The Mysuru Division of the South Western Railway inaugurated on Tuesday the ‘Udan Antyodaya Wellness Centre’ to impart basic education, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities to underprivileged children in and around Mysuru.
Underprivileged children, including orphans and those from the economically weaker sections of society, in the age group of 5 to 12 years, will be given food, clothing, notebooks, pencils, pens, drawing material, school bags, play material, etc.
In all, 40 children have been identified for special focus, and they will also be imparted lessons on cleanliness and environment, moral values, etc.
The facility will function from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Railways will have a vehicle to ferry them to school from their respective homes and also drop them back.
On the inaugural day, 17 children – 9 girls and 8 boys – mostly orphans from Bamboo Bazaar and Manjunathapura, were enrolled. They will get free education and nutritious food. If required, basic medical facilities will be extended to the children, and the authorities said the centre will run purely on voluntary donations from officers, staff and the South Western Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation.
The authorities have deployed four volunteers to identify children across the city.