Empowering and educating

Among the many projects that the Erach and Roshan Sadri Foundation (ERSF) (ERSF) is supporting is Balaknama, "the world’s first newspaper prepared solely by street children,” notes an email from ERSF trustees Jehangir Sarosh, OBE and Darius Sarosh, brothers of the late Roshan Sadri. The bimonthly newspaper is the initiative of the New Delhi based Badhte Kadam, the federation of street and working children (SWC) that was formed in 2002. On a visit to Delhi, Darius was "very impressed” with the efforts made to highlight the living conditions of the street children. He remarked, "It is sad to see that whilst many have greatly benefited from the economic boom in India these children are forgotten… Regrettably many in India turn a blind eye or are unaware of the plight of these children. We therefore decided to fully support the children to produce an English version (of Balaknama). This is now distributed to national and local government officials, foreign embassies, corporate organizations and other institutions.” Balaknama considers ERSF that contributed £ 9,500 (Rs 9,50,000) last year its project partner and Delhi based CHETNA (Childhood Enhancement Through Training and Action) its implementing partner. "Balaknama has not as yet applied for further funding but when they do the trustees will look favorably upon their request. We hope your readers will also support the paper,” stated Darius.

Through Balaknama, SWC express their concerns and views, and offer their perspective on policies and programs regarding adolescents. Over the last 12 years 51 issues of Balaknama have highlighted the pain and suffering experienced by street children who have to routinely encounter corporeal punishment, sub-human working condition, sex, substance and verbal abuse, and pathetic living conditions. Given a voice by Balaknama, children from some of the North Indian cities of Delhi, Noida, Mathura, Agra, Gwalior and Jhansi now feel empowered. The sentiments and turn of phrase used in the original articles in Hindi are retained in the English version of Balaknama to project the efforts of children.
With Balaknama, ERSF is able to fulfill two of its objectives: providing financial assistance for education and welfare purposes; and relieving poverty by alleviating homelessness. Since its foundation in 2005 after the demise of Roshan Sadri, ERSF has totally donated £4,384,428.66 (Rs 43,84,42,866) to charities in different parts of the world, according to its website. The latest grants given by the Foundation were to The Bombay Community Public Trust (for teaching English in Maharashtra); Care Himalayan Region, a Nepal charity; and three UK charities, Learning for Life, Freedom to Learn, Religions for Peace.
By regularly contributing £ 20,000 to the Scholarship Fund of the World Zoroastrian Organisation, ERSF meets its third objective of assisting members of the Zoroastrian religious faith. Applications from full-time students, born of one or both Zoroastrian parents, pursuing higher education in a college, university or recognized institution preferably in India or Pakistan are vetted for a one-time grant based on their academic performance, financial need, extracurricular activities and community service.
As recalled on the ERSF website, the Sadris "took everything in their stride and had a true pioneering spirit.” Shortly after their marriage they went off to live in Afghanistan where Roshan became a teacher in an international school in Kabul and Erach flew Dakotas, "old tin buckets,” over some of the most dangerous terrains in the world. After a few years the couple returned to England where Roshan became a social worker and Erach started Housemasters, a company that imported travel goods and household items.
The other trustees of the Foundation are Margaret Lynch, Shabbir Merali and Sammy Bhiwandiwalla with Mark Cann serving as director.