CONVERSATIONSWITH SHYAM BABU

Shyam Babu (our Chief Reporter)suffers from cerebral palsy, poorbalance and coordination and weakness in his lower limbs. He isalmost twelve years old with athin physique and a face fromwhich shine two mischievouseyes.

Shyam has a great deal to sayfor himself - with speech diffi-culties it is often a big effort forhim to shape words, but talkingto him is always enlightening.

I was sitting in my room whenShyam Babu with his shaky handsopened the door and came in.We had a conversation as follows:

SHYAM BABU: Tabish Sir! You havepromised to teach me to rideyour motorbike. Please also teachme how to drive your laptop.ME: When you’re a little olderI’ll teach you how to drive both.SHYAM BABU: Sir, Aslam the news-paper-wallah has already taughtme how to ride a bike. The thingis Sir, that you drive quite slowly.

I prefer to drive in a hup-hup-grr-farraté-phat-a-phat sort ofstyle. (meaning fast.)ME: What you would like to bewhen you grow up?SHYAM BABU: Police sir. ME: Why police?SHYAM BABU: Sir, I would arrestall the moonshine drinkers.ME: Why?SHYAM BABU: Sir, they create a lotof chilla chot (hullabaloo).ME: Does your papa drink?SHYAM BABU: Sometimes.ME: And you don’t like it.SHYAM BABU: No, I don’t becausehe uses gali galoch (bad lan-guage) with my mother.ME: How many members are therein your family?SHYAM BABU: Loads. And in yours,sir?ME: Fourteen or fifteen.SHYAM BABU: Sir, I will come toyour house.ME: Sure. You are welcome.At this point the caretaker, RaniDidi, came to find Shyam Babu to

tell him that he needed to gofor his therapy. He went off, leaving me withmany questions unanswered inmy heart. How difficult life is forthat poor kid, who is physicallydisabled, lives in acute poverty(in a crude shack with no properflooring and roofing and notoilets or bathroom). Yet there’s always a mischievoussmile on his face as if, his eyesare saying to me ‘Jeena isi KaNaam Hai’ (Oh yes, this is how tolive life). INTERVIEWED BY TABISH

BY THE CHILDREN OF CHINGARI. No. II MAY-JUNE 2013

SHIFON RUES LACK OFNON-VEg TREATS

Today I am going to a marriagein my neighbourhood. However, Iam not going to eat anythingthere because there is going to bea vegetarian buffet with thingslike roast peas which I don’t like.

I wish they’d serve kebabs orchicken biryani instead.

But never mind, I will have thechance to wear some nice clothesand enjoy being with my friends.

-SHIFON

MAY 22, 2013

MINAKSHI VISITS BANKWITH HER MUM

Today Minakshi did not come toChingari, as she had gone totake money from the bank.

Yesterday, I went with mymum to withdraw Rs. 2,000 frommy account from a bank atKarondh. We plan to use themoney to buy things for my sister's wedding. -C.R.SHYAM BABU

CALL FOR BAZOOKAHINDI EDITION

I asked Tabish Sir, ‘Sir, where willwe be selling our newspaper?

He replied ‘In England’. So I asked ‘Sir, why can’t we

sell it here?’ So he explained thatthe paper is in English.

‘Sir, why can’t we make it inHindi and sell it here?’ Tabish Sirsaid that he’d think about it.

-CHIEF REPORTER SHYAM BABU

KASHEESH SWEEPS HOUSE.MOTHER AMAZED

Yesterday while my mother waswashing the pots and pans outsideour house I took a broom andcleaned the whole place. KalpanaMadam (the physiotherapist) saidit was a very great achievementconsidering my disability.

-KASHEESH

MAY 20, 2013SHYAM BABU VANISHES,

BELIEVED gONE TOBANK

Today’s fresh news is that ChiefReporter Shyam Babu did notcome to Chingari. When I askedhim this morning, why is he notcoming to Chingari he told methat he is going to collectmoney. I think he has gone tothe bank with his mum.

-MINAKSHI

MY FIRST SOLO BATHYesterday I was playing with mycousin and he pushed me. I felldown and scraped my knee.

Today I saw pictures of Al-isha’s family. Her mum showed methe photos on her mobile.

My mother is very pleased withme because today I managed tohave a bath all by myself for thefirst time. -KASHEESH

YET ANOTHER AUTORICKHAW CRASH

Yesterday I was busy selling cucumbers by the roadside nearwhere I live, when I saw an autorickshaw hit my friend and hismother.

My friend’s leg was badly hurt,it was cut so deep that youcould see the bone.

People caught hold of the autodriver but they didn’t beat him.Instead, they made him paymoney for my friend’s medicaltreatment. -SACHIN

ALISHA CAUgHT INHOMEWORK SCANDAL

I used to get my younger sisterto do my homework, but mymum found out and told IrfanSir (the Special Educator at Chingari). -ALISHA

BY THE CHILDREN OF CHINgARI

gUDDI WEDS gUDDAYesterday we celebrated thehappy wedding of my girl dollguddi to boy doll gudda.

gudda was wearing sherwanilooking very smart and guddiwore a frock with a lovely neck-lace, earrings and a teeka.

We had a big party in and atesome chips, Dumdum pastries andsamosas. -ALISHA

SAD DEATH OF A gOATAT ORIYA BASTI

Yesterday in Oriya Basti peoplewere feeding a black goat froma basket full of chapattis. Lateron the goat was killed for a bigfeast. I will make a picture toshow you. -SACHIN

CHIEF REPORTERWITNESSES KNIFE

FIgHT While telling my reporting toTabish Sir, who writes it all down,I told him that a few days ago,there was a fight at a weddingceremony.

Some stranger from outsidemisbehaved and there was afight. A boy was attacked by aknife and the ambulance cameto take him to hospital.

‘Did this happen at your sister’smarriage,’ asked Tabish Sir.

‘No Sir,’ I said, ‘I was in theDJgs vehicle.’

‘What were you doing there?’‘Sir, I was with my brother, he

does that work and this is hiscard.’

So I will give him the yellowcolour card of my brother so itcan be shown in the BaJooka.

-CHIEF REPORTER SHYAM BABU

WE PLAY CHILAK CHAION THE ROOF

I played Chilak Chai on my roofwith my friends. (A game like tag,see right.) -KAUSAR

MAY 27, 2013MINAKSHI MISSES

OUT ON JEWELLERY

Shyam Babu has goneaway to his Jijaji’s sister’swedding and so he willnot be coming to Chingarifor a few days.

I went with my mumand we took Rs. 2,000(£22) from my bank account and I wanted tobuy a lovely necklace,earrings and a nose pinbut my mum would notlet me. She said weneeded the money forimportant things. I havemade a picture of thethings I liked -------->

-MINAKSHI

OUR HOUSES gETWATER PIPES AT LAST

New water connections weremade in the houses of OriyaBasti. Many marriages werecelebrated at Dusshera Maidanand Shivraj Singh Chauhan (theChief Minister of MadhyaPradesh) gave the couples sofa-sets, beds, bedding, chairs etc.

-CHIEF REPORTER SHYAM BABU

ZAID’S CRICKET PITCHI was really disappointed when

Royal Challengers Bangalore didnot qualify for the PremierLeague playoffs. (Don’t listen tomy mother when she says Icried – she makes up stuff.)

I did get cross when Tabish Sir said that A. B. Devilliers is thebest batsman in the RCB team. SoI replied that he does get goodruns in the last overs and playsoutrageous strokes but I prefergayle because he hits big sixes.

Huma Madam was listening tomy discussion with Tabish Sir,and she said to me ‘When youare grown up your girlfriendwill be really bored if you areinterested only in cricket.’

I replied that when I grow upI won’t have time for a girl-friend because I will be busyplaying in big matches for RoyalChallengers Bangalore. -ZAID

TABISH SIR’S ROUND UPBecause of the hot weather, manychildren are at home. Our chiefreporter Shyam Babu is away asreported by Minakshi.

JUNE 6, 2013EARLY RAIN HITS

BHOPAL, LEAKS THROUgHMINAKSHI’S ROOF

Yesterday, it rained in Bhopal,and because of that water filledup in front of my house.

With the help of a drinkingwater glass, I cleared the waterfrom the front of my house andpoured it into the nearby drain.

Then drops of water startedpouring in through the roof. Weplaced buckets and other utensilsto collect the water and then wethrew it out.

While I was clearing the waterfrom front of my house, my sister was cooking food, and mymother was at the shop. My fatheris away for a few days on a visitto his native village. -MINAKSHI

BY THE CHILDREN OF CHINgARI

JUNE 10, 2013

WATER ANKLE-DEEPIN ORIYA BASTI

Because of rain, water has filledboth inside and outside (she callit aagan) our house. Inside our

house water has filled till theankle of the legs. Yesterday wehad got a new water connectionand today they are going to puta tap over it. Water was alsodeep outside Shyam Babu's house.-MINAKSHI

BOY BORN WITHABNORMAL HEAD

Yesterday I saw on the news thata boy with an abnormal shapedhead has been born in Delhi.

-SACHIN

ALISHA’S AUNT gETSMARRIEDLast week was my aunty's (mum'syounger sister) marriage at Bag FarhatAfza. My Uncle is from Abbas Nagar,which is far away. Baraat (arrival of thegroom’s procession) was on Thursdayand Walima on Friday. I wore my best shalwaar kurtaa andalso put turmeric on my Aunty.

-ALISHA

JUNE 11, 2013SHYAM BABU ATTENDS

A WEDDINg SOMEWHERE IN THEJUNgLE

My hair is coloured because I have just attended a wedding. It was my Jijaji’s sister’smarriage at Alvasa, somewhere in the junglewith big-big hills.

My legs were hurting because of walking somuch. It is about 2km away from here. Idanced at the marriage. And when Baraat arrived, I served water, snacks and mangojuice along with the other boys.

I was crying at the time of Vidaai (ceremonyin which Bride leaves her father’s home), as Iwas not feeling well. -SHYAM BABU

BUS RUNS OVER CYCLIST

It’s all muddy in Oriya Basti atpresent because of the rain. There’san accident near the bridge betweena cycle and a bus. The bus driverhad given the horn, but the cyclistdid not listen to him and the busran over him. Also two boys onbikes collided at 80 feet road.

-CHIEF REPORTER SHYAM BABU

CONVERSATION WITHWITH ALISHA

ALISHA: Sir, yesterday we cookedfood using toys.TABISH SIR: What did you cook?ALISHA: Nothing. I have your phonenumber and called you yesterday,but you did not come.TABISH SIR: I am afraid your calldidn’t reach me. ALISHA: Can I tell you a story?TABISH SIR: Yes.ALISHA: While drinking tea a haircame into my mouth. I looked behind and a new year had come.TABISH SIR: Who taught you this?ALISHA: Sanya Phuppi. (Her aunt)Me: How many aunts have you?ALISHA: Six.TABISH SIR: So many. And thus youtrouble your aunts?ALISHA: No, but Salman one of mycousins, he is small and troubles usa lot, his mind is slightly different,and he beats and pinches others.TABISH SIR: So he troubles you too.ALISHA: Yes.

JUNE 11, 2013

KASHEESH MAKES HERMOTHER CROSS

Yesterday I got dressed, ate mybreakfast and went back to sleep.

My mother told me to get upand go to Jehangirabad with herto attend my uncle’s marriage.

I said no because I don’t likeattending weddings. -KASHEESH

NEIgHBOURS FIgHTOVER WATER

Yesterday two people fought each

other over filling their pots withwater. We have got the new waterpipes now (see May 27) but theyhave not put taps on them.

It was raining heavily andwater filled up both inside andoutside my house. I swept thewater out my house with abroom. We can’t sleep on thefloor when its all watery, so wesleep on two beds off theground – my father,  mother, me,my sister, younger brother andelder brother Arjun - all sleepon two beds.

My father isn’t here right now- he has gone to his village.

I like eating toffees and redtoffee is my favourite.

-MINAKSHI

DEATH OF A COWI live at Tille.

Yesterday while returning fromIndranagar, I saw a dead cow bythe side of the road.

She died because an electricwire had fallen onto her andeverything was wet so she diedfrom the electric current.

Her whole body was blown uplike a balloon.

-SHIRAZ

JUNE 12, 2013ALISHA’S AUNT gOESHOME, EVERYONE SAD

Yesterday, I was sad as my Auntyhas gone back to Shobhapur. Ihave tried to stop them, but Naazappi i.e. my Aunt’s daughter toldme that her School would be getting started. So, she needs togo. Naaz appi told me that shewould be coming back next year.My Aunt gave me Rs.50 when sheleft. When I go to market to buyclothes for eid, I’ll use her giftto buy them. Sir, the plastering ofmy house has started. My fatherhas getting the house made atBagh Farhat Afza.

-ALISHA

ZAID COMMENTARY ONTHE INDIA-SRI LANKA

TEST MATCHYesterday, I saw the test matchand played snake and ladderswith my Papa and I won. I knowthat West Indies have lost thematch, but feel that they wouldbe able to reach the semi final, ifthey win one more match. I support West Indies because ofgayle. Yesterday gayle scored21 run and he was caught out.

West Indies scored 233 runs andIndia scored 236 runs in 39.1overs. Shikhar Dhawan performedbest. He scored 102 runs and Ifeel that his performance wasbetter than Ravindra Jadeja whotook five wickets, because he hadhit two back to back centuries.From west Indies Dwyane Bravo’sbrother Darren Bravo’ performedbest. Tabish Sir asked me whetherI had seen Lara playing. I saidno. He told me that Darren Bravolooks very similar to legendarybatsman Brian Lara and he toldme about Lara’s record of hitting400 runs in one inning.

-ZAID

MORE RAIN, SHYAMgETS A NEW CAP, MINAKSHI UNWELLSir, its all muddy in Oriya Bastibecause of rain. As roads havebeen made in my area, Chingari'sVan is able to come. During rainwater droplets also fall insidemy house and we use utensils tocollect them (So, that they do notmake the floor wet). Water leaksfrom the roof from around tenplaces. In the night we sleep by

putting a plastic cover over thebed. At 10 am when the bus cameto my house, I sat in it andcame to Chingari. First I went tospeech, then therapy and afterthat class. After that I playedCricket. My mother bought thiscap for me for Rs. 50, which I

am wearing. Today, Minakshi hasnot come to chingari because offever.Today she would be takento doctor.-CHIEF REPORTER SHYAM BABU

SNAKE LOITERINgNEAR ASHOK’S HOUSE

Yesterday a snake appeared nearmy house. It sat for a while andthen moved away.

-ASHOK

ROOFS BLOW OFFHOUSES IN ORIYA BASTIToday after taking a bath andcompleting my puja (prayer),when I came out of my house, Isaw two brothers fighting witheach other and one of them havegone to police station. I don'tknow the reason why they werefighting with each other. Sir, atOriya Basti because of wind, ironsheets, which forms the roofs ofthe houses has blown up off themand a few of them have fallenon my house. Water also leaksfrom a few places at my houseduring rain, but it does notcause much trouble.

-SACHIN

JUNE 13, 2013FAMILY SHELTER UNDERBED TO ESCAPE RAIN

Last night the wind was blowinghard and iron sheets off otherpeople houses blew away and thepolythene sheet on our roof alsoflew off. It had rained heavilybecause of which ditches were

BY THE CHILDREN OF CHINgARI

filled with water. It has becomemuddy everywhere. Me, mummy,papa and bhaiya (brother) sleptunder the bed because of rain.We covered the bed with a poly-thene sheet to avoid water andslept under it. Other people havepukka houses (of brick) but mineis kachcha (mud). Minakshi alsolives in a kuchcha house, whichis better than mine. Yesterday, Iplayed cricket at Chingari anddid batting. I like batting incricket and don’t know how todo bowling. Tabish Sir asked whyI don’t learn bowling fromNarendra Sir, Sports Coach atChingari so I told him that Iplayed Bocce.

-SHYAM BABU

ZAID’S BIRTHDAY PLANSAND MORE CRICKET

Yesterday my younger brotherHamza had gone to Yard Club (atourist spot) and I will go thereon my birthday to have a goodtime. My birthday is on 26thJune. I would ask everyone onmy birthday. Yesterday the testcricket was abandoned becauseof rain. Before rain Australiahad scored 243 runs, Voguesmade maximum 71 runs fromAustralia in 50 balls, NewZealand has scored 51 runs forthe fall of wickets, after whichthe rain came. I was supportingNew Zealand because Warner wasnot playing for Australia, ifWarner had been playing forAustralia then I’d have supported

Australia. David Warner won’tplay any more matches in the series because he had beatenRoot (an English cricketer).These days Hafiz Sahab does notcome as he is studying doctor'sstudies. He will start comingafter he is free. These days Iwatch match, have my supper andthen sleep. -ZAID

ALISHA PROMISESTO DO HER HOMEWORK

I helped my father to clean thegarlic. He sells onion and garlic. Yesterday, a vehicle ran over theleg of a caretaker in a nearbybuilding. She received injuries toher knee and leg. The doctor hassaid that she would be alright in2-4 days. I dont know her name.Today, I forgot to do my home-work, but will do it regularly

from tomorrow onwards. I wasasked to write four in my home-work. -ALISHA

JUNE 14, 2013MINAKSHI STILL

UNWELL. MORE ROADACCIDENTS

Sir it rained heavily last night.Minakshi's mother made herdrink the medicine (Maybe asyrup), but did not make hertake the tablets. Today, one boyhad met with an accident atOriya Basti, in front of a shop. Abike rider hit the boy in front ofthe shop and did not stop. Theboy’s hands were scratched. Afterwards, when I was comingto Chingari, I saw a boy and girlon a bike fall down. The boy hadsuddenly applied his brakes. Suraj Bhaiya (the DJ) has gone toUjjain to provide DJ in a baraat.Suraj Bhaiya is not my realbrother, he is a friend of myelder brother and I also call himBhaiya. Yesterday, I played tabletennis with Ajay Sir at Chingari.Someone asked if his hand canreach the table, because I amshort, but it can, of course, yes.

-SHYAM BABU

INJECTIONS ANDA TEDDY BEAR

Yesterday, doctor gave me aninjection and some medicine. In

the night I ate a chapati withmilk then took my medicine.Yesterday Shankar Sir, Vidya Didiand Waseem Sir (Communityhealth workers of Chingari) tookme to Chingari, as I was notwell because of fever and boils.Now I am alright. Waseem Sir hasbought a soap for me and then Itook a bath and went to see thedoctor. I saw the doctor todayagain. I cried when I had theinjection. At Chingari I colouredin the drawing of a teddy bear.It is called gudda.

-MINAKSHI

FIgHTINg FOR DON’TKNOW WHAT REASON

Yesterday there was a fight nearmy Bade Papa's (Father's elderbrother) shop. Today, I colouredat Chingari. I have coloured anelephant white a purse a sort ofred colour. -NIKHIL

ALISHA DOES HERHOMEWORK!!!

Yesterday, I and my younger sister Alina played with toysalong with my younger sisterAlina. Yesterday I had watched aBaraat procession (part of amarriage), it was good. Today, Ihave done my home work on myown. I was asked to write P O Q.and I did it. Today, I did lotsof colouring at Chingari. I madea brown clay water pot and ablack fish of paper to keep in it.

-ALISHA

ALISHA’S ROOMIS PAINTED PINK

Today the plaster of the smallroom in my house is completed.Now the plaster of the biggerroom will be done and then thewhole house will be paintedpink. I chose the colours pinkand purple.

-ALISHA

ZAID ON ENgLAND-SRI LANKA MATCH

Yesterday, a student studying inmy father's college came to meetus. She is from Nagda and hadcome to Bhopal to collect her

examination result. Yesterday atlast the drainage lines werecleaned up in my area. Anyway, the important thing wasthat Lanka won the match. I didn’t watch the whole thing asit went on till 1:30 in the nightand I have to go to sleep atmidnight at the latest. I heardabout the result of the matchfrom my grandfather next day.

Sangakkara played well, he made134 runs, Kulasekara had alsoplayed well and scored 58 runs.They beat England by sevenwickets. England’s captain i.e.Alastair Cook played well andalso Root. Root scored 69 runsand Cook scored 59 runs. Yesterday, I was supporting SriLanka

-ZAID

BY THE CHILDREN OF CHINgARI

JUNE 17, 2013gAMBLERS AND

BYSTANDERS ARRESTED,FORCED TO PAY BRIBE Sir, yesterday near my Uncle'sshop, few people were caught bypolice.They were gambling atSATTA, hiding behind a bus andplaying. Policeman came andgrabbed their collars and tookthem away. There was one boywho was not playing but standingnear the bus. The police took himalso to the police station and healso unfortunately was forced togive the police money eventhough he was not playing, juststanding there. My uncle's shop isat Basod Mohalla. I asked myuncle what is Satta. He repliedthat it is gambling and that weshould not talk about it, becauseit is not a good thing.-SHIRAZ

QUARREL BREAKS OUTNEAR ALISHA’S HOUSE

I was playing with my toys. Mybadi mummy (wife of father’selder brother) was visiting ourhouse. I have a younger brotherand I was playing with him whena fight started between somepeople living in the area behindmy house. I heard them shoutingat each other. Later I heard the sound ofdrums and other instrumentswhen a procession went past theback of my house on Saturday

and Sunday. There were peoplewith clothes, shoes and flowers.On Friday Ahmed (a special childat Chingari) was jumping about,when Sir has played the samesong. Ahmed is the twin brotherof Aquib.

-ALISHA

FIgHT OVER WATERNEAR MANOHAR DAIRY

Yesterday there was a fight between Keraji Baji and Reeshanover filling water pots. KerajiBaji slapped Reeshan. I live nearManohar Dairy. Later I watchedAnandi’s serial on TV. There too,I saw fighting. Yesterday I wentout to play with my youngerbrother Alfaraz in the rain. I wasscolded by papa for playing inthe rain. There are cracks in theskin on my leg. I am applyingointment. Shadab Sir (Communityhealth worker) took me to thedoctor. -AFREEN

FIgHT OVER CLEANWATER IN ORIYA BASTI Today two women fought witheach other near the water tankin Oriya Basti for water. Theywere pulling each other's hairand slapping. Sir, I like gettingwet in rain and dancing while itrains. I sing the taki taki songand dance during rain. However, my mother does notlike me getting wet in the rainand she tries to stop me.

-SHYAM BABU

NO MORE INJECTIONSFOR MINAKSHI

Today, I was not given any moreinjections by the doctor. But hedid give one yesterday and theday before yesterday. Because ofrain water has filled both insideand outside my house (she calledit angana, meaning compound)and the water comes in everyday.but I wrote ABCD at Chingari andate Kheer (rice pudding).

-MINAKSHI

JUNE 18, 2013SACHIN’S HOPES

FOR HIS VEgETABLEBUSINESS

Sir, yesterday I have gone tobank to collect the pension, Ireceive Rs. 150 per month as apension for my handicap. I hadnot collected it for two months.When I got there, they told methat no one had received anymoney yet and we’d be getting itafter 20th June. From there Iwent to the wholesale vegetablemarket. I thought of buying cornto sell but there wasn’t any. Ididn’t buy cucumber because ofthe rain. I collected cauliflowerleaves for the goat and returnedhome getting wet in the rain. It’sno use trying to sell cucumber inrainy weather because it is acold vegetable and people don’tbuy it much on rainy days. Whatever we can get cheap in themarket we buy for selling. Iwould really like a cycle so thatI can sell corn on my own. Iwant to save money for myyounger sister's marriage, shewill be getting married next year.Her name is Aarti and she is 18.Last Sunday, the boy and hisfamily came to see us to arrangethe marriage. His mother haspassed on so his father came. Helives in Chandbad and does lightfitting work. He earns Rs. 8,000per month and has a wheatishcomplexion. I liked the boy andthey all liked my sister. We havesuggested next year for the marriage. I don’t remember thename of the boy. -SACHIN

WATER UP TO WAISTNEAR LAKHAN’S HOUSE

Outside Lakhan's house (anotherspecial child coming to Chingari,living at Oriya Basti) the waterwas up to his knees and mywaist. His legs were all wet whenhe got to his house. He had tochange his clothes. I took mymedicine today so the boils onmy body will get healed up. Ihad studied at Chingari and alsomade a drawing of a house withwater all round it. There was aanother fight in Oriya Basti overwater. They were shouting andswearing at each other. One ofthem hit the one with a stick onstomach and made blood come.They took him to hospital. Idon’t know the names of thepeople fighting. Tomorrow wewill be provided with a tap (shecalled it totti) for our new waterconnection. -MINAKSHI

ARMAN BRAVES RAINTO HAVE HIS THERAPY

Yesterday, it rained heavily because of which my mother hadnot allowed me to come toChingari. Even today it’s raining,but I thought that I should getthe therapy done. So, I havecome today wearing this raincoatPapa bought for me ages ago.

-ARMAAN PARVEZ

20TH JUNE 2013LEg PROBLEM STOPSSHIFON ATTENDINgFAMILY WEDDINg

Yesterday our neighbours cameback to their house at 3AM afterattending a marriage. When theyopened their door, we all wokeup. They had gone to Mahu (asmall town near Indore) for themarriage. My mother's brothergot married on 8 June and on16th June my mother went to attend his JUMA (Small ceremonywith reception after marriage onFriday). I didn’t go because ofrain, as I have problems walkingwhen it gets muddy. -SHIFON

KASHEESH TO VISIT SAIBABA TEMPLE

This evening I am going to bevisiting a big temple of Sai Babiwith my Papa. We will be goingin a vehicle. I dont know wherethe temple is but we visit it everythursday. My father break the

coconut in the temple and I distribute the Prasaad (somesmall items of food used duringprayers and distributed after it, which are thought of as a holyfood) -KASHEESH

BY THE CHILDREN OF CHINgARI

ALISHA DRAWS BRIDEAND gROOM PICTURE

Yesterday you did not come toChingari. I saw in the news thata flood drowned somewhere, Idont know the name of theplace. Yesterday, we made adrawing of Dulha Dulhan (brideand bride groom) and TariqueSir (special educator at Chingari)says that tomorrow we will befilling in colours.

-ALISHA

MINAKSHI’S ELDERSISTER gETSENgAgED

Sir, Minakshi's elder sister gotengaged and they have killed a cockerel (in preparation for afeast) in the morning.

-SHYAM BABU

MINAKSHI’S DAD CRIESAS HER ELDER SISTER

LEAVES HOMEYesterday, the father in law ofmy sister arrived. And todaywhen he and my sister sat in theautorickshaw and were goingaway, My father was crying. Herengagement will be celebrated inher native village. It’s rainingdaily. I cried, because they havenot taken me.

-MINAKSHI

A CRUEL STORY OFRAPE AND CORRUPTIONMy mum works at a governmenthospital where her job is to makechappatis. There a doctor lootedthe honour of a woman who hadcome for her medicine and aninjection. Later on the policecame with sticks and and beatthe doctor. Somebody took thewoman’s daughter in a van andleft her in the jungle. Later onpolice asked the two of them toget married.

-ISHRAT

JUNE 21, 2013RAIN CAUSES MORE

PROBLEMSIt rained again last night. I sawon a TV that in one villagehouses and bridges were broken.A bus fell into a trench.

-SHYAM BABU

STILL NO TAP FORMINAKSHI’S FAMILY

Water has filled up outside ourhouses and it has also come inside. We sleep on two beds i.e.both of my brothers, mummy,papa and me. I sleep withmummy. As water has not come,there is one neighbour she haswater connection, but she doesnot allow us to fill our pots andspeaks badly. We have the waterpipe but not the tap. We will buya tap of our own and then won’tallow others to fill their potsfrom it. Me and my mother hadgone to the hospital to get aninjection. While coming back webought a banana and a blackschool bag. I ate the banana. Thebag cost Rs. 50. My mother got itfor me as I was crying for itafter my red bag was lost. mysister in law’s son, whose name isSachin had mislaid it somewhere.He is small like me. My motherhas also bought two hair clipsfor me, one of them got broken.

-MINAKSHI

JUNE 26, 2013

CATCHINg UPWITH TABISH SIR

Yesterday a heavy rain fell and infront of my house the water wasup to my waist and it was flowingover the road. Yesterday I saw onthe TV that a truck was submergedin the flood. It was on the news.

BY THE CHILDREN OF CHINgARI. No. III JULY 2013

You (Tabish Sir) didn’t come toChingari for two days so we wereasking Thomas Sir where you were. He said you weren’t well andwould come the next day. I hadthe yellow DJ card for you butnow it is at home. I played foot-ball with Sufiyan, Lakhan andArbaz.Today I came in the bus and said‘good Morning’ to everyone, thenI went to speech therapy andphysiotherapy then I went to class.Yesterday we had daal and rice,it was magic. I like the fuit mealbest of all. Today I wrote my times tables. Icopied them, but one day I willlearn them. -SHYAM BABU

LIgHTNINg DOESN’TFRIgHTEN ME: ALISHA

Last night it rained a lot. Lightning was flashing. I wasn’tafraid of the lightning. I went tomy Nana’s house and played withtoys.

-ALISHA

FAMILY PROBLEMS FORSACHIN AND SIBLINgS

Saturday was a day off, so in themorning I had tea and breakfastand bathed then went to the bankand waited. Filled in a form. They

said 300 rupees had come. (£3.50, being two months worth of his disability pension) So I withdrewit. I went to the vegetable marketand roamed around there a while.On the way home I saw Sathyu andRachna they were with a rallyabout the gas disaster. I watchedthe rally. There were lots of peoplethere. They were saying, “until yougive us proper compensation weare certainly not going to vote foryou.” Lots of people from KainchiChhola were there.

After this I went home and whenmy mum came home in theevening I gave her the money. Andthen, Sir, well you see the thing isthat every morning my fatherquarrels with me - if mum sticksup for me she gets an earful aswell. He says things like you twogo away out of this house. If Iread in front of him and make amistake he starts shouting andhits me. That’s why I don’t read infront of him. You see, my Hindispelling isn’t so good. My littlebrother, if he goes off roamingwith his friends and comes backa little late then he too getsshouted at and my father hits himtoo.

I came here to Chingari yesterday

which was Tuesday. When I wenthome he hadn’t been to work. Hehasn’t gone for eight days. Mumwent, but he didn’t, so she refusesgive him money for moonshine.We have a goat at my home, whichmy mother bought for Rs. 1,200.When we dont give him money todrink alcohol, he starts sellingthe things from our house. He hadrecently mortgaged the patta(deeds of the house) of our housefor Rs. 2,000 (£22), but we did notsay anything. He has done it before and we could only get thepapers back by paying the money.Last time when I have receivedthe cheque from school, I boughtback the vegetable trolley whichhe had sold. When he announcedthat he was going to sell the goatall four of us siblings quarrelledwith him and would not allow himto take the goat. He is always behaving like this.

-SACHIN

JUlY 2, 2013MY VISIT TO PACHORE

BY SHYAM BABUI went to my village, which isPachore, to attend the Mundan(ceremony of getting child's headshaved) of my cousin. There twobrothers Jitendra and Rakesh gotdrunk and fought with eachother. My father is their Jeeja Ji(sister's husband).While returning from Pachore,there was a river on the way, inwhich water was flowing up tomy Knees. My sister's husbandpicked me up and helped me tocross the river. After walking for10 km, at last we reached theroad, where we boarded an autoand everyone got inside. I satwith my Papa on the back seat ofthe auto. In this way we reachedthe bus stand and went on to therailway station. We bought ourrail tickets and boarded thetrain. In the train I ate samosaand bhel. It was delicious. I likegoing on the trains. When we gotto Bhopal station, we hired anauto and went home. Today, ithad rained heavily in Oriya Basti.

-SHYAM BAB

ALISHA’S MUMINJURED BY SOUP

Sir, a few days ago hot soup fellover my mother and burned herhand and leg. I would have toldyou before, Sir, but last week youdid not collect news from meon Thursday and Friday.

The plastering of our house hasbeen finished and we even havea toilet and bathroom. They justneed to put a seat in the toilet. Awhile back my grandfather hadfallen over while he was readingTasbih (his rosary). He was notable to eat or pick up a spoonwith his right hand. We took himto the hospital at Nariyal Kheda,to get him treated by the bestdoctor available there.

-ALISHA

SACHIN STANDS IN FOR SHYAM BABU

Shyam Babu, Rachna and Lakhandid not come to Chingari today.Shyam has gone to his village.Rachna is hurt, and I don’t knowthe reason why Lakhan has notcome. The van went to Lakhan'shouse and they waited for awhile, but he did not come out.

-SACHIN

HOW MANY SIXES MAKE SHIFONTY-SIX?

Usually I am not able to scoreruns but yesterday I hit six sixesin ten balls. No one could believe it and all asked to checkagain, but it was true! I wasplaying in a ground close to the

temple in our neighbourhood.My Aunt’s brother suddenly fell

ill at around 2am last night. -SHIFON

JUlY 3, 2013ALISHA IN THE PINK

ALISHA: My mother bought a newpencil box for me last saturdayME: What is the cost of the box?ALISHA: Sir, everything combinedcost Rs. 95.ME: From where did you buy it?ALISHA: From Jehangirabad.ME: It is pink, do you like thecolour pink.ALISHA: Yes.ME: And what else did you buy?ALISHA: Sir, we bought an orangepencil box, lunch box and waterbottle for my sister. And a lunchbox for me. ME: Pink?ALISHA: Pink.

-ALISHA

SHYAM BABU IS AN EXPERT CAR THIEF

SHYAM BABU: Sir yesterday, Iwent to play at Shivnagar andthere was water everywhere.ME: What did you play?SHYAM BABU: Sir it’s called CarChor (Car thief)ME: How do you play it?SHYAM BABU: Sir, we need to stealthe car and drive it using remotecontrol. Sir, I am an expert atstealing and driving the cars.ME: And what else happened yesterdaySHYAM BABU: Sir, nothing much.

-SHYAM BABU

ALISHA SCOLDED FORNOT DOINg THERAPY

EXERCISESI have been scolded for notdoing my therapy exercises. Ilike doing the exercises, butsome of them are quite painful.

-ALISHA

SARA LEARNS HOW TOMAKE A RAKHI

Today I learned to make rakhisfor the Rakshabandhan festival.Kanchan Madam taught me tohow to do it. -SARA

ZAID MISSES INDIANINNINgS

Sir for the last two days, it hasbeen quite muddy in our area,water is deep everywhere.

Yesterday, I watched the match,Sri Lanka scored 348 runs, but Imissed the Indian innings sinceit started around midnight whichis the time I go to sleep.

-ZAID

SHYAM BABU PLANS TOVISIT THE STARS

AND SEE THE OCEANSHYAM BABU: Sir, Yesterday I sawon TV that it has rained heavilyin Delhi, houses were broken. SirVehicles were drowning in water.TABISH: You saw this on TV?SHYAM BABU: Yes. It had rainedheavily in Bambai (Bombay) also.TABISH: Do you like Bambai?SHYAM BABU: I have not seen it.TABISH: I was born in Bombay.My mother is from Bombay butmy father is from Bhopal. Theone who will be receiving thisnews was also born in Bombay.Would you like to say somethingto him? He will publish it.SHYAM BABU: Sir, ask him to takeme to Bambai.TABISH: What will you do there?SHYAM BABU: Sir, I want to meetShahrukh Khan (a film star.)TABISH: You like Shahrukh? Whichmovie of his have you watched?SHYAM BABU: Chennai Express.TABISH: Chennai Express is notyet released; you might have seenthe trailer. Who else would you

like to meet there.SHYAM BABU: Salman Khan andAmitabh Bachchan (film stars).TABISH: Amitabh is quite oldSHYAM BABU: He might be old, buthe brings out good movies.TABISH: Who else?SHYAM BABU: These three only.TABISH: Where would you like tovisit in Bombay. Do you know theocean is there.SHYAM BABU: Swimming poolstoo.TABISH: There are swimmingpools in Bhopal.SHYAM BABU: I have not seenthem. I would also watch amovie in a big Talkies.TABISH: You have not watched amovie in a talkies at Bhopal?SHYAM BABU: I have. TABISH: Which one?SHYAM BABU: ABCD.TABISH: The one which we showedto all the children of Chingari.Was it the first time you hadseen talkies?SHYAM BABU: YesTABISH: What else will you do in

Bombay?SHYAM BABU: get the autographof Amitabh Bachchan.TABISH: Wouldn’t you like tomeet any heroines?SHYAM BABU: Sir, heroines arebad.TABISH: grow up a little andyou’ll start liking heroines more. SHYAM BABU: Sir, I would like tomeet Sonakshi Sinha (actress).TABISH: Which movies of hershave you have watched?SHYAM BABU: Rani tu main Rajai.e. Son of Sardar and RowdyRathore. You’re Queen I’m King.TABISH: Would you go to thebeach?SHYAM BABU: Yes. I would playin the water. You take a photo-graph, I would enjoy myself.TABISH: Why must I take pictures,I should also enjoy myself.SHYAM BABU: You also enjoy, Sir,we will hire a photographer.TABISH: Do you know there is ahouse in Bombay shaped like ashoe?SHYAM BABU: I would like tovisit that.

TABISH: Ok, you said you likeSonakshi Sinha, what do you likeabout her?SHYAM BABU: Sir, I like her smile.TABISH: And what do you like inShahrukh Khan?SHYAM BABU: He acts well and hismovies are good.TABISH: Which movie of his haveyou seen, as Chennai Express isnot yet released?SHYAM BABU: Jab tak hai Jaan. Ilike the songs i.e. Challa kiLabda phire and Ishq Shawa.TABISH: Katrina Kaif was also inthat movie, don’t you like her?SHYAM BABU: No.TABISH: Why.SHYAM BABU: Sir I don’t like her.TABISH: What do you like inAmitabh Bachchan?SHYAM BABU: His style and hisway of speaking.TABISH: Do you watch KaunBanega Crorepati? (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in its Indianform, that inspired Slumdog Millionaire.) SHYAM BABU: YesTABISH: What happens in it?SHYAM BABU: They’ve stoppedshowing it.TABISH: If you win a crore of rupees (£100,000), what wouldyou to do with it?SHYAM BABU: Sir, first I wouldmake my house.TABISH: Where.SHYAM BABU: Sir just where I liveat present, but a house of cement,and bricks. TABISH: So, that you don’t haveproblems in the rain. What else?SHYAM BABU: I’d get a water pipe.TABISH: Why, is the governmentnot providing a water pipe?SHYAM BABU: Sir, they have givenwater to many nearby houses but

not to my house.TABISH: What else?SHYAM BABU: I’d give everyone atChingari with a toy vehicle.TABISH: Very good. And?SHYAM BABU: And clothes anddolls for the girls.TABISH: Ok, so toy car for boysand dolls for girls, what aboutgiving them something to eat?SHYAM BABU: Yes sir, I will makea feast of samosas, jalebis, pohaand mithai (sweets).TABISH: There’d still be a lot ofmoney left. SHYAM BABU: I would distributeit to Chingari.TABISH: Won’t you buy anythingfor yourself?SHYAM BABU: Sir, I would buy alaptop for myself. Sir, I willdownload songs from internetand would play it as a DJ.TABISH: You have not broughtSuraj Bhaiya’s DJ card? (see p.3.)SHYAM BABU: Sir, water is fillednear Suraj bhai’s house.MINAKSHI: You could have wornslippers and gone there.SHYAM BABU: It is quite muddyalso.MINAKSHI: So, I would have gone.

SHYAM BABU: Sir, her house isnear to Suraj Bhaiya’s house.TABISH: You are both next doorneighbours. Suraj Bhaiya’s housewould almost be equidistantfrom your houses. Do bring hiscard. We need to send it to England to show them.SHYAM BABU: Sir, I would make aDJ vehicle and would also buyhorses and lights (he call it batti,basically they are portable lightsused in marriage processions).TABISH: What will you do with it?SHYAM BABU: Sir, I would use itduring marriage season and hireboys to assist in this work.TABISH: You have a full businessplan.SHYAM BABU: YesMINAKSHI: You should hire bothboys and girls.SHYAM BABU: No, girls won’t behired.TABISH: Why?SHYAM BABU: Sir, boys tease them.TABISH: So, what. Don’t you knowit’s a crime to tease a girl? Ifyou find someone teasing a girl,you can give him to the police.SHYAM BABU: Sir, when I start theDJ, I will call you first andforemost to download the songs.

TABISH: Would you pay me?SHYAM BABU: Yes.TABISH: How much?SHYAM BABU: Thousand rupees –no, however much you ask.TABISH: You were saying you’dgive me a thousand rupees.SHYAM BABU: No, sir two lakhs(two hundred thousand) rupees.No, two thousand rupees.TABISH: You have taken my payto two lakhs and directly low-ered it to two thousand rupees.SHYAM BABU: Sir, I would giveyou two thousand rupees.TABISH: What else will you do?SHYAM BABU: I would play thespeakers at such a volume thatthe whole vehicle would startshaking. I would also put in amachine and a generator.TABISH: What for?SHYAM BABU: Sir, don’t you know,a DJ runs on a generator.TABISH: What else is needed?SHYAM BABU: A machine is usedalong with a big electric boardwith a pointer in it. And we need to press the button and start the

laptop. They play half-half songs.TABISH: Which song do you likemost?SHYAM BABU: Ishq Shawa.TABISH: What do you like most inthat song?SHYAM BABU: Katrina has dancedwell in that song.TABISH: Just now you were sayingthat you don’t like Katrina andnow you are saying that you likeher dance. I have a recording ofyour voice saying this. These twostatements are contradictory.SHYAM BABU: Sir, I like her dancebut not her personality.TABISH: You just like the smileof Sonakshi?SHYAM BABU: She also danceswell.TABISH: You have seen her song.Chintata chita chita, what areyour views on thatSHYAM BABU: I like that also.TABISH: Which other heroine, doyou like except SonakshiSHYAM BABU: KarishmaTABISH: Karishma? Is it Karishmaor Kareena?

SHYAM BABU: Sir, Kareena.TABISH: Karishma Kapoor is theelder sister of Kareena Kapoor.She used to do movies duringour time. Ok, even after makinga house, distributing the toy carin Chingari and doing otherthings, still money would be left.What would you do with thatmoney?SHYAM BABU: Sir, we would buy aloading vehicle. We will loadmaterial in it and will do thatbusiness. And also buy two bikesand a car for me.TABISH: For whom would you buythe two bikes?SHYAM BABU: For my two brothers.TABISH: So, your brothers wouldbe riding bikes and you alonewould be moving around in acar?SHYAM BABU: No, Mummy andPapa would accompany me.TABISH: I feel this investmentwould spend all the money.SHYAM BABU: Yes.TABISH: Ok, now I feel youshould go to class for yourstudies.