Lakshyam:Embarked Upon a Social Revolution

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Established in 2004, Lakshyam is a social enterprise that uplifts children and women of at-risk communities through education, employment and resource mobilization.

‘Lakshyam Toy Library’ is one of the main programs of Lakshyam that distributes toys and books from the privileged children to the not-so-privileged ones. Toy Boxes are set up in several private schools in Delhi and each child donates a toy and/or book that are then delivered to the 13 tie-up Centers/NGOs across 11 states. Lakshyam Toy Library Centers have been opened in the rural districts of states like Delhi, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Schools like Mother’s International School, Delhi Public School and Laxman Public School have carried out the collection drives of toys & books at their respective campuses.

Butterfly: Child Welfare and Education’ program has been designed, keeping in view the two integral building blocks of a healthy child, Development & Participation. The Remedial Education Center based at the Basti (slum) adopted by Lakshyam, JJ Basti in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi provides an education encompassing textual knowledge and personality development. The children have attended various workshops at venues like Oxford Bookstore, given dance performances at venues like Kingdom of Dreams and at colleges like Kamala Nehru College and DCAC. They recently visited RashtrapatiBhawan on the 14th of November ’14 and met the Hon’ble President of India as well.

The third main program of Lakshyam, ‘Rooh: Awakening Women’s Soul’ focuses on creating an environment conducive for women from the not-so-privileged communities. Theprogram imparts skill-building training and teaches the art of sewing, cutting, stitching and embroidery to women, thus creating opportunities for income enhancement. Focus is also on issues affecting the lives of women, like health & hygiene education, basic civic sense etc.Lakshyam’s product line of handmade products that are crafted and created by the women and adolescents are put up on various online portals, exhibitions and stalls at reputed venues like Bora Bora, Maruti Suzuki Fest and Jamia University Fest among others.

Besides the three main programs of Lakshyam, various health camps and community developmentactivitiesare carried out, in order to bring about long-lasting improvements in the compromised communities undertaken by Lakshyam, in urban and rural environments. Our next coming program is a two-fold initiative of recycling waste paper and producing free of cost notebooks for promoting education.

All the programs are supported by various corporates, colleges and schools along with several local and international volunteers & interns that make for an all-round team. The supporters from various walks of life have been contributing to the social revolution that Lakshyam has embarked upon with great fervour.

If you want to join in too, log on to http://www.lakshyam.co.in or write to us at support@lakshyam.co.in

CHILD WELFARE PROGRAMMES IN INDIA

The revolutionary Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, making elementary education an entitlement for children in the 6-14 age group, 2009 was expected to directly benefit close to ten million children who did not attend school.The act did dramatically raise the number of school going children in the country. When we look back at the education scene,the pitfall primarily on access to education is no longer the real problem now, it is quality of education. A reformist move like this needed to be backed by the will to execute this with passion and in spirit of what was required for the building the nation of tomorrow. 

Many NGOs in India focus on addressing this massive gap in the span of influence and scale each of them muster. Enrollment in schools does not automatically translate into better education. Lakshyam has made a lasting impact in these efforts with the ‘Hands to Hearts’ spirit of doing it.The firm belief of our founder  that ‘Education and holistic development are the weapon against all social evil’ is the cornerstone on which the foundation of learning is imbibed in our efforts. The understanding of the word ‘education’ for us is a wholesome view of raising standards of life covering every possible knowledge about healthcare, water, sanitation, academics, and about life. This is the philosophy behind our Butterfly programmer.  Our schools across India stands as living testimony of our firm belief.

As a child, everyone dreams for toys. Toys & books open the world of imagination, usher in the joys of holding something you love in your heart   Not many parents can fuel the dream of owning a toy of their child. In our country, this still falls into the realm of one whom we consider privileged where in the children who are not so fortunate due to circumstances beyond their control are left yearning. This promoted our founder to think of a unique and simple solution to ‘How do we break the privilege barrier ? ‘ . The concept of Toy Library took its birth to help every child live the essence of childhood encouraging to share, nurture and grow spending moments beyond the harsh realities of everyday life. The toys and education books donated by people find the way to the lives of these wonderful kids.From Ranchi to Theni, we are fortunate to witness smiles on4995 faces daily owning to this gesture.

As we try to move forward to bring education to every child, we realized the important hurdle lay in convincing the parents for the need of the same. A mother would always want the best for her child and by strengthening her voice in the family we could increase the chances of us positively touching the future of a child. Our woman and child development and women empowerment programme ‘Rooh’ teaches women different marketable skills, introduce to the need of health and hygiene, and assist them protect their interests and rights. We live in hope of being able to do justice to our wish in living the essence of ‘Awakening Womens’ Soul’ in our daily efforts

We have been lucky to be witness to positive changes in 18,000 lives spread across 11 states this year. This impact of reach helps keeps our faith and encourages us to do more very day at Lakshyam.

We share our founder’s dream to fight for a world where every being is equipped with the right weapon to tackle their problems. Every day for the team  is a step forward in the journey towards this dream.

Lakshyam, our forever goal ,  stands as an eternal  symbol of  our strive for  a better world.

Juvenile Delinquents: Victims Or Perpetrators?

WHAT IS JUVENILE DELINQUENCY? 

A juvenile delinquent refers to a person who has not yet attained the statutory age of majority participating in crimes and those who are at conflicts with the law. There are specific provisions in the legal system for dealing with such offenders, such as juvenile courts and juvenile detention centers. In certain cases, where the nature of the crime is severe, they may also be charged as adults. In recent years there has been an astonishing increase in juvenile crimes posing a great threat to their individual development as well as the development of the society. 

REALITY VS FANTASY 

Teenagers and young adults are at an impressionable age, mature enough to want to make their own choices but not mature enough to grasp the consequences of their actions. The attributes of the modern western society are deftly sinking its paws into the young and unprotected minds of our teens and adolescents. In this fast paced virtual world, the effects of technology and social media and its impact can no longer be ignored. In our close knit Indian society, freedom to make our own decisions and choosing how to live our lives has always been a privilege only to be awarded when you are old enough and independent enough. That is not the case anymore. Kids these days want everything now, from expensive mobile phones, bikes, clothes, etc. and sometimes they are ready to go to any lengths to get what they want. The peer pressure to look cool and hip also drives them into doing immoral deeds. They now want everything handed out to them instead of wanting to work for it, and when they are unable to procure it that way, they resort to criminal activities. 

FAMILY AND FRIENDS 

The environment in which a person lives consists of the family, neighbors, friends, the socio economic condition of the community. Family is the first interaction any child has on his birth. Family has a huge influence on the development of a child. A warm and loving family will create a positive atmosphere for the nourishment of a child but when the family is cold, neglectful, harsh, and rejecting, the child will develop hatred, hostility, and distrust towards people. Broken and poor homes often lead to runaways. This often leads them straight into a life of crime. Children who escape their abusive homes are often starving for love, comfort and left to their own devices often resort to theft to survive. 

DRUG ABUSE 

The incidence of drug abuse is higher in children and adolescents than that of the general population. The usage of drugs being illegal in India is like a forbidden fruit for them. The enigma surrounding drugs and their utter lack of control often makes them vulnerable to it. The addiction to drugs has a palpable and devastating effect on their growing mind and body. It weakens their ability to think clearly and pushes them into a mental state where they constantly think of ways to get the next fix. This often leads them into the shackles of drug trafficking and prostitution. CURBING THE 

EFFECTS OF THIS PANDEMIC 

The future of this country depends upon the young generation. A generation of people with well-formed minds and conscientious behavior is the path to progress as opposed to drug addled teens with violent and destructive tendencies. As a society, it is our duty to ensure that children are provided with a loving and tender environment to grow with equal opportunities for everyone. 

There are several NGO’s in India working to reform juvenile delinquents and to educate the children so they don’t resort to criminal activities. Lakshyam is fulfilling its duty towards street children who come from poor homes by providing them free primary education as well as teaching them moral values and enrolling them into schools. Lakshyam also runs a volunteer program where people can come and teach the children and be a part of a better tomorrow.