Festivals add colour to life. And, if it is Holi, the joy gets doubled for both children and adults alike. But there are children who do not get to celebrate this vibrant festival with their families. Sunday POST visited Madhurmayee Sikhya Niketan, a hostel in Bhubaneswar that accommodates the children of those convicted by courts, to find out how they celebrate Holi.
“When a person is convicted, he is put into prison to pay for his wrongdoing. But do we ever think about the children of these prisoners? Madhurmayee Adarsha Sikhya Niketan comes to the rescue of such children. It caters to the emotional and social needs of the children to mitigate the shock of parental sin and its ruinous effect on their life. We ensure that they don’t lead a miserable life as they have not committed any crime,” says Niroja Lakhmi Mohapatra, superintendent of the hostel which was launched with just two children in 2003 and now houses over 50 inmates of different age groups.
Niroja feels that each festival has some relevance, and therefore, needs celebration. She says, “I have closely observed kids whose parents are in prisons. Most of them don’t get the opportunity to lead a normal childhood. We make constant efforts to identify such kids and offer them a good childhood and education. Festivals can play a crucial role in shaping their lives as they bring exuberance and enthusiasm. I teach my kids to celebrate each festival to bring positive changes in them.”
Be it Holi or any other festival, inmates of Madhurmayee Adarsha Sikhya Niketan celebrate it with fervour.
Rekha Nayak, an inmate and a Plus III final year student of RD Women’s College, said, “I am from Gajapati district. I have been staying in this hostel since 2005 after my father was sentenced to a life term. What I love the most about the institution is that every festival of our state is celebrated with pomp and gaiety. When I was at home, I used to feel like I was confined within the four walls of my house. My parents rarely allowed me to play outdoor games. I used to play Holi with my siblings. We were strictly instructed not to go outside and play Holi with others. Here, I am allowed to live a free life. And when it comes to Holi, we are allowed to play with every inmate. Apart from merrymaking, we feast on special dishes on this occasion.”
Anita Sahoo, who appeared for the Class X board exam recently, said that the Holi celebration at the hostel is unique. “Here we have unlimited fun. Amid celebrations, we never forget to seek the blessings of our elders by putting colours on their toes and greeting them. When I used to be with my parents, I was scared of colours. When I saw the inmates here playing Holi, I also started participating and I fell in love with the festival. We always use natural colours and spend the whole day having fun. I also love to hear the story associated with the festival which I have heard many times from my mother. It’s about King Hiranyakashyap, his sister Holika and son, Prahlad.”
Mohan Majhi, a student of BJB junior college, loves the tradition of Dahi Handi which is part of the Holi celebration at the hostel. He says, “I was studying in Class I when I was brought to the hostel. Dahi Handi is played with full fervour during the Holi festival. A group of boys forms a human pyramid to reach the top and break the Dahi Handi which is filled with a prized possession. When I was with my family, I used to be part of Dola Jatra. If I had to compare the Holi celebration in my village and hostel, I enjoy the celebration in our hostel more.”
Nisarani Bira, who hails from Gajapati district, says, “My siblings and I were brought to the hostel two years back. In our village, I never played Holi but got the opportunity here. Frankly speaking, I have not missed my parents during my two-year stay at the hostel thanks to the love and affection of Niroja Ma’am. I am in Class VI at Capital High School while my siblings are studying in Jharpada Primary School. I love the special dishes prepared on Holi in our hostel, it gives a homely feeling.”
Manas Ranjan Swain was a Class II student when he was brought to the hostel. He was admitted to Jharpada Primary School and later passed Class X from Capital High School. At present, he is pursuing MCA in KIIT after passing BSc.
“Not only Holi, we celebrate each and every festival. Raja and Diwali are also celebrated with fanfare in our hostel. We enjoy as many as 20 kinds of dishes on the day. We never fight among ourselves during the celebration thanks to Niroja Ma’am who has inculcated good values in us. Apart from doing MCA, I work at a deaf and dumb college run by Niroja Ma’am as a lab assistant. I must say that we have never been allowed to miss our family. The inmates residing here are from different castes and communities. But we celebrate each event with equal enthusiasm. We start preparations for Holi two days before the commencement of the festival. We opt for herbal colours to make it safe.”
Lizarani Bhuyan joined the hostel six years back when she was in Class III. She says, “I am studying in Class IX at Capital High School. My two sisters and I are leading a happy life thanks to this institution. Holi is the festival which spreads love and harmony among people. People play with colours with their family members, relatives, friends and neighbours. We enjoy this day by putting colour on each other. Special food items including a variety of sweets, puri and kheer are prepared. Despite being away from our parents, we are never made to feel their absence.”
The hostel is part of the Odisha government’s efforts to implement a reform programme in prisons across the state. It aims to help educate and provide a better life to the inmates’ children. The hostel is managed by a non-government organisation, Odisha Patita Udhar Samiti, and depends on public funding. The hostel authorities make sure to celebrate all major festivals of the state. The aim is not only to keep the ancient tradition and culture of the state alive but also to bring smiles on the faces of children living far away from their families, says the hostel superintendent. The kids enjoy the festival of colours by singing, dancing, playing with colours, and eating delicious food, she adds.
“You have talked to students whose parents have been serving jail terms. You may think that they are hardcore criminals. But that’s not so. Take the case of Rekha Nayak. Both her parents were jailed over a family dispute. While her mother has been released, her father is still serving jail term at Berhampur circle jail. Mohan’s father is in jail while his mother is no more. There was no one to look after him. Anita’s father has recently been released from jail on bail. Same is the case with Manas and others. They all are victims of circumstances,” explains Saroja.
No wonder, when the inmates are sent to their homes to spend summer vacation or Christmas holidays, they return to the hostel before the end of the holidays because of their attachment to the hostel, says Saroja.
RASHMI REKHA DAS, OP