Karnataka - Hubli-Dharwad   

Rescued child doing well

Dharwad: When 10-year-old Papul renders Kannada songs and converses fluent Kannada, it is heartening to see the progress the child from West Bengal has made in life since the time he was rescued by a non-governmental organisation from Hubli Railway Station where he was found begging.

Volunteers of Sathi, an NGO rescued him four years ago and he was rehabilitated in Dharwad at a children's centre run by Karnataka Integrated Development Services (KIDS). Besides enjoying his childhood, he is pursuing his studies at Gubachchi Special Children's Bridge School in Tekur near here. His teachers say that besides being good in studies, he is also interested in learning music.

Papul does not remember the names of his parents. He does not know from where he has come. Now, when asked where he is from, he promptly says Tekur village.

KIDS Dharwad secretary Ahsok Yaragatti said they guessed that he was from West Bengal as he was speaking Bengali when he was brought to the centre.

All efforts to trace his origin failed as does not know anything about his past or rather does not remember anything. We have also contacted the Campaign against Child Labour (CACL) Kolkata branch, but to no avail, he said.

Mr. Yaragatti says Papul must have had a difficult time during his infancy because of which he does not remember anything. “Initially he used to say something about his drunken father beating him. We have not got any other information from him,” he added.

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