Adhartirth- Orphans inscribe their future

 Recently, I found an opportunity to visit an Ashram (Community Home) which is about 25KM away from Nasik (Maharashtra). About 250 boys and girls have taken refuge here, whose parents have committed suicide, as they were unable to repay the bank loans taken for the agricultural purposes. Maharashtra and North India based Warkari cult manages the whole show on its own expenditure.

Founded in 2007, Adhartirth houses the children of age group 3 to 16 years. The Ashram takes care of their complete needs, like food, clothes and schooling. No government aid is taken; even the volunteers, teachers and care takers do not take any salary. There are four elderly women, who take care of the children also work without any remuneration. In fact, these women also lost their husbands as they committed suicide being unable to carry the burden of agriculture loan.

Former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam, social activist Anna Hajare, Magsaysay Prize winner Nilima Mishra, film star Madhuri Dixit and many others have visited the Ashram and acclaimed the noble work of Warkari Community.

Manohar Vyavhare, In-charge of the Ashram told that farming has become too costly due to constant enhancement in the inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, equipments, labour charges etc., leading many farmers to commit suicide. The children pass through traumatic phase of their lives after demise of their father. Grooming them is very difficult by other relatives. Realizing the need of the society, Warkari Cult established the Ashram. Rotary Club and a few enterprises are also helping. Children from different parts of the State have taken refuge here and trying to reconstruct their destiny. The whole expenditure is being borne by the Warkaris. People from the society often help individually.

The Ashram started with 22 children. Earlier the kids were sent to other schools. Later, need of a separate school was felt when the number of the children continuously increased; and the school came in to being in 2008.

Initially, only those children were kept in the ashram whose fathers have committed suicide, later a suggestion came in that those children should also be accommodated who have lost their fathers in snake sting, lightening or other accidents.

Understanding the psyche of the children and bringing back their life on the track is the real challenge before the Ashram volunteers.

A class VI student Jana Chaudhri of Eklaga village (District Yavatmal) wants to become Police Officer, while Medha Ramesh Bhoi of Mokhada Block of Thane district aims to become a teacher. Durgesh Raosaheb Kuwar (Waskhedi of Dhule) dreams of becoming an engineer; similarly, 9 year old Pooja Sapkal (village Goghdi, Buldhana) wishes to teach the children after she grows. Standerd-III student Lalit Bhadane wants to become a doctor.

Contact Details of Adhartirth Ashram:-

Phone Nos.- +91 9420464553/ +91 9767816481

email-adhartirth@gmail.com

 website- www.adhartirth.com

WARKARI CULT

Warkari Cult has history of 700 years

The cult has a history of about 700 years. Many saint poets like Gyaneshwar, Tukaram, Namdeo, Narhari Sonar, Chokhamela, Muktabai, Sena Nahvi, Bhanudas have come from the Warkari Cult. Bhajans (religious songs) sung by the Warkaris are called as Abhang, which are quite melodious and thoughtful.

Warkaris have enriched the literature and music of Maharashtra, which has been the birth state of this cult.

In Marathi (language of Maharashtra) Warkari means Pilgrimage. The cult opines that the life is a holy journey and the person is a pilgrim. They are known for their honesty, humbleness, dutiful, morality, truthfulness and other virtues. They are also pure vegetarians, away from all kinds of intoxication.