‘‘Palakneeti Pariwar’ was formally registered as an organization in 1996 by Sanjeevani Kulkarni with other six likeminded friends. Shubhada Joshi, an architect by profession, is one of the trustees of the organization. She got involved in Palakneeti work in 1994 and thereafter decided to devote fully to it, giving her professional career a back seat. The observing the work helped her in many ways, more importantly made her sensitive to the realities of poor people around. The exposure to children’s harsh realities proved a starting point and Khelghar’s activities started in Laxminagar slum, albeit on a small scale to begin with.

The slum comprising colony of construction workers is located near Shubhada’s house. As it is situated on hill slope, it is not likely to get government recognition and consequently the basic amenities like electricity and water. In most of the houses both parents have to work leaving children to take care of themselves. Older children take responsibility of younger ones in the absence of their parents and therefore miss out on schooling. In their struggle for survival, parents hardly find any time to take their children to school or to provide basic essentials, even if they attend schools. Invariably schools lack childfriendly environment and fail to maintain children’s interest in education. All this combined leads to deprivation of education for these children. Their surrounding locality has innumerable social problems like alcoholism, drug addiction, disputes & fights on a regular basis. Exposure to and growing up in such dispiriting environment is certainly unhealthy for children. It is not correct to blame the destiny and sit tight or lack of efforts by the major reason is today’s corrupt system where money attracts more money. We have not made this system but it’s contradictions & disparities make us restless.

We are from privileged sections and enjoy all benefits integral to it. Palakneeti was a good forum in providing thought clarity research avenues and discussions around the subject. We felt a need to reach out to underprivileged sections, as a gesture of our concern for them.

Instead of thinking on case to case basis Shubhada started Khelghar for children in Laxminagar in her own house in 1996. Interacting and playing with children helped her to understand their realities and problems. What should be done and what should not be done to help in these situations was learnt slowly. Then it was possible to engage children in meaningful education and learning.