- Navajeevan Bala Bhavan

Newsletter: June & July 2013
NAVAJEEVAN VANI
s
VIJAYAWADA
Message from the Executive Director:
Navajeevan Bala Bhavan, Vijayawada is happy to bring out the first news letter
with updated series of events undertaken during two months. It is also apt to release it on
August 15, when the British Flag was lowered and Indian tri-colour was raised with pomp
and glory, signifying the independence of India from foreign rule. In fact, Bala Gangadar
Tilak said, “freedom is my birth right”. Hence, it was a moment of history when India
became the master of its own destiny. Although India is politically free, Indians continue
to be the slaves of illiteracy, economic poverty and a hundred and one ills the nation has
to face. Many freedom fighters in earlier years of previous century fought for freedom,
made sacrifices and were imprisoned. The struggle and sacrifices made by our great
icons paved the way for Independent and free India. But, today, India still ought to be
liberated from corruption, injustice, high-handedness and exploitation and violence.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
While we build and provide for ourselves, we must have the spirit of sacrifice and
commitment as inheritance of our forefathers to provide for those who suffer from
injustice, subjugation and harassment. Unless this is achieved progressively, India cannot
be truly free! We have to address these problems to usher a truly meaningful
independence!
Fr. S. Bala Showry, SDB
Executive Director, NJBB
“It is enough
that you are
young, for me
to love You
-Don Bosco
 History of Navajeevan Bala Bhavan, Vijayawada:
The Navajeevan Bala Bhavan was established in 1989, at the invitation of the Municipal Corporation
of Vijayawada, to rescue and rehabilitate Street Children. Those children, who cannot find their homes for
various reasons, are encouraged to choose from possibilities of rehabilitation-regular education/ training in
various trades and other life-coping skills which would inculcate in them self esteem and self confidence to
be self reliant. These deprived children are thus integrated into society’s main-stream as responsible
citizens. Navajeevan received the National Award for Child Welfare in 1996. In 1997, the Government
of Andhra Pradesh recognized Navajeevan Bala Bhavan as a Fit Institution. Recognizing the success of its
work for the cause of street children, Navajeevan was invited in 1997 by the Municipal Corporation to start
center for the working children at Auto Nagar, the industrial estate within the city limits.
 Vision: “A child friendly society where all children enjoy their RIGHTS” – Rights means: Right
to Survival, Right to Protection, Right to Development & Right to Participation - as enshrined by
United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child practicing Non discrimination and best
interest of child.
 Silver Jubilee Year of Navajeevan Bala Bhavan 1989 to 2014:
The year 2013-2014 is a very special year as it is being the silver jubilee
year of Navajeevan Bala Bhavan, Vijayawada. The Silver Jubilee Year was
officially declared open by Rev. Fr. Raminedi Bala Raju, the Provincial of
Hyderabad on 23rd June, 2013.
Navajeevan Bala Bhavan – Vijayawada
1
N
NAVAJEEVAN AT A GLANCE AS ON 31.07.2013




DATA OF RESCUED CHILDREN
Total Number of Street Children Rescued by NJBB Since 1993
Total Number of Children Home Integrated Since 1995
Boys
Girls
39986
22283
2417
2031
Total Number of Child Labour rescued since Apr 2002
5423
2911
30
690
Boys
Girls
Orientation Camps (GCPC & De-addiction camp)
33
0
Residential Bridge Schools – Chiguru (Teeram & Baalika)
Day Bridge School (Play School, Singh Nagar)
School Going Children (staying in Moggas)
77
16
107
46
18
0
Children staying in Boarding Schools
10
99
Children staying in Govt Hostels
Children joined in local schools
(Attending schools staying with their families)
College-going children
35
42
Total
42403
24314
8,334
720
Total
33
123
34
107
109
77
225
186
411
49
66
53
28
115
81
2
53
55
Total Number of Domestic Child Workers rescued since 2007
CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY OF NAVAJEEVAN














Open School Children (10 class – distance education)
LAST (Livelihood Advancement Skills Training) for girls in
Beautician, Tailoring and Computer Courses)
VTC (Vocational Training for the boys in Carpentry, Two
Wheeler Mechanism and Electrician)
Educational support to affected/infected children
Children in Evening Tuition Centres (ETCs)
28
0
28
156
805
159
883
Mainstreamed children into regular schooling
92
78
315
1688
170
th
GLIMPSES OF EVENTS - JUNE 2013
CAMP: 40 new children from the children’s parliament of 14 Mandals of
Krishna District enthusiastically participated in the training for 5 days on
“Children As Media Producers (CAMP)” – an innovative tool to present
the local issues to the concerned duty bearers. They are trained on making
scripts, videos, short documentaries pertaining to relevant issues affecting
them.
CONVERGENCE MEET : Navajeevan Bala Bhavan in collaboration
with the Forum For Child Rights, Vijayawada organized “GOs and
NGOs Meet” to plan for anti-child labour campaigns and back to school
programme for the dropouts of school children. Fr. Thomas Koshy,
Chairperson-Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Directors of line
departments, representatives of civil society organizations and other team
members took part and discussed about concerted and consolidated
efforts to mainstream dropouts, especially victims of domestic labour.
I AM A GIRL: Child Safety Net (CSN) team of urban and rural mandals has motivated 15 girl children to
participate in a campaign “I am a Girl” to promote girl child rights organized by Plan India in
collaboration with Divya Disha and Andhra Pradesh Child Rights Advocacy Foundation at hotel Ilapuram,
Vijaywada on June 11,2013.
Navajeevan Bala Bhavan – Vijayawada
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NINE IS MINE: A group of 5 children from Mylavaram mandal participated in regional “Nine is Mine”
campaign, an advocacy initiative of the children for the children by the children and is lead by the Waada
Na Todo Abhiyan, organized by Fr. Pallithanam Thomas, PARA, Ravulapalem.
Anti Child Labour Day was observed on June 12, 2013, and signature
campaign was conducted against child labour in solidarity with the child
labourers. Many distinguished dignitaries of the allied systems both
government and civil society organizations - CWC, Department of Labour,
Department of Women and Child Development, Forum for Child Rights,
members of political parties and members of civil society organizations
participated.
Rickshaw Campaign was conducted with the theme “WE ARE
AGAINST CHILD LABOUR and YOU ?” for three days in major areas
of child labour – Auto Nagar, One Town, Besant Road, Railway Station,
Bus Stand etc.
Refresher Training Programme on Art Based Therary (ABT):
A state level “Refresher Training Programme on Art Based Therary (ABT)” was organized by
Juvenile Justice Desk-Andhra Pradesh for the frontline workers directly dealing wit h children in need of
care and protection from both government departments as well as civil society organizations. The
programme was inaugurated by Mr. A. L. Kismath Kumar-Director for Juvenile Welfare, Correctional
Services and Welfare of Street Children, Government of Andhra Pradesh. The honourable chairpersons and
members of Child Welfare Committees of various districts (Nalgonda, Prakasham, Rangareddy and
Khammam) and Fr. T D John, Director, Don Bosco Oota-Psychosocial services, Hyderabad graced the
occasion and emphasized the need for comprehensive participatory strategies like ABT to deal with
children with mild disorders effectively. In addition to it, Mr. Kismath Kumar called for creating child
friendly environment, wherein children in need of care and protection may grow as honest citizens.
GLIMPSES OF EVENTS - JULY 2013
TRAINING PROGRAMME ON FACT FINDING & CHILD RIGHTS :
The violation of Child Rights is on the increase, in spite of the
available legislations and mechanisms for protecting the children from
violence, abuse and exploitation. On the other hand, there is a gap between the
availability of the systems and demand for justice. In order to bridge the gap,
Navajeevan Bala Bhavan initiated a pressure group from various areas to
monitor the child rights. It is called Child
Rights Monitoring Cell (CRMC). Child Safety
Net – District Resource Team (CSN-DRT)
conducted a five-days training on Fact
Finding as part of child rights monitoring at Vimukthi campus, Nuzivid.
Dr. Nagesh-CWC member, Fr. Bala Showry, ED-NJBB, Mr. Murali
Krishna-Circle Inspector of Police and Mr. Francis Thambi-Program
Director, APCRAF were present in the training. The facilitator explained
child rights, human rights, domestic violence act, fact finding, filing FIR
and related legal activities.
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS :
“NEETHODU”- a project for the children affected/infected by
HIV/AIDS, Navajeevan Bala Bhavan provided educational support to
315 children (156 boys and 159 girls) affected/infected by HIV/AIDS.
The sum total of Rs.2,19,750/- was spent as part of the Annual
Educational Support to the above mentioned children.
Navajeevan Bala Bhavan – Vijayawada
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BI-MONTHLY NUTRITION TO PERSONS INFECTED BY HIV/AIDS:
Navajeevan has been supporting for the affected/infected persons
by HIV/AIDS. Neethodu team organized the distribution of Bi-monthly
Nutrition to the infected persons on July 29, 2013 at Yuva Bhavan. 80
persons of this category were provided nutritional provisions (66 Female
and 14 Male).The Nutritional groceries of 11 items, which is worth of
Rs.1,100/- comprised of Fine Rice-10 Kgs, Wheat Flour-1Kg, Ragi Flour1 Kg, Groundnut-1 Kg, Sunflower Oil-1Kg, Redgram-1/2 Kg, Blackgram1Kg, Jaggery-1/2kg, Greengram-1/2kg; Yellowgram-1/2 kg and Protinex
Powder-1/4Kg were distributed to each person.
ORIENTATION PROGRAMME ON JJ ACT TO THE POILICE :
Juvenile Justice Desk-Andhra Pradesh (JJ AP Desk)
conducted an Orientation Programme on “The Role of Special
Juvenile Police Unit in implementation of Juvenile Justice
(Care & Protection) Amendment Act 2006” on July 07, 2013
at Sri Umesh Chandra IPS Conference Hall which is at the
Office of Superintendent of Police in Karimnagar District.
Addressing the gathering, Mr.Krishna Prasad explained to the
Police on Juvenile Justice Act and Constitution of Juvenile
Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees and noninstitutional services proposed by the Act. The police were
motivated to use “The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013” which made amendments to The Indian
Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and The Protection of
Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 against the sexual offences towards children in the District. JJ
AP Desk sincerely thanks Dr.V.Ravinder I.P.S., Superintendent of Police of Karimnagar, Deputy
Superintendents of Police and other officers for their cooperation and support to create a Child Friendly
Society in Karimnagar District.
CHILDREN’S MANIFESTO - PANCHAYAT ELECTIONS :
It was the time for local body elections in Krishna
district, Andhra Pradesh. As usual, children were not
treated as partners/stakeholders in the village-level
activities. Hence, CSN-DRT and CSN-Penamaluru teams
felt the need to facilitate Children Parliaments to
include Children’s Manifesto into Panchayats.
Accordingly, the concerned teams along with children’s
parties submitted the children’s manifesto to the village
presidential candidates in target villages of 14 mandals.
Majority of the presidential candidates assured to include the manifesto. The initiative of CSN is to
politicize children’s issues and seek political solutions thereof.
SEXUAL HEALTH AND INTERVENTION PROGRAMME (SHIP) :
A Training Programme on Sexual Health and Intervention
Programme (SHIP) was conducted during July 16th-18th, 2013 in
Vanukuru Village, Krishna district for CSN Rural activists. The same
programme was held for CSN Urban activists at Yuva Bhavan,
Vijayawada during July 25th to 27th, 2013. 32 activists and 28 activists
participated respectively in the SHIP training. The main aim of the
training is to make the activists aware of sexual health and preventive
measures.
Navajeevan Bala Bhavan – Vijayawada
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LOW COST NUTRITION – KITCHEN GARDEN:
Conducted Kitchen Garden Demo in Mytrinagar Area of
Vijayawada Urban, 39 activists actively participated in the Programme.
The demo and awareness was given on Low Cost Nutrition,
cultivation and grow of the vegetables in the house premises itself with
lost cost.
SPECIAL EVENTS – JUNE & JULY 2013
FRIENDS OF NAVAJEEVAN AUSTRIA TEAM VISIT (FOA):
Katharina Jordan (Chairwoman), Nikolas (Secretary), Friends of
Navajeevan Austria (FOA) and other friends from Austria-Anna Jordan,
Tobias, Johanna and Magdalena visited Navajeevan Bala Bhavan for 15 days to
refresh and update on the interventions undertaken as well as exposure visits
thereof.
INSTALLATION OF NEW RECTOR-CUM-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
23rd July, 2013 is remembered as a red letter day in the history of
Navajeevan Bala Bhavan, Vijayawada. On this impressive occasion, Rev. Fr.
Salibindla Bala Showry Reddy, Sdb was officially installed as a Rector and
Executive Director of Navajeevan Bala Bhavan, Vijayawada during high
Eucharistic celebration presided over by Rev. Fr. R. Balaraju, Sdb, and
Provincial of Salesian Province of Hyderabad at 03.30pm. The other Frs.
Thomas Koshy, John Punnose and Y. Pradeep Reddy concelebrated the
Eucharist.
SUMMER CAMPS FOR CHILDREN AT MANGALAGIRI & CHIGURU :
Summer camps were conducted in the months of May and June
2013 by Navajeevan Bala Bhavan considering the needs of the children for
the orphaned, abandoned and for the children from the most marginalized
communities/families from classes 2nd to 10th, who were mainstreamed
into regular school. In fact, 90 children (60
girls and 30 boys) from various classes
from 3rd class up to college education
attended the camps conducted separately at
Mangalagiri and Chiguru for boys and girls for 35 days and 50 days
respectively. The main objective of the camp was to enhance academic
performance of the school-going children, especially orphans and semiorphans and to prepare them well for the next academic year.
WEDDING CELEBRATIONS AT NAVAJEEVAN :
Jonnalagadda Prasad weds Delphine: Navajeevan Family of Vijayawada was
delighted to celebrate the occasion of marriage of Mr. J Prasad with Ms.
Delphine at St Antony’s Church, Donakonda Village, Prakasam district, Andhra
Pradesh. Mr. Prasad was a street boy, who was brought up, educated and
employed as a staff in Navajeevan at Homelink Dept. The marriage was blessed
by Rev. Fr. Thomas Koshy, the Director of Chiguru, Navajeevan Bala Bhavan,
Rev. Fr. Balashowry, the Executive Director of Navajeevan celebrated the
wedding mass.
Navajeevan Bala Bhavan – Vijayawada
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Durga weds Ganesh: Navajeevan Family of Vijayawada had its immense
pleasure to celebrate the marriage of its daughter Ms Durga at Chinna Kakani,
Mangalagiri Taluq, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. Ms Durga is an orphan girl,
rescued from child work and staying in Navajeevan Bala Bhavan for the last 4
years who underwent skills training and presently employed in a garment making
unit in the city. Mr Ganesh, the groom is an employee in Manipal Hospital,
Vijayawada and willfully came forward to marry her with no dowry and other
obligations. This simple and memorable wedding celebration was witnessed by
Fr Thomas Koshy, the Director of Chiguru, and the volunteers from Austria and
Germany, the Navajeevan staff and other dignitaries.
SUCCESS STORIES OF HOME PLACEMENT
Ravi Kumar, a differently abled boy from Kavithalam,
Raichur, Karnataka, was said to be found missing in a
train when he was 8 years of age. He was rescued by
Navajeevan street presence team from Vijayawada railway
station. He was admitted to orientation camp. In spite of
many efforts by the team, his address could not be traced
with the sketchy details given by the boy. He was then
sent to school, but he could not cope up the studies. Later,
he was admitted to skill training in Tailoring. After
leaving Residential Skills Training Centre, Ravi continued
to stay in night shelter run by Navajeevan. Meanwhile, he
was given support to sell toys.
In 2012, the team again made efforts to trace his address, making use of www.missingchildsearch.com
and Homelink software. It was a breakthrough moment. With the details of the information searched in
Google network, Mr. J Prasad from the Homelink Desk traced out the name of the hometown of the boy.
With those details, Mr. Venakateswara Rao, a well experienced home integration team member started
journey towards Ravi’s hometown. Fortunately, the traced address was correct this time. At last, it was
very emotional and immemorable moments for Ravi and his family members for his return. There were
celebration of joy and victory in view of his return to home after 22 years. Navajeevan was very much
appreciated for this great venture.
LIFE CHANGE STORIES
FROM THE STREET TO THE PILOT - SOARING HIGH – ON WINGS OF HOPE
On his 24th birthday, Arun Koundinya is a commissioned Officer in the
Indian Air Force. He was commissioned in June 2011. Looking at this brilliant,
active and fun-loving young man, one would think he is a product of one of those
high-profile public schools. Far from it, the fact is that his childhood and adolescent
years were nothing more than pain, anxiety, uncertainty and struggle.
Pilot Arun with Fr Koshy, the
founder of Navajeevan, VJA
Arun’s family broke up when he was hardly 4 years old. He lived with his
father, SR Koundinya in Hyderabad. Koundinya was a very brilliant and well-read
man and worked as a freelance journalist. Arun had an elder sister, Sarah. They both attended the local
school. His father died of a massive heart-attack. Since then Arun was being educated by Navajeevan,
Vijayawada. He obtained B.Sc Degree in Mathematics, Electronics and Computers. By then, Arun had a
desire to get into some good government service, especially Air Force. So, he used to keep looking for ads
in the newspapers inviting applications for government services. One day, he saw an advertisement from
“Indian Air Force” for Ground Duty Officers Course (GDOC). He applied for it, cleared the written test
and the various interviews. He passed all the tests and got selected on merit for GDOC. Just then, his
Degree results were also declared in June 2010. To his hard work, he secured 62% marks. Immediately, he
Navajeevan Bala Bhavan – Vijayawada
6
joined the Course at the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad. On 18th June 2011, he completed the training and
became a Commissioned Officer. Believe it or not, Arun is now all set to conquer even the greater heights.
Mr. Arun now says: “All what I am is owed to Don Bosco Navajeevan, to the various persons at
Navajeevan, like Fr Koshy, Anu Aunty, Fr. Bala Showry and others. It is true that I applied for jobs, wrote
the exams etc. But, without the support of these persons, I would not have reached where I am today. When
I was going through hard and tough moments, it was Don Bosco Navajeevan that supported me, sustained
me, motivated and stood by me”.
Volunteers’ Desk in Navajeevan
Volunteers who would like to render their services in the social work, especially to work for the
betterment of children do visit our Navajeevan family as part of their exposure program required for the
academic curriculum from different countries at regular intervals. Their valuable services are very much
appreciated. Navajeevan family sincerely thanks them for their continual support and generosity for our
children. We pray that God may bless them for all that they do.
Volunteers who worked with us at different centres of Navajeevan and back at home:
Germany: Ms. Veronica Loebner, Ms. Iris Jacobsen, Mr.Jonathan Wiese
Austria: Ms. Rosa Frank, Mr. Niko Hauzenberger, Ms.Franziska Scheba, Mr.Laurin Meyer & Mr. Valentin Czamler
Visitors:
Germany: Mrs. Irene Loebner , Mr. Boris Wiese, Mr.Barnabas Wiese, Ms.Charlotte.
Austria:Ms.Martha, Ms.Daniela Praschl, Ms.Veronika, Ms.Daniela Moosaber , Mrs.Gabriele Frank, Ms.Julia Frank.
Volunteers at work:
Austria: Mr. Emanuel, Ms. Marion, Ms. Jasmine accompanied by her son Jonathan (3 yrs).
Germany: Ms. Lena Joeppen
Switzerland: Ms. Manuela
Sponsors for the months of June & July 2013
Navajeevan family of Vijayawada would like to thank all the generous donors and benefactors who
willingly helped our worthy poor and abandoned children. We highly appreciate their generosity, which is
expressed in kind and in cash. We gratefully remember and earnestly pray for them, especially Mr Vijay
Kumar, Mr. Prasad (Swetha Marbles), Mrs. Lalitha Shankar, Mrs. G V Ramanamma, Mr. N
Venkateswarlu, Dr. Babji & Karuna, Mr. M Phani Kumar, Mrs. K Bindu & Madhava Rao, Mr. BLN
Murthy, M/s. Yuvaratnam Foundation, Mr. A Satyanarayana, Mr. KVN Damodara Rao, Mr. N Udaya
Bhaskar, M/s. Pitchi Reddy & Sons, Mr. M Bhaskar, Mr. K S Rao, Mrs Subhadra Devi, Dr. Seshagiri, Mr.
Ramachandra Rao, Mr. GV Ramana Rao, Mr. Srinivasa Rao, Mr. A Raghunatha Rao, Mr. B Narasimha
Rao, Mr SK Baji, Mr Purnachandra Rao, Mr G Raghava Gupta, Mr G Krishna Kishore, Mrs A Lakshmi
Annapurna, Mr. Ch. ND Prasad, Mr. M Anjaneya Sarma, Mr. B Suryanraayana, Mr. Abdul Sattar, Mr.
Chandra Mohan, Mr. V P Sastry, Mr. P Nageswara Rao, Mr. V Narasimha Rao, Mrs.V Narasimha Rao,
Dr. A Rajasekhar, Mr. B. Bapi Reddy, Mr. P V Sayanarayana, Mrs. Sravani Krishna Kumari and Mr. SK
Abdul Waheed. Thank You and May God Bless You and Your Family!
Dear Friends of Children,
I am sure that you are well aware of the care that Navajeevan Bala Bhavan provides to about 1000
children in all our centers in and around Vijayawada. It is possible so far because of your generous and
regular support. We are very much in need of your continual support to reach out to many more children.
You may help us either in cash or kind. You are welcome to sponsor for the children in need. The
possibility for sponsorship/donation is given below for your reference.
Kind: Cooked food, Rice, Dal, Cooking Oil, sweets, Soaps (bathing and washing), tooth paste/tooth
powder, tooth brushes, coconut oil, pens, pencils, note books, school bags, compass boxes, blankets, bed
sheets, clothes etc.
Cash: Sponsor a child’s education Rs 10,000 per year for 10th Class and below (it includes food, clothing,
education, medical care etc).
Navajeevan Bala Bhavan – Vijayawada
7
1
2
Rs.30/Per child
Rs.50/Per child
Vegetarian Meal
Non-Vegetarian Meal
Fine Rice, Dal, Veg Curry/Fry, Chutney,
Papad, Curd, Sweet/Fruit
Biryani, White Rice, Chicken curry,
Sambar, Chutney, Curd, Sweet/Fruit
No. of children at present in different centers of Navajeevan: (To sponsor/donate in kind/in cash)
S.No
1
2
3
4
Local
Local
Local
Local
Local
Name of the centre
No. of children
Moggas, Vijayawada
Yuva Bhavan, Vijayawada
Shelter, Vijayawada
RVTC and VRB, Vijayawada
Infirmary, Vijayawada
Chiguru, Venkatapalem, Near Prakasam Barrage
Vimukthi, Nuzivid
Naveena, Penamaluru
107
45
40
30
20
123
24
10
Total :
399
242 children
in
Vijayawada
Local
157 children
at outstation
Staff of Navajeevan Family at the service of children
Male
54
Female
71
Total
125
Navajeevan Family
Save the child by leading him/her to Navajeevan. Sponsor a child to realize
his/her dream
Navajeevan Vani:
Editor
Associate Editor
Editorial Team
Contact Address:
Navajeevan Bala Bhavan,
D.No.24-3-35, 1st Lane, Bavajipet,
Andhra Ratna Road,
Vijayawada – 520 003 (AP), India
: Fr. S. Bala Showry Sdb
: Fr. Y. Pradeep Sdb
: Mr. R. Venkataswamy
: Mrs. Banu
: Mrs.K. Vijaya
Design & Layout
: Mr. Prasad J
Documentation &
Circulation
: Mr. Muneer Khan
Phone: +91-866-2439913
Mobile: 9491961875, 8500738785
Fax : +91-866-2431221
Rev. Fr. T. Koshy receiving the National
Award in 1996 from the Former President of
India in recognition for Child Welfare
Email: [email protected];
Website: www.njbb.org
Readers are welcome to send your valuable opinions / suggestions to make this
Newsletter more informative and effective
Navajeevan Bala Bhavan – Vijayawada
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