The “pizza grannies” have attained iconic status in Bangalore due to their innovative fund-raising method. Anu visits the home that the energetic 70-year olds lovingly built.

On a breezy Thursday, I make my way across town to a senior citizens home set in surroundings of lush green and quiet. As I open the wicker gate and walk around, well manicured lawns and vibrantly coloured flowers greet me. Two smiling women clad in simple yet elegant cotton sarees welcome me into the spacious dining cum recreation room of ‘Vishranthi’ - a haven of calm for the aged.

The “Pizza Grannies”, as they are affectionately called, have risen to fame with their innovative concept of a pizza venture to raise funds to construct an old age centre. Today this block of concrete stands testimony to the hard work, zeal and vision of two very enterprising women. The brainchild of Mrs. Padma Srinivasan(73), Mrs. Sarasa Vasudevan (her daughter) and Mrs. Jayalakshmi Srinivasan(77), has been built in two years with Mrs. Padma steering the way and several philanthropists and corporates like TCS and Mantri Developers chipping in. “My daughter Sarasa was the catalyst for this project. We couldn’t have done without her”, says Mrs Padma as she gives me a quick recap of how it all started. “Pizza Haven initially started off as a small tuck shop catering to young school and college-goers. We trained and employed 10 destitute women from Little Sisters to do the cooking. All our ingredients are prepared from scratch. We now cater to several IT companies. It has been several years of hard work and determination.”

Vishranthi boasts of bright, spacious and airy personal rooms, community halls with basic furniture and tranquil meditation/Satsang rooms. Wholesome, nourishing vegetarian food is prepared by a resident cook. Vishranthi has a tie-up with the nearby MV Jayaram Hospital for the medical needs of the inmates. A doctor from the nearby village is also available for emergencies.

“In spite of a lot of difficulties in life, I am grateful that God gave me money and more importantly, the mind to spend it in such a way that I can contribute to society. It is this thought that drives me everyday and keeps me active”, says Mrs. Padma. The inmates of Vishranthi come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from a retired librarian of American Information Services to 82 year old Elizabeth Gardner, a Swiss national. “I choose my inmates very carefully. I look for people with a sound educational background, from good families, who are generous and broad-minded; most importantly, they must possess a spirit of service. We have taken so much from society. It’s time to help others”. Varied as their backgrounds might be, all inmates share a common passion for contributing to social good.

“A training center has been set up where vocational skills like tailoring are taught to women from neighbouring villages. I myself take Spoken English classes for children” adds the dynamic septuagenarian. “TCS has given us 10 computers which we use to conduct basic computer courses for children from the villages in the evenings. All this is done free of cost”, she says with a smile.

As I am taken around the building, one gets the feeling that one has come home. Tree lined pathways, open and spacious porches where one can relax and absorb the verdant atmosphere is what Vishranthi is all about. Apart from the twelve rooms for senior citizens, an orphanage has also been built on the second floor with separate dormitories for girls and boys. Children from the ages of 3-15yrs will be taken in and cared for.

‘Rest’ doesn’t seem to figure in Mrs. Padma’s life though her home aims to offer precisely that. She signs off-“I wish and pray that I am like a galloping horse till my last breath. After all, it’s loving and giving which makes life worth living!”

Contacts:

Vishranthi Home

Ph: 080 27921145