An Old Age Home at Nainital
We keep on hearing time and again how the lives of those who live by high ideals influence the lives of others quietly and imperceptibly. We find an excellent example in the life of Meera, a young and dynamic social activist involved in many a social and charitable projects in Washington, USA, who met with a violent road accident, brutally cutting short her life at the prime of her bright carrier. But her dynamic spirit lived to ignite the minds of those close to her during her lifetime and inspired them to continue the good work here in India with the same zeal with which she was carrying out her projects in the far off land of her choosing.
Meera’s uncle K.P.Bhatnagar came up with the idea to build an Old Age Home to commemorate the memory of his loving niece, taking a cue from the many social and charitable organizations Meera was running in her lifetime to help the needy in USA.
Unusual for a person who himself is in his golden years to take such a bold decision, K.P.Bhatnagar got registered a trust ‘Shri Beni Prasad Bhatnagar Charitable Trust’ to give shape to his noble project. He named the trust after the name of his revered father Mr Beni Prasad Bhatnagar who himself was a philanthropist and an educationist active in Lucknow. His life was spent in the task of upliftment of under privileged of the society. K.P.Bhatnagar is the founder Chairman of the Trust.
The trust, backed by undaunted and resolute efforts of K.P.Bhatnagar, ably assisted by his son Sundeep Bhatnagar, is now well on way to concretise this mission after overcoming numerous difficulties. Today, “Meera’s Old Age Home” is coming up in the picturesque village, Malla Niglat which is situated at a height of 5000 feet from sea level in cool, quite and natural environment about three kilometers from the beautiful health resort of Bhowali at a distance of about 13 kilometers from the lake city of Nainital. Spread over an area of two and a half acres of residential land donated by the Trust, the home will cover an area of 32000 sq.feet. It will have sufficient build up space to house more than one hundred inmates when completed.
It is envisaged that the home will have single bed, double bed and dormitory accommodation. The trust has got the contour map of the land made and the team of architects has handed over the layout plan and architectural drawings of the building. It is estimated that the single bed accommodation in the home would cost about Rs.5000 per month which will include cost of food, lodging and other facilities.
A recreation hall capable of accommodating 150 people, a meditation hall for 200 people, a library with seating capacity of 50 and a clinic with 10 bed basic facility for patients and a medical van are also planned to be added to the infrastructure of the home.
It promises the elderly a homely atmosphere, facilities and security along with the medical aid. The trust has kept a provision of 25 beds for elders from amongst the economically weaker section. The trust will take care of them out of its own funds without compromising on the standards and services.
The estimated expenditure on this project is expected to be about 7 crores, which the trust is trying to generate through donations from willing partners. The trust is offering a life membership to those who contribute Rs.10000, while those contributing Rs.1 lac will be offered patronage. The founder Chairman, K.P.Bhatnagar himself has given the required land for building the home.
All those interested in giving their services to the needy are welcome to join the Trust by paying the contribution. K.P.Bhatnagar is available on phones:09719278067 or 0968433345 and Sundeep Bhatnagar on 09350893765. Cheques are accepted in favor of “Shri Beni Prasad Cheritable Trust”. The Delhi address of the office of the Trust is:37-A, Pocket 12, Jasola Vihar, New Delhi–110025, Phone:011-32038543. (Contributed by our Staff Reporter).
