Abdul Wahab Khan | NT
PANAJI
The newly upgraded and renovated state-of-the-art Apna Ghar building is safe and secure and there are foolproof arrangements to prevent escape of inmates.
Located on two hectare area in Merces, the single-storey building housing the state-run child care home also now has separate wings for male and female inmates. It provides not only child-friendly accommodation, maintenance and facilities for education, and rehabilitation of children but also ensures development to the fullest of the inhabitants’ abilities.
The girls’ wing was inaugurated in February last year and is presently occupied by 12 inmates. Workers are giving final touches to the boys’ wing which will be inaugurated soon. The total cost incurred by the state government on renovation is Rs 4.87 crore.
There is separate toddler section where there are two dormitories to accommodate altogether sixteen toddlers upto age of six years. There are about six dormitories with about 60 beds and attached toilets and bathroom and isolated room for boys. There is a separate room for counselor. For girls, there are two 17-bedded dormitories with separate activity room.
Both the wings have separate outdoor playgrounds but lack adequate number of swings, slides, seesaws, and other range of outdoor play structures.
The entrance to the children’s home as well as the inner wall is designed with cartoon murals giving a perfect setting where imaginative power of inhabitants will grow.
The ground floors of both the wings have child-friendly indoor playrooms, and areas are designed to allow caretaker to clearly see kids while they are playing. There will be a football ground for which ground leveling work is underway. The kitchen is also under renovation with proper ventilation and washroom facilities.
The building has tall compound walls with security guard posted at the gate. In addition, 30 CCTV cameras have been fitted along the corridors which are closely monitored by staff inside.
The windows and doors are of fiberglass which has been done to ensure that there is no risk of damage to property. The roof is coated with energy-efficient reflective metal that reflects back sunlight keeping the home cooler.
Apna Ghar is the observation-cum-children’s home established by the state government under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. It is basically an orphanage with most of its inhabitants being abandoned and orphaned children. Juveniles in conflict with law are also housed in the Apna Ghar.
Speaking to this daily, an Apna Ghar official said that in the past, children have attacked staff and escaped from the main gate mainly during evenings while all had assembled to watch a film, but now with such safety features and segregated rooms for children under conflict with law as well separate activity room such incidents will not occur.
“Our trained staff will strive to pamper abused, neglected and abandoned kids with love. Our goal is to be a supportive bridge between where the children came from and where their next best placement will be,” the official added.
