25/12/2022
Christmas is a huge celebration for many and no different for some living in poor conditions. Kids consider Santa, a magic of making wishes come true. But who is Santa for the little ones surviving winters in tattered torn clothes with no access to books or toys, whose only wish is to have a full meal a day.
Keeping this in mind, PETALS and ASTHA together reached out to around 150 kids at a brick kiln in Rohanda with a magic show, games, toys, and a wholesome lunch. The sparkle and shine in their smiles elated us too. We could be Santa-like at least for a day.
The elderly, who once hoped that their kids would look after them in old age find themselves in old-age homes or shelters. Subhashnath Babu of Manabik Ranaghat represented Petals and conveyed our love and support for the elderly through our gifts.
Our Mr.Samir Adhikari reached out to an unfortunate mother of a 27yr old differently abled and conveyed the love and financial support provided by our social media friend Mr. Santanu Basu.
Some kids were provided with mattresses at Bira Bharat Seva Ashram by Mr. Subir Das and Mrs. Ivy Das on their daughter’s birthday.
Many hands, one heart, one intention. Could all these people, often neglected by society feel the presence of Santa? We found Santa through the happiness and cheer we could spread. Did you find Santa? Do let us know.
Stay happy and blessed. Dr. Sudha Mallareddy
PETALS
9674811628
27/11/2022
20/11/2022
October 2022
We have come to the end of the great celebration called “Durgotsav “. Our Puja Special Mission has been happily accomplished as many needy families have been assured of 52 kg of ration and other essentials for about two months. Friends and well-wishers from India and abroad extended their continuous support and encouragement. We had the full active backing of prestigious organizations along with Astha NGO and many other volunteers. We had all been working together with the sole intent to reach out to the extremely needy ones in society. Strangers became friends and part of the Petals family. New clothes, essential study materials, medicines for the elderly, and many more puja gifts were provided to many backward families. Self-reliance was also our main project of us. We wished to celebrate Puja including one and all in our festivities, leaving none behind. Happy parents could venture out to pandals with well-fed kids. All are at peace.
JAY MAA DURGA. Do come early next year with your bundle of Grace and gifts.
May this ending pave the way for new possibilities to spread more love around. We are forever grateful to the kind-hearted persons who shared their unconditional love with us.
Shubho Bijaya and happy Dussera to ALL!!!
A very happy Diwali and Happy New Year, 2023 in advance!!!
Stay Blessed.
BARANAGAR PETALS
9674811628
19/08/2022
There are many unfortunate kids fighting the odds of dreadful cancer. No open sky, no playground; neither school nor education for them. Life ticking away lying on a hospital bed, bearing the pain and pressure of pricking needles, high doses of medicine, and chemotherapy. And cancer has brought with it other ailments adding to the agony.
On Janmashtami Petals reached out to these brave hearts at two places:
★Institute of Child Health (ICH, Kolkata)
★CanKids KidsCan Home,
with hearts full of love and compassion along with ‘Noni Handi’ (Butter Pot) filled with gifts and goodies. We wished to offer some moments of fun and frolic for these little fighting Krishnas. The new addition this year was the magic show which won the hearts of little Gopalas. The cancer-free children also shared joy with the sick children.
We are humbled by supporting these fighters in their fight against cancer. We had the support of the kind-hearted Dr. Sumon Poddar in every way possible. We are grateful to all Krishna devotees who joined hands to offer the Noni Handi (Butter Pot) in the hands of these kids.
Wishing early recovery for these fighters.
With lots of love.
Dr. Sudha Mallareddy
PETALS
The event happened on the 19th and 20th August, 2022
23/04/2022
April 2022
After a prolonged struggle for about 115 days, Baranagar Petals, striving for the well-being of differently-abled, elderly, and children of the weaker sections of society, brought back an elderly mother from the perils of disease and distress. A plate of food was an honor; love – an illusion; a piece of clean cloth – a distant thought and cure or treatment – a mere dream for this 70yr old mother- Bhabani Bhattacharya. She used to live on the filthy footpath near Dum Dum station, seeking food and alms. A heap of old clothes and a small bag with some coins were her only possession.
Baranagar Petals have been providing lunch packets to the hungry and deprived in and around Kolkata for some years. That is how Petals met the old mother who lived on the footpath under the bridge of Dumdum station. On 12th April 2022 members of the Petals family were taken aback when they came across this elderly lady with a deep maggot-infested injury on her head, stinking and lying in agony. Immediately with assistance from local police, she was taken to R G KAR Hospital, where she was denied admission but was attended to by Dr. Pinky Singh under the open sky because of the maggot infestation. She was provided first aid. We had no other option than to take her back and the daily dressing was done. With no improvement in her condition, we approached R G Kar Hospital again. After a long struggle, Petals with much persuasion and help from the authorities and police, she was provided a bed in R G Kar Hospital after 6 days and proper treatment started. The story does not end here. Members of Petals have been constantly beside her providing all kinds of support with daily visits, instilling faith with love and compassion. She got her family back – the Petals family. Three months have passed by, with the elderly mother facing 3 operations with plastic surgery. Now she is completely healed. A place for her stay has been arranged in an old-age home as we do not intend to leave her back on the footpath in the sunset years of her life. Her health, food, and accommodation will be taken care of here along with other senior citizens. We wish her a comfortable stay here with a life full of health and happiness in her newfound home- “Bhalobasha Neer” (Bhalobasa Old Age Home)
We continue on our journey with our humane efforts as there are many more elderly mothers waiting to be cared for. Your constant support to continue our movement is gratefully acknowledged.
Dr. Sudha Mallareddy
PETALS
February 2022
By the grace of God, Indrajit (Alok) Chowdhury has now begun a new journey in his life. In June 2020, Indrajit’s body was burned with 11000 volts. Treatment continued at a prominent hospital in Kolkata. The left hand was amputated in just three days. He thought he would live with one hand. But there was something else written in his destiny. The right
hand was also amputated due to deteriorating physical condition. This was like a curse. The lower part of the waist was also disabled. Deep darkness descended on the family. During the Corona in 2020, Indrajit stood by the side of many people by supplying oxygen cylinders, sometimes medicines, and sometimes food to the suffering people. Then suddenly Alok’s own life was shattered.
But no, destiny is not like that. In 2021, we Petals learned about Indrajit and stood beside him. After hearing all the words, a member of Petals took responsibility for Indrajit’s child. But the end is not here. Indrajit Chowdhury has to live. That’s why the senior members of Petals started looking for a way out. Through Mrs. Swapna Chowdhury we came to know Mr. Debopam Chakraborty and his wife Mrs. Aditi Chakraborty at Secunderabad. We got to know about Reboot Orthocare where Alok can get Robotic Hands. But the value of this hand is much higher. Combining two hands means a huge amount. But no, Petals did not back down because Petals vowed to move forward.
On 31st January 2022 Alok started his journey with three of his family members to Secunderabad with the help of PETALS. Debopambabu and Aditi Devi took over all the responsibilities of Alok in Secunderabad. An immense battle lasted for eight days. We are also grateful to SAPREM (NGO) for all their support to bring Alok Chowdhury back to normal life. Two hands were planted successfully. After two years, Alok drank water and ate food with his own hands. He also ate biryani at the hotel. He was overjoyed. The lower part of the waist has started to heal slowly with the help of exercise. Dr. Sahoo of Reboot Orthocare has said that he would always be there to solve such problems in India.
The end is not here. PETALS has taken full responsibility for the physiotherapy of Alok Chowdhury. Our battle will continue till Alok get back to full normalcy.
Petals have taken an oath that “When everyone turns away when despair sets in, we will stand by the people who need a little bit of empathy, a little bit of love today.”