To children, with love, from The Times Of India readers

BHUBANESHWAR: More than 60 underprivileged children walked home happier on Tuesday thanks to your (the TOI readers) generouss contribution to the Times Rath Yatra campaign.
From toys to toffees, books to colour boxes, apparels to accessories and assorted sweets, you virtually poured in your heart responding to the TOI initiative carried out in association voluntary organization PECUC, to make the festive occasion more cheerful and inclusive for the less fortunate kids.
The community centre at Kargil Basti here wore a festive look on Tuesday as the TOI-PECUC team reached the venue to distribute gifts sent by the readers for them. "It could not have been a better occasion for me. I got a box containing note books, pen, pencils and colours and some sweets. Thanks to whoever sent it for me,"said Prahlad Behera, son of a small-time fish vendor and resident of the Kargil slum.
Joining the rest of the state, these slum children too spent the day in festive spirit. "I could never ask my parents to buy these for me during Rath Yatra,"said Mahesh Patnaik, an eight-year-old while flaunting his gift pack containing a tiffin box and letter blocks.
An elated Mamali Behera, a nine-year-old, did not open her box immediately. "I will take this home and open it before my mother. Let it remain a surprise till then,"she said.
PECUC secretary Ranjan Mohanty said the readers’ response to the initiative was overwhelming. "My phone has been constantly ringing ever since an announcement was made in TOI pages inviting contributions in kind for the less privileged. Though July 17 was announced as the last date to contribute, many people are still making offers,"he said.
Some of the larger gifts such as carrom boards would be kept at the learning centre for urban deprived children in the same slum. "Since several boys and girls come to the centre for learning on a daily basis, these would be helpful tool for them to unwind,"said Anuradha Mohanty of PECUC.
Members of Kargil Nagar Basti Unnayana Samiti, a voluntary body which tries to improve living conditions in the slum, appreciated the gesture. "Such noble gesture would go a long way in cheering up our deprived children. I thank all those involved in the initiative,"said Rabi Narayan Dash, president of the samiti.