BWF's Jammu home, 'FAH', performed havan to celebrate its second anniversary (please find pictures attach)

Amid sonorous chants of gayatri matra, Borderless World Foundation’s home in Jammu, ‘FAH’, celebrated its second anniversary on 4th September 2011, at its premise in Barnai, Jammu. Around 70 people attended the ceremony, including dignitaries such as Major General TSP Waraich and his wife, Head Mistress of Ranjit Memorial Public School Ms Krishna Jamwal, as well neighbours, mothers of few of the kids, supporters and ofcourse, the children and BWF staff.
The prayers of all our friends, supporters and well-wishers ensured that we had an unexpectedly great weather throughout the havan ceremony. The children had stayed up till late last night, making and decorating the gratitude cards for the guests, and were up as early as 5 am this morning, to prepare for the havan- decorating the entrance with streamers, garlands, and making the rangoli, etc.
Ms Rajani Devi, the warden of the home, said, “Last year, we were still quite new to this place, people in the neighborhood barely knew us. This year, we have more children, and also, people around have shown a lot of love and generosity towards us. We are very happy, it seems like one huge family.”
Adhik Kadam, the founder and Chairman of BWF said, “In 1997 when I first came here, I saw a lot of migrant camps in Jammu, not just kashmirir pundits but also people from border areas in jammu region. I witnessed the appalling condition in which people, especially children lived in the camp. They were all surviving, but surviving is different from living. Living reflects not just physical but also spiritual and mental growth. True living requires the right kind of culture, which life in camp could not and cannot provide. Without real freedom, the chances of children going on the wrong track is very high. This home was set up with the intent of proving the children with the right kind of culture, for their real growth as human being, to heal their wounds. That is also why we call this “home” and not an orphanage.”
The home in Jammu came into being in 2009, its current strength is 15 girls belonging mostly to the Kashmiri Pandit community. Most of them lived in the Kashmiri migrants campbefore they were brought to us, and belong to broken families or have single parents.
Major General TPS Waraich, General Officer Commanding of Tiger Division, who attended the occasion along with his wife, who took part in the havan, freely interacted with the children and enquired about them. “It is very good to see the kind of work Borderless World Foundation is doing, supporting these young girls and helping them stand on their feet. The kids are very confident, and I am sure with your continued dedication, and with the support of all the well-wishers, these girls will have a great future. My wife and I are very happy to be here.”
The event concluded with distribution of the prasadam. The girls gave a hand-made gratitude card to all the guests who came for the ceremony.
This is a great milestone in all our lives, thank you from the bottom of our heart for your continued prayers and support.
Warm regards,
Anamika Gupta
BWF (Delhi Office)