Monday, December 21, 2009

The Wooden Bowl

The Wooden Bowl


By Ramona Moreno Winner, BrainStorm3000






A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about Grandfather," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor". So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed their dinners together.

Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when you get old." The four year old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.


Omashram Trust, 850, 5th Cross, 11th Main, Vijaya Bank Colony, Bilekahalli, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore 560 076, INDIA. Phone: 080-26581682 Mobile:9845567663
Website: http://www.omashram.org/
Omashram blogs
http://oldagecare-paimohan.blogspot.com/
http://omashram.wordpress.com/
http://omashram.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm









Monday, December 14, 2009

4th Unit of Omashram Old Age Homes inaugurated

Shri Cousalya Raman, the oldest male resident of Omashram
inaugurates the 4th Unit.


Mohan Pai, Founder Chairman of Omashram Trust helps Shri Cousalya Raman light the lamp. Geeta Shankar, Managing Trustee on the right.



Sathyanarayana Puja in progress


The 4th Unit of Omashram Old Age Homes at Devarchikkanhalli was inaugurated on Sunday, December 13, 2009.The new prmises with a large garden space will accommodate 25 additional abandoned elderly taking the total number of Omashram community to 60 old residents.


Satyanarayana Puja was performed on the occasion followed by lunch for the elderly residents, visitors & staff.

Mrs. Uma Pai(Inner Wheel, Koramangala) brought a group of blid singers from Samarthanam and their recital enlivened the occasion.



Uma Pai & Blind singers from Samarthana













Residents of Omashram








                                                                                                 Aarti








Lunch Time
                                                                                                                                              Chandraprabha & Megha


Dedicated staff of Omashram









                                                                                                               Lata & Geeta, dancing away.


Contact us:

Omashram Trust, 850, 5th Cross, 11th Main, Vijaya Bank Colony, Bilekahalli, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore 560 076, INDIA. Phone: 080-26581682 Mobile:9845567663 email: info@omashram.org
Website: http://www.omashram.org/
Omashram blogs
http://oldagecare-paimohan.blogspot.com/
http://omashram.wordpress.com/
http://omashram.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
http://mohanpai.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
http://geetaoldagecare.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Self-Portrait Group, Bangalore



From Self-Portrait Group, Bangalore with Love

A five-member team of Help-Portrait group of Bangalore descended at Omashram on the morning of December 12, 2009. Their mission: Shoot portrait pictures of all the old folks at Omashram and give it absolutely free to each resident of Omashram. This is indeed a novel and unique idea to help and create awareness for social causes.


The team members were 1. Indu Antony 2. Aditya Mukherji 2. Rahul Menon 4. Anwar Donald 5. Kshitiz Anand - all of them enthusiastic and avid photographers. The team spent the whole day at Omashram chatting with the the old folks of Omashram and shooting their portraits.

ABOUT SELF-PORTRAIT GROUP

The brainchild of celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart, Help-Portrait is a movement of photographers, coming together in every major city, to use their photography skills to give back to the community. On December 12th, photographers around the world will be grabbing their cameras, finding people in need, and taking their picture.

When the prints are ready, the photographs get delivered. Yep. It really is that easy. And by the way, we don't want to see your photos. This is about GIVING the pictures, not taking them. These portraits are not for your portfolio, website, or for sale. Money isn't involved here.

Thank you Self-Portrait Group for the initiative and your concern for the OLD at OMASHRAM.

Mohan Pai,
Founder & Chairman,
Omashram Trust.
December 13, 2009

Friday, December 4, 2009

Invitation - Inauguration of Unit 4 of Omashram Old Age Homes

An invitation to all our donors, friends & well-wishers.





Omashram Trust, Bangalore

cordially invite you to the inauguration of
the 4th unit of Omashram Old Age Homes
at Devarchikkanhalli, Bannerghatta Road,
Bangalore 560 076
on December 13, 2009 at 10.30 a.m.
and for Satyanarayan Puja
being performed at the venue.
 
Omashram Trust is happy to announce the launch of its fourth unit located in the same compound as Unit no. 2 in peaceful and serene surroundings with a large garden space. The new unit will accommodate 20-25 additional old & abandoned elderly residents with full board taking the total community of the old folks to 55-60 elderly.


Mohan Pai,
Founder & Chairman
Geeta Shankar,
Managing Trustee,
Prarthana Unkalkar,
Trustee.

December 3, 2009
R.S.V.P. Geeta Shankar: 9845567663