NGO & Social Work Industry

On Republic Day, Vinith Vijayan and his wife Archana Vijayan, CEO ARVI Achievers celebrated the occasion with underprivileged children at the Aditya Birla Centre for Welfare of Children, Mumbai

Republic Day, observed on 26 th January every year, is not just a national holiday in India. The occasion marks an important day to commemorate India's constitution and abide by its values. This year, as India celebrated its 71 st Republic Day, my wife Archana and I visited the Aditya Birla Centre for Welfare of Children in Mumbai. Established in 1979 under the leadership of Late Aditya Vikram Birla, the Centre is home to around 250 underprivileged children. It is run under the aegis of Mrs. Rajashree Birla, Chairperson, Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development.

The Aditya Birla Centre for Welfare of Children is approved by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of Maharashtra. Its primary objective is to impart skill development training to boys aged 15 to 18 years and provide employment opportunities. The Centre offers a plethora of courses by the Industrial Training Institute (ITI), a post-secondary school providing training in trades such as turner, fitter, welder, electrician, plumber, and carpenter, to name a few.

On national holidays like Republic Day (26 th January) and Independence Day (15 th August), the Centre is adorned in bright colours and brims with patriotic fervour. Further, it is a joyous moment for underprivileged boys as some of our Group senior employees join in the celebrations.

On reaching the Centre, our day commenced with a flag hoisting ceremony. Subsequently, the place was bustling with enthusiasm and excitement as boys geared up for outdoor and indoor sports such as cricket, kho kho, kabaddi, chess, and carrom. After the games concluded, winners were rewarded at the prize distribution ceremony, and we had lunch with the group.

During the evening, my wife Archana and I got chatting with the children in the garden area. We not only learnt about their interests and career aspirations but also spoke about various topics and made them understand on topics , viz. learning the Group Values, the use of technology and the importance of being good professionals, among others. As the day came closer to an end, there were feelings of happiness and contentment. The visit was a delightful experience for both of us. Before we bid everyone goodbye, the boys promised us that they would continue to work hard on their studies and strive to become responsible citizens of the nation. We could not have asked for more.