Delhi archdiocese provides night shelter to poor and destitutes

New Delhi – The archdiocese of Delhi recently opened a night shelter for the poor and destitutes of the city, a move, it hopes, would help lessen the sufferings of the homeless and the poor and decrease incidents of crime in the city, Christian Today has confirmed.

‘Antyodaya’ (Night Shelter) run by the Delhi Archdiocese, aims to cater to the vulnerable who live on Delhi’s streets by providing a night shelter for women and children at risk, medical care, specialized treatment for the destitute who are ill or dying and rehabilitation programmes for homeless drug users. The services are provided free of cost to all those who are confirmed destitute living in New Delhi, especially around railway and bus stations.

Apostolic Nuncio to India, Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, inaugurated and dedicated ‘Antyodaya’ house to the homeless and destitute on June 15. The venture largely supported by Archbishop Quintana himself was inaugurated on the occasion of his silver jubilee of his priestly ordination.

‘Antyodaya’ is an inter–faith initiative committed to the compassionate cause of the homeless, ill and destitute in Delhi. The idea of a home for the homeless was conceived by Fr. Ravindra Jain of the Archdiocese of Delhi and inaugurated by the Delhi Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao in October 2001.

The members of ‘Antyodaya’ visit hundreds of distressed women, children, sick people, drug users and poor people, out on the streets. They listened to their woes and fears and have also saved many lives by taking them to hospitals or shelters. ‘Antyodaya’ working in cooperation with St. Columbus School and St. Anthony’s Boys Senior Secondary School, has opened night shelters in these schools. ‘Antyodaya’ provides within the school premises a place where hot tea is offered, medical aid is available and safety to who have been suffering from atrocities in the other night shelters.

Giving a brief introduction to ‘Antyodaya’ Fr. Ravindra described how the land for building a home for the homeless was obtained after much running around. He also mentioned the contributions made by the Nuncio for this noble cause. He said the building was still under construction and would be completed soon.

In his homily during the inaugural Eucharist, the Auxiliary Bishop of Delhi Anil Couto lauded the efforts made by Fr. Ravindra in bringing up such an institution for the poor.

In his message, Archbishop Quintana said that 25 years ago, the late Pope John Paul II ordained him a priest at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican City. Now, he was celebrating his silver jubilee in ‘Antyodaya’. Even though this place wasn’t as beautiful as the Basilica, it had a special place in his heart as it serves the poor, and this he thought was a very apt way to celebrate his Silver Jubilee, he said.

Having worked in close association with Mother Teresa for many years, Fr. Ravidra Jain feels especially called to serve the thousands who struggle to survive on the pavements and streets of Delhi. He was deeply touched by the compassionate services of others like the distribution of food to the hungry and hot tea to pavement dwellers on cold winter nights.