Bapuji Children’s Home Trust turns 50

What began as a compassionate response to abandoned babies in the 1970s has grown into a beacon of hope for children and the destitute elderly.

Dr. (Mrs.) Anandi Bai Prasad, a Mysuru-based doctor, first opened her heart to new-borns that were abandoned at her maternity home, temples, streets and even dustbins. She gave shelter and care to these children within the premises of her Prasad Nursing Home.

She recognised the need for a more formal care, creating Bapuji Children’s Home Trust in 1975 and eventually establishing purpose-built facility Bapuji Children’s Home in Gokulam 3rd Stage, Mysuru. In 1977, the Karnataka Government recognised the Home as a “Fit Person Institution.”

Caring for Orphans

The Bapuji Children’s Home has provided a family-like environment, education and vocational training to children, irrespective of caste or creed. While some have been adopted, others are nurtured to adulthood and guided into higher education and skilled professions. We have sheltered over 1,000 children till date. Around 300 children were adopted from parents in India and even abroad till date.

Marriages of 45 girls have been arranged till date with loving families.

Over the years, 50 children with special needs like Down’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, Blindness and even HIV infected have received special individualised care and therapy and remain lifelong residents if required.

From new-borns to children of various ages, all have been cared, nurtured, educated and loved as good as in their parental homes.

National Recognition

For its outstanding service to child welfare, Government of India honoured Bapuji Children’s Home with the National Award in 1988, presented by the then President R. Venkataraman to Dr. Anandi Bai.

Expanding the Mission

Recognising wider social needs, it was Dr. Anandi Bai’s wish to establish a home for the elderly. However, due to her demise in 1993, she could not see her vision to fruition. Following her desire, the Trust established a small old-age home in the premises of the Children’s Home itself in 1995, to shelter destitute women.

This later shifted to newly built Bapuji Anand Ashram in 2001, currently a three-building complex situated on a beautiful 2-acre plot that now houses elderly men and women in a dignified, community setting. It provides shelter, comfort and medical help when needed, even perform the last rites of its residents; all totally free of any charge to them. We have provided care for around 700 residents till date. Currently there are 58 residents in the Ashram which can accommodate up to 90.

In 2010, the Trust added another service in its fold by establishing Gaonkar Memorial Dialysis Centre, a charitable facility offering haemodialysis at a fraction of commercial rates. The Centre, supported by local Nephrologists, performed 10,931 dialysis sessions for numerous patients before closing in February 2019.

About the Founder

Dr. Anandi Bai Prasad — Founder and first Secretary of Bapuji Children’s Home Trust — was born in Gangoli, Kundapura, in 1912. She did her MBBS in Mysore Medical College (MMC) and married her classmate Dr. D.R. Prasad. Together they worked tirelessly for the people of Mysore and surrounding districts. They established the first privately run medical clinic known as Prasad Nursing Home.

After her husband’s demise, it was renamed Prasad Memorial Medical Centre and expanded to a 60-bedded medical facility. She was a selfless and caring doctor. Her social service was limitless, involved in care and shelter of orphans, education, dedicating her life to the betterment and welfare of women and children.

A Living Legacy

From eight abandoned infants to a thriving network of children, elders and patients, Bapuji Children’s Home Trust stands as a testament to Dr. Prasad’s vision of “Service before Self.”

Acknowledgements

It would be remiss not to acknowledge the efforts of past and present Trustees and supporting staff, without whom the continual work of the Trust would not have been possible.

In particular, the Secretary Dr. Alok Gupta and our Treasurer Mrs. Mamta Gupta whose devoted and dedicated service span over 40 years.

In addition, the Manager of the Trust Mrs. Nanda Prasad who has been with the institution for over 38 years.

A special mention is also due to our generous donors and patrons who have helped in the growth and advancement of the numerous services that have been developed and run by the Trust.

[Compiled by Dr. Sangeetha Mahesh, Honorary Trustee]