Giri-Nikethan Day Centre

One of the members of Giri Nikethan. He enjoys telling stories and riddles.

Some years ago Vijayam became concerned at the lack of facilities for older people in his village. Traditionally in Indian society children are responsible for looking after their parents as they age, but as India becomes more industrialised and westernised the current generation of wage-earners becomes less and less inclined to take on this responsibility. In any case, they may live a long way from their parents, and so be unable to help even if they want to.

Reading the day's news

Vijayam set up a day centre where the elderly members of his village could come and chat together. He also provides them with lunch and a programme of updates on the day's news, prayer and singing. This means that their basic needs for food, company and mental stimulation are met.

Some of the members of the group also help with the process of preparing pippal leaves which are used in the Banyan Tree’s craft workshops. Their delicate but dense structure makes them ideal for painting on. But first they have to be harvested and then soaked in water for about six weeks, after which the green matter can be carefully rubbed off revealing the artistic skeleton structure of the leaf. This provides them with something to do as well as a much-needed source of income.

A couple of mentally handicapped younger men come along to the group as well.

Contributions to HHI enabled us to help support this work but sadly it has now closed. We will look for opportunties to continue such a facility in the future.

Part of the group