Bangalore's miracle baby turns 3

It has been long and challenging journey for Srinivasa and his caretaker Mala since he was found abandoned in a dustbin at Gandhi Bhawan near Bangalore University in August 2008.

Mala, a class IV university employee, had adopted Srinivasa. On Friday, he turned three years old and Mala recounted the tale as Srinivasa happily ran around the university office building where a puja and cake-cutting ceremony was held for him.

Here is her story:
“On August 29, 2008, around 3 pm, I was taking a walk when I saw a group of people talking about a child abandoned in a dustbin. Although some people had already gone to rescue the child before me, they could not pull the child out as his body was covered with worms and ants. Among them were two children who got sacred as they tried to help him out.

“When I reached the spot, I too was shocked by the sight. My hands began to tremble. But somehow, I caught the child by the leg and pulled him out. Since his body was covered with ants, I hurriedly started wiping them away. His eyes and nose were in bad shape,” said Mala.

After filing a complaint at Jnana Bharati police station, Srinivasa was taken to a nearby hospital. By then, his face had swollen. I took him to a hospital where he was kept for 15 days after which he was taken to Makkala Sahayavani.

“Later, when I visited him, it struck me that my family should adopt him,” said Mala.

But it took a while for the adoption process to come through. Although on paper, Mala’s daughter Bhavya SG and son-in-law Mahesh SG adopted the child, it is Mala who looks after the child. On weekends, he spends his time with his adopted parents, while through weekdays, he is with Mala.

For Mala, Srinivasa is like her other two children. Now she wants her ‘third child’ also to study well and stand on his own feet.

“I want him to study well. He can pursue whichever field he wants to,” she said.
Bhavya said the years left behind had been quite challenging, especially with Srinivasa being in and out of hospital every few weeks.

“However, we have received more support than we expected from various organisations including the Bangalore University,” she said.

The family wants to encourage the boy to indulge in sports activities, music and dance. “We want him to be a role model for others,” said Bhavya.

“We’re extremely proud of this ‘special child,’” she said.

“As he grows up, we will slowly tell him how we found him. We want him to take it positively. He should have the mindset to understand it,” said Bhavya.