A blooming flower aspires just another happy day!

A blooming flower aspires just another happy day!

  • Category :
  • January, 1 1970
  • 2 minutes read

Neelam Behn is well versed in making malas (garlands). Usually, young girls develop these activities as hobbies but Neelam learnt this to help her mother. The 11-year-old comes from Mali Street near Vadsar where most of the families are into making flower garlands. Most of them send their children to schools not only to stay undisturbed while working, but also because their lunch is taken care of.

Both her parents engage in making garlands throughout the day. Neelam's sister, Shubhangi, has completed her schooling and now helps her mother in cooking and making garlands. It's a common practice here for girls to study only till Standard X and later help parents at home. Neelam too is prepared for a similar future and hence when asked about her ambition, she tries hard to recall one and says, "I want to be happy."neelam-gujarat-beneficiary

Neelam's parents work in their small farm where they grow roses, jasmine and other flowers. Their only source of income is selling Malas made out of these flowers. They earn very little money on a daily basis which is insufficient even to meet the expenses for that day. Sheetal lives in a joint family under one roof but with a partition. Her aunt cooks separately for her cousin sisters who do not share anything with her.

Her uncle is financially in a better position but he does not help Neelam or her family. Due to a misunderstanding, the two families separated few years ago. There seems to be a depression in the child due to issues and arguments between her family members.

She is unable to control her tears when she says, "I come to school mainly to get away from home and find happiness in meeting my best friend at school since it is difficult to meet in our houses." She loves to eat idlis & mixed vegetable sabji that is part of the mid-day meal menu. "As of now I don't have a big ambition but to keep myself happy everyday by coming to school. I enjoy the company of my friends here and also the mid-day meal from Akshaya Patra," says a teary-eyed Neelam.

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