Magic Box 2018 – Last Christmas I give you my heart!

How better can the birth of the Lord who was born in a stable and gave his life for his fellow men, but by reaching out to those who are not as fortunate as we are? An “reach out” the students of the Bhawanipur Education Society College (BESC), like the three wise men – the Magi had, bearing gifts.

The NSS movement has been one of the most consistent efforts of the BESC which is spearheaded by Dr Divyesh Shah, the head of the morning commerce section of the college. Under his able stewardship, BESC students organise a number of programmes that are aimed not only to sensitise and create awareness among the students but also to ensure that those who eek out livings beyond the edges of our consciousness are provided with a loving and caring hand of support. The destitute, the orphans and the “street urchins” from the Tiljala area in Park Circus have been the focus of attention of the NSS group for long and initiatives are taken on a regular basis to reach out to them to try and alleviate their pain in however little ways the students can.

This Christmas too was no exception and students from the BESC visited the Tahera Orphanage led by workers of the local NGO Tiljala Shed. Food packets, savories and chocolates were distributed among the inmates of the orphanage. The students also took out time to interact with the children and play a number of games with them which both sides enjoyed immensely to put things mildly.

“It was like a new old opening up in front of our eyes” said one of the student volunteers. “It may be walking distance from our college, but is still worlds apart – the dirt, the squalor, the struggle for existence – it was literally like walking into a black and white movie that no one wants to see. But the light in those little faces, the sheer joy of having a chocolate, the happiness of feeling wanted, the warmth with which we were greeted ensured, that I have one of the most memorable days in my life. I will pray to God for the children and ask him to give me many more such occasions to reach out and touch the lives of those who have no none they can call their own”.

Such feelings were shared by most of the volunteers who had participated for the first time even as the regulars smiled and shared their emotive moments. As one student put it, “thank you BESC for letting me comprehend the true meaning of Christmas, today I know what the spirit of Christmas is all about, for today I have celebrated life”.

This report has been filed by Shradha Tiwari with cameraperson Prachi Shah of the Expressions collective of the BESC.