Lifers' kids get new life
By Raja
Kommuri
BANGALORE: What's your purpose in life?
Very few can give a quick answer to that question. Among them is
V Mani, who retired two years ago as AGM from RBI, Bangalore.
No easy retired life for him, sitting back and reading
newspapers. Instead, he has taken on a huge family. A special family
of 16 children.
``I used to pass in front of Central Jail on my way to work
everyday. The sight of all those family members waiting for a
glimpse of a loved one inside moved me,'' he said. He was
particularly struck by the children.
He wanted to do something for those rendered orphans for all
practical purposes when their parents went to jail for life. And the
result is Socare Ind (Society's Care for Indigent). It cares for the
life convicts' children who have no one else.
As you enter his house in Rajajinagar II Phase, you see him among
a group of children. He gives one a hug, another a kiss. Most of
them are below five years. Mani appears a kid himself, though all of
60 years, as he plays, quarrels and laughs with them.
The children have a disciplined schedule, where along with
tuitions, there is playtime, prayers and the occasional punishment.
And then, the usual stuff kids love, like biscuits, sweets.
Says Mani, ``Their parents may be criminals, but let me tell you,
these boys are very well behaved.''
``They have every right to lead a good life in society. They
should not be made to pay for their parents' sins.''
Many of their parents are dreaded killers. Prakash, a
three-year-old boy, comes from a family of murderers. ``His father,
mother and uncles are all murderers. The court asked me to take care
of this boy,'' he said.
There are cases where the father of a boy has killed his mother.
And the other way around. Six-year-old Suresh watched helplessly as
his mother killed his father with a stone. Now she is behind bars
for life.
``Mani is a man with a golden heart,'' says Revanasiddaiah, IG,
Prisons. ``I feel emotional whenever I think of him.''
Mani acts as a bridge between the convict parents and the kids.
He moves the parole petition on behalf of the convicts. And when
they occasionally get time out on parole, they stay in the house.
He has a staff of four: A cook, an assistant cook, and two ayahs.
He wants to expand as they grow.
Where does he get the money to look after this big family?
Surely, it doesn't come cheap. He needs to spend on their food,
clothes and school fees.
Mani says he deposited all his retirement benefits in the bank
for this purpose. His three grown-up children who are abroad send a
little every month. But for the rest, he depends on the charity of
friends and well-wishers. He does not want to approach the
government.
The school where the kids are studying waived the admission fee
and gave a concession in the monthly fees too.
Knowing their background can leave scars on their minds; Mani
takes care to ensure the children feel normal. In fact, the
principal of the school told him not to tell the kids about their
background. Yet, many of them knew why they are here.
``At times, I remember my parents, but I don't miss them, I am
happy here with uncle,'' says four-year-old Devaraj. ``I know my
father is in jail. I went to see him thrice.''
Nagaraj, 6, is a rank student. ``I want to study and achieve
something big unlike my father,'' he says.
Mani is ambitious. ``I want to support the children of all life
convicts in Karnataka.'' But he needs help.
He can be reached at manisocare@usa.net (Web Exclusive)
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