Rasila's father was one of the 25,000 people that the quake consumed, driving her terrified pregnant mother to despair and psychological problems.
In this turmoil Rasila came to the world. Just a few months later her mother passed away.
Relatives felt Rasila invited bad luck and tossed her around, none willing to bring her up. Unwanted Rasila's future looked bleak, if not doomed.
That was when (Rajesh Kaswani),
one of the trustees of the Arya Samaj in Gandhidham town of Kutch district
came to know about the child.
....
The home was aptly named Jeevan
Prabhat, or the dawn of life.
.....
"We considered the tragedy in its totality. Women who lost their husbands in the quake have been employed to look after the children here. So it is rehabilitation for both -- the orphaned children and widows.
"Apart from residential and other facilities, we give them (widows) a monthly salary of Rs.2,000."
Says Savitri Suthar, a 28-year-old woman who lost her husband in the quake and has been living at Jeevan Prabhat since: "I have three children and they live here with the other children. I treat all of them as my own as they all shared the same tragedy.
"I am grateful that I get a salary apart from all the facilities here. This will help me build my children's careers."
The entire Jeevan Prabhat project is expected to cost Rs.30 million. Kandla Port Trust has donated two acres of land to the Arya Samaj, a Hindu religious sect, for the project at a token price of one rupee an acre. A building is coming up on this land at a rapid pace and is expected to be complete by the yearend.
"This would house about 250 children and 15 widows," says Deepak Bhatt, the project executive.
..... At present they have been housed at the Vedic Sanskar Kendra, another Arya Samaj building." (SHOCKING! SHOCKING! HOW FASCIST! )
Adds Jeswani: "We have received Rs.10 million until now and are approaching others for more funds as we don't accept any donation from the government."
.... "Children are still coming here with the hope of a new life. We frequently visit villages and wherever such children are found, we bring them to our centre with the consent of their relatives."
Says five-year-old Balkrishna, who
was a child labourer before his neighbours brought him to the home for
orphans: "I enjoy life here. I have made many friends and am happy."
....
Asked whether they play pranks,
he adds shyly: "Sometimes".