Chris Valentino, sdb Lonavla, November 19, 2008: “The loving and caring work being done by Maria Ashiana Therapeutic Centre for the street boys is similar to the work of parents,” said Mr. Kumthekar, Chairman of the Lonavla Press-Reporter’s Association. He was speaking at the C
hildren’s Day Programme organised at Maria Ashiana Therapeutic Centre on 14 November, 2008. Children from Kune Village also participated in this lively cultural gathering alongwith the boys of Maria Ashiana. Also, present on the occasion were Mr Chandrakant Joshi (Press-reporter with Maval Varta Times), Srs. Jeena Mary and Vinita, besides a few other local residents. The boys of Maria Ashiana staged skits, dances and a piano recital interspersed with interesting shayaris bringing out the jovial aspects of childhood. Earlier
in the day, the boys visited the Lonavla Police Station and interacted with the Police-‘uncles.’ Expressing their fear and prejudice regards policemen in general; the boys posed varied questions to the men in khaki. Dy.S.P Ghadge, Senior Inspector Sudam Dharekar and Head Constable Salunke, responded to the queries with great composure and clarity. Later snacks, sponsored by Mrs and Mr Sharma were distributed by the policemen. It was an eventful Children’s Day Programme well organized by the dedicated staff at Maria Ashiana and was covered by the vernacular newspaper ‘Lokmat.’