Pachayuduppu tells story of umpteen girls

KOZHIKODE: A caretaker at a government children’s home is the de facto mother of the inmates as she would be with them round the clock. Different types of children reach the home from contrasting backgrounds; victims of sexual abuse, substance abuse, orphaned and those wandering in streets. Each one of them would have diverse stories to tell, poignant real life stories with full of twists and turns often leading the listener to tears, grief and anger.

M. Jameela’s book, Pachayuduppu stands apart for its real accounts of umpteen girls who were the inmates of the government children’s home for girls at Vellimadukunnu in Kozhikode. Ms Jameela was its caretaker for nearly two decades (1997-2016) before retiring as child welfare inspector from the same institution. “The book is the biographical sketch of many girls who were there during various times. The circumstances that brought them there, their life at home and life after home were narrated,” she says. She beams with pride when speaking about the girls who later became an assistant professor, nurse, government employees and homemakers.

The book also sheds light on the lives of the girls who were exploited in the Kothamangalam and Varapuzha sex racket cases. The story of teenager Surumi, who was from an affluent background, indicates how utter neglect by the kith and kin paves the way for a child to institutional care. “Though the society’s attitude towards the children at homes has changed, more positive changes are needed. The change from the jam-packed 300 children’s home to less than 100 is also good,” Ms Jameela reminisces. Writer Khadeeja Mumtaz released the book published by Current Books in Kozhikode on Sunday.