Shyamsundar Jal of Dharmagarh in Kalahandi has cared for and brought up at least 100 orphans in the past 32 years. Though poor, the lack of resources has not discouraged him from taking care of these helpless children. Many of the children who have been brought up at his Jashoda Ashram have gone on to study in respectable institutions like KISS and KIIT in Bhubaneswar. He has also solemnised the marriage of 13 girls and six boys of his orphanage. His children and brothers deserted him as they did not like the social service he was doing. Sunday POST met Shyamsundar to learn more about his selfless work.
“In 1986, when my father died, I was very young,” he said. “My mother brought up my four siblings and me with great difficulty by working in our neighbourhood. We did not have the opportunity to go to school. My brothers started working as cowherds. I tried my hand at tailoring. Soon I started earning and helped my mother to start a small business. She used to buy peanuts, gram, and turmeric packets and sell them in nearby villages.”
“One day, she was on her way to a market when she noticed an infant deserted by someone in a bin. She requested me to save the child. I told her we can’t afford two square meals a day for ourselves, how can we bring in another member into the household. But I saw tears in her eyes and reached the spot with an old cloth she gave me to rescue the infant. People ridiculed us for adopting the baby, but my mother did not care. Sometime later, I rescued another baby from a hospital drain. The first infant I brought home is 32 years old now,” Shyam added.
“It was difficult for us to arrange milk for the children. My mother started feeding them rice gruel. Gradually, the number of infants in our home grew. People often taunted me and called me a child lifter and some of them manhandled me. Later, some childless couples came to adopt children from my home.
Shyam continued: “Meanwhile, my mother died, and I had to single-handedly shoulder the responsibility of several kids.
“I never went to school. I was part of a ‘sankirtan’ group as a singer. At the time I met Kasturi, my life partner, people dissuaded her from marrying me as I was poor and didn’t have the means to feed her. When she told me what the people were saying, I said, ‘God has given us a chance to serve these orphans.’ Kasturi took full responsibility of the children like a mother at Jashoda Ashram. It was as if I had got my mother back.
“Years later, our own children left us at the behest of my brothers. Yet, I never felt sorry for them. I wanted them to live well. I am happy that my 100-odd children consider me their father,” Shyam added.
“Once I rescued a child from a drain and brought him to my house. Someone informed the police that I had confined infants in a pathetic condition. Police picked me from my house at midnight and put me in jail accusing me of lifting children. They beat me up. The next day my wife came to the jail and got me released.”
He continued: “At another time, I was celebrating the 21st day of an infant I had rescued. The MLA of our constituency (now a minister) came to our orphanage and praised me for the noble work. The MLA also promised to provide funds for the orphans. After several months, I went to his house and he asked me to meet him in Bhubaneswar. I went to Bhubaneswar but could meet him only after four days. As he was busy otherwise, he instructed me to meet one Bablu in Junagarh for assistance. I had no money to return to my village. I boarded a bus and when the conductor found that I had travelled without ticket, he slapped me. At Junagarh, I couldn’t find any person named Bablu despite my best efforts. That day, I decided not to depend on anyone, especially a politician.
“I remember another incident. An IAS officer came to our place and came to know that I run an orphanage. Some villagers and my brothers told him that I was a mad person named ‘Shyam pagal’ who picks anyone from the roadside. The officer visited my home and found the children sleeping on rags. He also abused me,” said Shyam.
But after years of struggle, Shyam’s work was appreciated. On the advice of some government officers, the home was registered as Jasoda Orphanage, Jasoda being the name of Shyam’s mother. Thanks to public donations, some rooms were built, and the orphans received financial aid. Doctors and government officials visited the orphanage. Larry and Darla, a couple from London, visited the orphans with Dr Kumar of Junagarh and provided mattresses, blankets, pots, utensils, toys, writing desks and books for children. Some children from the orphanage are now studying in English medium schools with the help of sponsors.
Kasturi Jal said, “When I got married to Shyam, there were eight kids here. Our neighbours advised me against keeping the kids here. But, I decided to stand by him. Now, I am mother to a hundred children though my own children left me. We have now started an old age home named ‘Shyam Ashray’ which has 15 residents at present.”
Ranjan Tandi, an ashram employee, says, “Shyamsundar brought me here from a roadside dump yard. A childless couple adopted me. Now, I am married, and I lead a life with dignity working for the Ashram. Shyamsundar and his wife are our parents.”
Babita Jal, an Ashram inmate, says, “I don’t know how I came here. But I know Shyamsundar and Kasturi are my parents. I am employed at the orphanage. I have completed intermediate from a women’s college. The ashram inmates help each other like a family.”
Ranjita Jal, 29, Ashram caretaker, says, “I came here from Junagarh when I was 17. My parents died in an accident. I take care of the children, cook and wash clothes. My 13 younger sisters here got married but I do not want to leave this place.”
For his selfless social service, Shyamsundar has been felicitated by many organisations. He has received many awards, including:
- 16th Godfrey Phillips Bravery Award
- Mother Teresa award 2016
- Sebaratna Samman 2015
- Pradyumna Bal Smaraki Samman 2008
- Citizen’s Forum for Human Rights award, Bhubaneswar
- State Council for Artistic Research and Training award
- Pravasi Odia Samman
Bratati Baral, OP