Mysuru: As a welfare measure for the benefit of orphaned/underprivileged children from economically weaker sections of the society who cannot afford regular schooling, South Western Railway (SWR), Mysuru Division, has opened ‘Udaan Anthyodaya Wellness Centre.’

The centre was inaugurated recently by Sujatha Singh, President, South Western Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation, Hubballi, at Bhartiya Sthree Samaj Primary School, Railway Hospital premises, Mysuru in the presence of Ajay Kumar Singh, General Manager, South Western Railway, Hubballi and Aparna Garg, Divisional Railway Manager, South Western Railway, Mysuru Division.

Speaking on the occasion, Ajay Kumar Singh said this initiative is as per the directive of Ministry of Railways and South Western Railway HQ, Hubballi. The Centre will be run purely on voluntary donations by officers, staff and South Western Railway Women’s Organisation, he added.

Singh also said that, 16 children — 9 girls and 7 boys — mostly orphans residing in Bamboo Bazaar and Manjunathapura areas of Mysuru have been brought to the school in the first phase and the identification process for other children up to a maximum of 50 will be undertaken by a team comprising four volunteers from Railways.

Under this scheme, children in the age group of 5-12 years will be given nutritional food, clothing, notebooks, pencils/pen, drawing materials, playing materials and school bags depending on their needs. The children enrolled here will be imparted on issues like cleanliness, good habits, environmental and moral values and make them employable. Transportation arrangement will also be provided by Railways as also basic medical assistance, whenever required, according to a press release from S.G.Yatish, Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager.