An Odyssey to NishChinta

The KILA was different for two days.  It was bubbling with all possible emotions in humans.  There was joy, laughter, cry, anger, despair, delight and what not.  The pure souls labelled as “Special” were criss-crossing all over KILA, with their parents.  We, the parents of those pure souls have gathered at KILA for reinforcing our resolve to give them a better life, even after we are no more.  

It was annual get together of families of NishChinta at Thrissur, organised at KILA, a sprawling green campus of ‘Kerala Institute of Local Administration’.  For those who don’t know about NishChinta:  NishChinta is a project by parents of intellectually challenged children. It aims at building a village where 100 parents together are going to live and take care of 100 children.  It primarily addresses the most daunting question in every parent’s mind “What after us?”.

We were the first family to check-in at KILA.  Myself, my wife Asha and daughter Pratibha.  Hats off to Mr. Ajit, who has been personally following up and sending messages to ensure that we don’t face any problem at KILA, while checking in, and we get comfortable accommodation.  Yes, we did not face any problems.  As the families would start coming only in the evening, we decided to visit the NishChinta project site.  It was our first visit to the village together.  As we will be spending next phase of our life at NishChinta village, this visit was very important for us.  As Pratibha grew up in Mumbai, we were not sure how she is going to react.  The trip to NishChinta village from Thrissur was very refreshing. Hopping on two buses and the last mile on an auto through interior village roads.  Pratibha loved the bus journey, though it was bit hot outside.

We spent about an hour at NishChinta village.  Saw progress of the construction work of NACALS (NAtional Centre for Assisted Living and Skill development), core of NishChinta, and the houses that are coming up.  We felt Pratibha did not show any uncomfort to be in the village environment.  She picked up few mangos that fell down from the mango tree and was watching plants, trees and paddy fields.   She also curiously played with the ‘touch me not’ (തൊട്ടാവാടി) plant, watching the leaves folding when she touched.  Thanks to Mr Venkat, who helped us remotely for the visit.

Back to KILA and we found families arriving and checking-in.  Met few families and children.  The “special” ones and siblings too.  Spoke to few parents and and also interacted with few children.  Each family is different.  Dinner time was a great time for more interactions. Pratibha was going from table to table and was talking to many people by herself.  Made friendship with siblings, and parents.   It will take time for bonding.  But the process has started.   

I had a very intellectually stimulating discussion with Narayanan Sir, the president of NishChinta Society.  Another parent Prof Sunny Joseph also joined the chat.  All three of us being from academic field, our wavelengths matched.  The discussion was all about a framework that we need to come up for the infrastructure of NACALS.  The discussion helped me to fine tune my presentation for the next day.   

The second day was mostly attending presentations.  The first one by KILA faculty, on rights of differently abled persons and the processes that local governments follow, was an eye opener for me.  The second one, by an Ayurvedic doctor, from the famous Kottakkal Ayurveda College was informative.  Third presentation was mine.  I presented a framework that encompass training, therapy, vocational activities and other infrastructure and assistive technology requirements for us to implement at NishChinta.  I presented the document that we (a sub-committee) prepared on this.  As a presenter I was satisfied as there were quite a few questions, comments and suggestions from the audience.

The evening get together was fun.  The families introduced themselves.  Many of our children presented songs.  I was very happy to see the musical talent in NishChinta children.  Ideas started flowing in my mind on creating NishChinta music group and making the group perform all over.  Yes, it is a dream, and I’m sure we have to work towards realising our dreams.  During the presentations, we could see many typical behaviours from some of our children.  Someone came all of a sudden gave a hug.  Another child went round making things perfect and tidy.  The person sitting near me had a button of his shirt open.  This child quietly came and buttoned it and went!  Another boy started introducing himself and his mother.  Many such things made the ambience informal and interesting.

As we had to attend a family function on the third day, we left early, and missed the most important meeting and opportunity for interaction.  Overall, the get together gave us many moments to remember.. some are touching.. some are hilarious.. some are a bit worrying and painful,..and some are fun.. We got to know many NishChinta families, parents and children.. We consider it as a beginning of a new chapter in our lives. beginning of next phase of our lives..  At the end, our daughter Pratibha felt happy with her new friends.  We felt, she would get along in NishChinta, with her new friends, uncles and aunties.  Still it is going to be a big challenge not just for us, but for all the parents.  

We would like to take this opportunity to record our gratitude to the founding thought leaders of NishChinta, who came up with the idea, faced many hardships in identifying the location for the project, and sowing the seed.  We also want to thank the Executive Committee of NishChinta for providing the continued leadership that they provide in realising the dream.  We know it is not an easy task, especially raising money and doing all the legal, statutory and procedural requirements, and getting work done.  Yes, still a long way to go.  We would like to also congratulate and place on record our gratitude to those who were behind organising the KILA event, especially Ajit and Venkat.  We should also consider that all the EC members are also special parents.  Let us help the executive committee as much as we can, and whatever way we can, as that alone can lead to successful realisation of our collective dream “NishChinta”.