For rescued kids, a building of hope in Thane

In the heart of Thane city at Vartak Nagar, stands a TMC building named 'Bal Snehalay'. The name seems apt as one of the floors of the structure is home to 14 children, who have been rescued by the GRP from various railway platforms across Mumbai.In a first of its kind initiative, the Mumbai GRP, Thane police, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and NGO Rainbow Foundation have joined hands to run a shelter home for such abandoned children.'Bal Snehalay' is currently hope for these 14 children who could have been trafficked or got into drugs had there been no timely intervention by the GRP. All the children, ranging from 8 years to 15 years are taking baby steps towards a better future where they would no longer have to deal with abusive parents, hunger and drug addicts who would abuse them."We at Bal Snehalay ensure that all the children get proper food, clothing, shelter and most importantly education. All the children are enrolled into TMC run schools where they are getting formal education which they have been deprived all these years," said Satinder Sethi from Rainbow Foundation.Sethi added, "We are happy that the GRP commissioner, TMC commissioner and Thane police have come together for this noble cause and thus given these kids an opportunity for a better future."The children at 'Bal Snehalaya' who until few months ago used to beg, or do odd jobs for a living, have now ambitions to make it big in the society. One of the shelter inmates, a 15-year-old boy, said, "I lived at Andheri station and would do odd jobs as my parents were very poor, but not here. I am going to school and I will give my best to become a pilot."