Desi News Corp - Index

Desi News Corp - Desi News - June 2009 - Index

Srivatsa’s parents work for
NGOs in Canada and are
therefore perhaps more
understanding of their son’s
drive to go work halfway across
the world in less than luxurious
conditions.
They are supportive of his
passion, but his mother is keen
he return to Canada to complete
his Master’s.
“We’ll figure that out
eventually!” he laughs.
The best part of working in
Fakir Bagan?
“The opportunity to work
with genuine, good-hearted
people. It’s a phenomenal feeling
when people you are
working for take it up and carry
it forward.
“Of course, there’s the seamy
side and I hear of violence and
gangs from people like Jayshree.
But I don’t see it.
“I guess it’s partly because we
work with Calcutta Kids, that
we are from ‘somewhere else’
but have chosen to work in the
slum here, that we are protected
to some extent.
“I have come to work for the
slum dwellers, but feel that to
some extent, they watch out for
me, that they have ‘adopted’ me.
Being in Fakir Bagan validates my
belief that I am doing work that
needs to be done.”
Calcutta Kids is an NGO, and
does not accept volunteers.
“But we are very open to new
ideas,” says Srivatsa.
“Drop in and see us. We will
take you to the health camps. We
do not encourage slum tourism.
The people and their lives are not
a spectacle – but we are happy to
share our work.”
– SHAGORIKA EASWAR
• Since the interview, Srivatsa
Marthi’s involvement with the
project has wrapped up – the work
is being carried on by staff that
he hired and Noah is overseeing
things. Srivatsa is currently in
Canada and leaves for Chennai
next month to work on different
projects in the same field.
“What makes
Kolkata magical is
that it is so human”
Noah Levinson, a
young American
post-grad spent a
summer voluntering at Nirmal
Hridoy (Pure Heart), Mother
Teresa’s Home for the Dying
Destitutes in Kolkata with
Sohrab, an Iranian friend.
The experience changed
their lives. He describes Kolkata
as “one crazy city” on the website
of Calcutta Kids, the NGO he
co-founded, and quotes from an
international NGO: “This is a matter
of one of the greatest urban
concentrations in existence rapidly
approaching the point of
breakdown in terms of its
economy, housing, sanitation,
transport, and the essential amenities
of life.”
And yet, somehow, people
are always smiling, says Noah.
“Kolkata is the most magical
• ABOVE: Noah in search of an ark!
place I have ever been, and what
makes it magical is that it is so
human.”
Noah and Sohrab established
a mobile health clinic for
Kolkata’s street children with
donations they raised from
friends and family in the US.
They expanded the organization,
and in 2004, Calcutta
Kids Inc. was born – a not-forprofit
organization committed
to the healthcare needs of poor
children in and around Kolkata.
• To discuss a project, to donate, or to
learn more about Calcutta Kids, visit
www.calcuttakids.org.
WEDDING FASHION HOME
Design Hut
FASHION EMPORIUM
Fashion
woven with
tradition.
2575 STEELES AVENUE EAST
UNIT 11, BRAMPTON, ON L6T 5T1
416.626.0849 905.487.1145
June 2009 Desi News 13