Say Cheese

Group in city has been spreading smiles where they are rare

Last Sunday, a group of young men and women reached the Bandra East Community Centre with a magician in tow. In the run-up to Diwali, this was the group's own way of bringing cheer to the 70 boys there.

The magic show enthralled the children and the football match organised for them made their day in their otherwise drab lives. The children would cherish these moments.

The event also made the day for the group, for it was for moments like these that Kshana — the group functions under this name — was born. 'Kshana' in Sanskrit means 'moment.'

Such charitable activities during major festivals are common, but what makes Kshana stand apart is that it has been devoting at least one Sunday every month for the last 10 years to make the less privileged smile.

Since 2001 the group has covered more than a hundred orphanages, old age homes, homes for the mentally and physically challenged and other such places, giving children and adults there moments to treasure.

"We started the group when we felt that food, clothing and shelter are provided for the underprivileged by several organizations but the fun element is missing. Through Kshana we organize educational and entertainment-based events at shelter homes in the city," said Roshni Dadabhoy, a 27-year-old member of the core committee of Kshana.

Roshni, now a writer with Zapak Digital had joined the group in 2004 when she was still a student.

For every event, Kshana comes up with innovative ideas. Among other activities, Kshana has taught children how to make designs on paper using numbers, how to make keychains and play with hula-hoops and shown them how a Ph indicator works by changing colour depending on acidity or alkalinity of a substance. Members of Kshana have taught patients how to make their own wall clocks to adorn their rooms. They have entertained senior citizens at old age homes by playing housie and antakshari with them.

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