A kid in need? Namrata to the rescue indeed!
She says that one of her close friends, Krupavathi, is a security guard's daughter and they all go to guitar classes together.\"
Bengaluru: It's gadgets, PlayStations, shopping and partying for majority of youngsters, and more of it during holidays. But this teenager is different and comes as a big surprise as she is on a mission to make the lives of lesser privileged children better.
For Namrata Hangala, all of 14, it all started with a simple idea to help the children from poorer sections feel more included into the mainstream without feeling the burden of class barriers. The other thought was also to help children of her age to stay away from gadgets and do something constructive. "The idea started when I was nine years old and, honestly, it was more to fill the void of a sibling that I felt, as I was a single child. There was also this feeling to help the underprivileged and orphans in some way. There were so many children in the neighbourhood who were only into gadgets during their summer vacations. I wanted them to be more productive during holidays," she says, who along with her two friends - Shuchitha Krishnamurthy and Krupavathi - started 'Dazzling Stars' to teach craft work, English and mathematics and also a bit of cooking (without fire) to the underprivileged children.
But the garage start-up needed a lot of artistic renovation. "The three of us painted the garage wall, decorated and cleaned it before starting the tuition classes for these children. We wanted to give tuitions in all subjects, but started with English and mathematics. Since most of them did not understand English, we taught them in Hindi and Kannada," she explains.
The response was overwhelming. "From three children to 30, we have come a long way. The best thing is the response from our neighbourhood, and how friends and their friends, after knowing about our initiative, came forward and pooled in with help," she adds with a smile.
What started as a simple idea has made a big difference to the lives of many. "Our aim was to make these children feel inclusive as they feel isolated most of the time. Nobody wanted to play with the child of a security guard or a housemaid. But why," she asks.
She says that one of her close friends, Krupavathi, is a security guard's daughter and they all go to guitar classes together. "It is also exciting that we run these classes together. I don't understand this distinction. We are all the same."
On the group's activities, she says, "This year, we have grown bigger, and it is no longer about studies and craft work. We have also included dancing and singing classes. I have taught many kids dancing and singing and these classes are a big success."
Recently, she involved all the children in making greeting cards and letters for their mothers that were read out to their respective mothers on the Mother's Day. "This simple exercise made a big difference in getting the children off their gadgets and helping them get closer to their parents," she says.
The group, for the children and by the children, hosts carnivals and other fun-filled events every year and the revenue earned goes to a charitable cause. "This year, we donated the money earned from the food carnival to a blind school. Last time, we donated some money to the victims of Nepal tragedy," she adds.
This soft- spoken girl, who has been driven by the cause of philanthropy, has definitely shown the way for other teenagers to lead a more meaningful life.
Annual fete
'Dazzling Stars' put up an annual event after the camp, inviting neighbours/residents, creating a montage of the camp and showing it to residents. They also host dance / music shows, showcase art and craft, cut a cake and celebrate yet another year of successful camp closure.