Motor syndicate sets example of social responsibility...Steps forward to help Kalimpong-based children’s home

EOI, Darjeeling, 27 Aug 2014 :The Darjeeling town-based Kalimpong Motor Transport Syndicate (KMTS) was moved by the pitiful condition of the inmates at the Little Angels’ Children’s Home located at Kyasyang, a remote area in Pedong, Kalimpong that is being run by Pastor Abner Rai.

In fact, it was syndicate member Bir Bahadur Rai who got the opportunity to visit the children’s home recently when he had gone to drop a passenger in Kalimpong. Upon his return to Darjeeling, he informed syndicate members about the children home and their moral responsibility to do something for the hapless kids.

“We were informed about the children’s home in Kalimpong by Rai. We too were moved and immediately called our members for a meeting. It was decided that we would extend help in kind to the home,” said Mahesh Gurung, the syndicate’s chief advisor.

KMTS members, all 45 of them, pooled-in money from amongst themselves and visited the children’s home on August 24. They had brought along a quintal of rice, 50kg of flour, 15 litres of edible oil, 200 packets of instant noodles, dal, soaps and biscuits along with stationery.

“It is a small effort but we thought our gesture could pave the way for others to do likewise in order to support the home,” said Gurung.

The Little Angels’ Children’s Home was established five years ago by Pastor Rai in his private property with the sole objective of providing free education to the poor and needy children of the area. There are separate dormitories for girls and boys that have tin roofs, but a lot is still left to be done to create a conducive atmosphere for the children to grow up in.

The home has employed two teachers who have volunteered their services and they receive a token amount from the pastor from his own pocket.

“All expenses incurred in running the home are borne by the pastor. He even pays the two teachers. It is a trying condition. The home offers education till the eighth standard after which the pastor uses his resources to get the kids admitted to other schools for their higher education,” said Pritam Tamang, the syndicate’s general secretary, who recollected Pastor Rai as saying, “I am sad when the children are sad and happy when they are happy. Seeing people come forward to help gives me fresh impetus to carry on.

Extending support to the needy is part of the social responsibility the syndicate wants its members to inculcate.

“We lead a hectic lifestyle given our job profile. But we want our members to remain motivated and their minds focused towards social issues so that they are viewed as responsible citizens,” said Tamang.

In the past too, the KMTS has participated in environment protection causes such as planting of tree saplings at the 3rd Mile area and intends to take up more such issues in future proactively.