The following is a report filed by Air Commodore K V Rao, it provides an excellent insight on the functioning of the orphanage.

Dr. Amit Kumar Bannerji is the Director of SAMPARC. The orphanage is located at Bhaje, near Malavli. The Balgram is organized as a number of Houses, each house looked after by a Mother who lives all the time in the house. A house has 10 children, of all ages. There are 10 houses. The house is like a normal home with a kitchen, bedroom, store room, living room and a bath room. Each house cooks its own food. The house has its own pets, a cat and a dog.

I met the children who are in the kindergarten. The elder children go to local schools like any other child in the village. Those who complete school join college. I met two who were waiting to join an agriculture polytechnic.

The children come to the Ashram through the government. They are abandoned children rescued by the police. I met all the 10 children sponsored by HELP. they are all under 5 or 6 years of age.

The Ashram provides a free environment like a normal home, the Mother of each House, looking after all aspects of that house. There are play grounds community halls, hobby centers and a Vocational Training Center for training in basic trades. Each house is well equipped with all gadgets, even their own sewing machine. Each house has a guest room for the guests to stay when they come there to visit. Often there are students visiting them from Universities.

I found the children active and cheerful. The elder children have been doing well in school some have scored above 80% marks in the HSC Board exams and secured admissions to Professional Colleges. One child even got a scholarship to study French in France. The Ashram has a computer center with 10 computers and Multimedia. Apart from the Mothers there are KG teachers, Vocational teachers and Supervisors but all doubling up and doing all chores. The Ashram has an orchard for cultivation and growing fruit and vegetables. On the whole it appeared to be running well and administered with a human touch.

Dr. Bannerji is experienced in this kind of social work having worked with various organizations before starting of on his own at this village. He has another project to run a school for the tribal children in the Mulsi Taluk, sponsored by the Mahindras. He appeared to be an active and energetic person. He is well acquainted with the government regulations and seems to know people around well. There is no regimentation but it is well controlled. The Houses prepared food for my lunch. It was tasty and is home food. I spent some time with the children who were very keen to talk to me but Marathi is still my weak point. It was a touching experience.