An excerpt from the Hemalkasa website

On the left is a picture of the students from the school. The school for tribal children was started on the belief that if the tribal people were educated, they would know their rights as modern society closed in on them. Dr. Prakash and others realized how important it was for the Madia people to withstand the abusive system, they also knew that it wasn't enough merely to teach them to read and to write. They had to be taught better methods of agriculture, better health care and hygiene ­ so they would be less dependent on outsider traders.

The average percentage of students who pass is 70%. Two tribal students from this school have become doctors (M.D.) and are working for the tribals. For more info refer to the following website: http://mss.niya.org/projects/hemalkasa.php

Dr. Prakash Amte with leopards from the wild life orphanage in Hemalkasa

During our visit to Hemalkasa in August 2005, Padmashree Dr. Prakash Amte fearlessly went in the enclosure where the leopards were kept and fed them with his own hands. He spent quite a while playing and petting them. And we all stood outside the enclosure in awe and slightly worried for his safety with the ferocious creatures.

Wild life orphanage in Hemalkasa

Heera in August 2005 with Padmashree Dr. Prakash Amte and the snake from the
wild life orphanage in Hemalkasa!

School for the blind children in Anandwan

Here is the picture of the school for blind children in Anandwan as seen in Aug. 2005.

Worker at the loom in Anandwan

Here is a rehabilitated woman weaving cloth at the electric loom in Anandwan factory in Aug. 2005.

Swarandanwan: Blind and disabled youth orchestra

In August 2005 we were treated to a grand show presented by the Swaranandwan orchestra. Here is a picture of two blind girls presenting a beautiful dance.

Visiting Anandwan in August 2005

Heera with Baba Amte in August 2005 at Anandwan via Warora, Dist. Chandrapur, near Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Baba clearly remembered Heera's father Dada Koranne and inquired about his younger brother who was also involved in self less service. Baba held my hand and gave me blessings. Dada Koranne and Baba Amte became friends when they were both involved with Gandhi Ji in their youth. Baba had asked my father in 1970 to come and manage the school for the handicapped children. But it was not to be. Since I was young, my parents could not leave me in Delhi with my brother and go away to Anandwan. I wish they had availed of the opportunity but could not because of their responsibilities.
Life would have been so different. At least now I am trying to connect to my past somehow.

WOW, I am going home!

October 28, 2007

On the left is a picture of a road sign in Delhi written in four languages namely Hindi, English, Punjabi and Urdu. Please notice the different scripts used for each language. These are full fledged languages and not mere dialects.
I have about one week left to start preparing for my departure to India next Sunday. WOW, I am going HOME! Tonight I am sending an email to the staff at my school requesting for some donations for the residential school for tribal boys and girls at the Lok Biradari Prakalp in Hemalkasa. I am also hoping that our school will adopt the tribal school in Hemalkasa and form a partnership with them. I will be visiting there in December. Padmashree (a national honor) Dr. Prakash Amte runs a hospital and a school there for the Madia Gond tribe who lives in the region. I was greatly inspired once again to revisit this remote area in a jungle after attending an inspiring presentation by Dr. Prakash Amte in San Jose in July. I am also collecting personal CD players and MP3 players for the "Swaranandanwan" orchestra consisting of blind and disabled youth of Anandwan started by Baba Amte in 1951.