Kathmandu:

The manner in which the children greeted the doctor with a cheerful “Jai Bal Bhojan” was proof of the significance that ‘Bal Bhojan’ held in their lives.

This slogan binds the lives of many children to this doctor.

“Have you had dinner?”

This simple question led to the start of Bal Bhojan, a ritual and a tradition that has made sure that hundreds of children do not have to go to bed on an empty stomach.

It all began one evening when Dr Shuddh S Rauniyar, while returning home from work, saw a street child and asked him, “Have you had dinner?”

The child replied in the negative and this kind-hearted doctor decided to buy him dinner. This child took Dr Rauniyar to a place where dinner was served for Rs 5. The next day he took a few more children to dinner, and thus a tradition was born at the Yatkha Tole on Ashad 29, 2056 BS.

The children and the doctor got used to this routine. Around 20 children used to arrive at his clinic every evening, and along with the doctor they used to make their way to their favourite haunt for dinner. This went on for around six months before Dr Rauniyar decided to request his patients to join in, to which they agreed readily.

Through word of mouth, the word spread, well-wishers, friends and others chipped in, and today Bal Bhojan is enjoyed by 150 children everyday. Most of them come to enjoy a hearty meal after a hard day on the streets selling plastics and doing other such odd jobs.

The children enjoy the meals prepared by their ‘Aama’, a name lovingly

conferred upon the lady at the local joint in Yatkha Tole, for relentlessly preparing the meals every morning and evening.

Yes, the evening meals branched out to serving morning meals too.

The morning meals are an incentive for the children to attend the Bal Siksha classes at Yatkha Bahal, which is an extension of Bal Bhojan.

“The classes actually are like an incentive for the children because those who come for the classes in the morning are given meals morning as well,” says Dr Rauniyar.

Besides the academics, the children are also involved in other activities like art and craft, sewing and music.

“I asked my friends where they went in the evenings, and they brought me to Bal Bhojan. That was three years ago,” says Rama Magar, who came for her evening meals, but now attends the Bal Siksha classes.

Talking about the children who come to Bal Siksha, Ambika Bista who has been teaching here since its inception says, “For most of them, we are their guardians. They share their joys and sorrows with us.

So, unlike regular schools, there is more togetherness among us here.”

Enriching the lives of so many street children and consistently working for their uplift, their efforts have been applauded. But they have also faced their share of criticisms.

Defending their earnest attempt, Shailu Bista, another teacher at Bal Siksha says, “We believe we have been successful in helping these children in every possible way. The children who have been with us have taken the right track. We may not have been able to eradicate the problem of street children, but we have helped those who could have otherwise ended up as street children.”

An afterthought after visiting the place: Why not share this year’s birthday or any other special occasion with these children? On your special day, you could make it special for dozens of others as well.