hand and limb whenevr they get enough money ...a few lakhs.The child was now 7 months old and very attatched to father(head of the orphanage) and was smiling in his lap.

Now as soon as I heard this, immediate response in my mind was..how cruel on part of parents to leave their child here and how big in heart these people are who can love a deformed child so much?..But when I think over, my mind debates..what type of life this child can have..with one hand and one limb...woudt he live a life of misery?Why are we raising him to be an unhappy and dependent person all his life..what can he do?
and why do I think it cruel of parents? Its a practicality...poor people have neither the time, nor the resources to look after such children and making their other children suffer for this one wouldnt be right...
Its a very big dilemma and a question dificult to answer.....should we save the life even if it is going to be full of hardships only?,...theoritically we can say ..yes..life is precious and all that, but practically what is good?

18 comments:

Amrita said...

Yes practically even i agree sometimes some lives might end up being very difficult. but then you never know, there may be some spark, and they might excel inspite of their physical limitations.
This is what makes me believe in karma, its sort of destiny which decides how things will turn out - for the parents, for people around the child and the child. Might sound illogical but then, somehow this belief gives me solace.

KParthasarathi said...

One good and praiseworthy thing the mother of the handicapped child did was to leave it in a safe and secure place where she knew the child would be better taken care of.
But the yeoman service this couple of Netaji mercy home is doing is highly commmendable annd beyond words to praise them adequately.
They do such service not for fame,name or money but for love and compassion.Your visit to that place also shows you in good light.

Enigma said...

Even I have debated with myself over similar topics. Practically, it's really very difficult to take care and raise such children. But then I think, everybody has something special in them no matter how they are. It's just as life goes on!

Bikram said...

Tough question .. very tough .. If we just have the little ones best in our eyes then saving his life is actually torture for him .. how nad what will he do when he grows up.. when the couple looking after him now are no more ...

Life is precious for sure

Bikram's

chitra said...

Hi Renu
long time...
What you say is true when life is full of misery how poor parents will take care of these disabled children when they have to run around for Roj ki roti. This is life. sometimes there are no answers for WHY this?

sm said...

good question
its total failure of society not the parents.
its failure of government and politicians.

Renu said...

Amrita: true, they may excel, but they will live a life full of obstacles and problems and frustrations..is it worth it?


Kparthsaarthi: yes whenevr i go there, I feel so small, you see it is so difficult to love the children, the way they do..

My daughter only introduced me to this place.

Enigma: I also debate so much on this..but nevr get any satisfactory answer.

Bikram: Thats waht I think, then as we say that its not people but god looks after us, so may be he will arrange someone..lets hope so.

Chitra:poor people have some very difficult dilemmas in life...

sm:true..but what is society or govt?...collective people only...

Rachna said...

Yes, it is the toughest choice to make for any parent. You have exposed both sides well.

sm said...

society got different types of people but government is only one.
govt got power not people.
we can not make laws.

hamaarethoughts.com said...

very sad ...have nothing much to say ..I personally get depressed if I see myself all this ,,,may be becuz of my sensitive nature ..hope we could do something ...
I remember my grandfather say ..looking at me very upset at times" Almighty who brings us to this world has arrangements.. for everyone"we are helpless at times but maybe he has something in mind.

Sandhya said...

This Home is really run by great people. But as you said what type of life will the child have in the future? He might be dependent on somebody or the other always. It is a tough decision.

It is good that you wrote about this home. Thank you Renu.

Madhu said...

Renuji,
Thanks so much for checking on me! I am doing well and so is my little daughter. She completed 2 months 2 days ago. I cant believe how time flies by. Every minute I seem to be busy. Enjoying it though. I will try to be more regular in blogging now :)

Arti said...

Its a very very difficult predicament that the poor parents find themselves in.
They must surely love their child but then they do not have the money to treat him.

Renu said...

Rachna: I wish no one to be in such a situation..very heart rendering..

SM.you are right but such problems can be solved by compassion not by laws only..though an effective govt would help a lot.

Harman singh: what your grandfather said is a very inspiring and positive approach to life, because we have no control over so many things.

Sandhya:Thats what i was thinking..because I myself detest dependence on anyone.

madhu: I was really missing you and nevr thought that I should chk something else..and then I foung that blog of urs..
with kids, time flies like that, cherish this pleasant time.

Aarti: parents love their children, but how many parents love deformed children?

Happy Kitten said...

An inspiring couple Renu! I am sure it needs loads of patience and love to start such an orphange. As for the little boy that you mentioned, I blv love can change everything. As you said, one cannot blame the poor parents since they did not have the resource or the strength. This reminded me of Nick who appeared on an email forward. He had his troubles but now he is an inspiration to millions around the world.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sHyzatcBq8
A perfectly formed child can turn out to be the worst criminal right?

Renu said...

happy Kitten: y4es that they are..and they have been doing it for a long time.

Your comment has given me a totally new insight and a new perspective...yes if we think like that, its good and so encouraging too.

Reflections said...

This home reminds me of the orpahnage I go to in B'lore. Its called Bal bhavan & is run by nuns[I thk they are nuns coz there r dressed like Mother theresa's followers]. I come out of there in tears & feeling so insignificant....the people who take care, their hearts are big. It's easy for us to give money but to show kindness and have patience, to look after these little children who are mostly special needs & have nobody in the world, I think these cartakers are really special & their blessings will be so huge.

As for ur question, I think the value of life is very cheap in some parts of the world:(

Neha said...

I can't say what's right and what's wrong. But what the couple is doing is truly noble. I also visit a government orphanage and it hurts to see the plight of children there. They yearn to be loved and even a small candy brightens their eyes. I hope people feel more responsible towards the such children and give them some time, if not anything else.

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