Posted: 04/11/2009
Asha has received many high-profile guests in the past, but on 3rd November, Asha and the residents of Ekta Vihar were particularly excited to welcome a high-profile politician from their own country. Shri LK Advani, Leader of the Opposition, Parliament of India, waved to hundreds of people as they lined the streets outside their homes or leaned over balconies to catch a glimpse of him on his way to the Asha centre.
Once there, members of the area's women's group told him about the condition of Ekta Vihar nearly twenty years ago, and many of their achievements since then. In turn, Mr Advani entertained them with anecdotes including one about an encounter at a snake-infested pool in a village, and assured them that all the hardships they have endured will only make them stronger.
Mr Advani seemed particularly pleased to meet Asha's new students, and encouraged them to work as hard as possible at everything they do, no matter how small the task, naming famous cricketers in his examples.
Next, he met the Bal Mandal children who presented him with cards they had made, and proudly displayed their computer skills by looking up Mr Advani's profile on the internet.
Mr Advani was then welcomed into the home of one of one of the women's group member, and was impressed at the dramatic difference between her standard of living and what he knew of typical slum homes.
A tour of the Asha polyclinic and introductions to the staff completed a visit that gave Mr Advani a vivid impression of how Asha is continuing to transform lives in the slums.
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I grew up in a slum area, but Asha helped me to understand the importance of education. I've worked hard in school for years, and Asha gave me books and extra tuition when I needed it. Now I'm in engineering college! It's a dream come true for me.
Mahinder, Ekta Vihar
