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 I exist therefore I am - is what the Banyan stands for. It identifies with every individual, even the lowliest of all, as an entity and gives it a right to live with dignity and be accepted in society.
The Banyan has been dedicated to the empowerment of the mentally ill destitute women ever since it was formed in 1993. This chennai-based NGO which started with just one-person, today boasts of more than nine hundred women who have been successfully treated and rehabilitated. Out of which four hundred have been re-united with their families.
Two young and dynamic women - Vandana Gopikumar and Vaishnavi Jayakumar, spearheaded the Banyan, which rightly stands for shelter and protection. Vandana, a student of Madras School of Social Work, while visiting her close friend Vaishnavi, at Women's Christian College, witnessed society's lack of concern to the plight of a naked, mentally ill, destitute woman. Hence, Banyan germinated.
 I first met Vandana at the office of my aunt, who is the Secretary of the Social Welfare Department. Vandana had come over to take us to the new building of the Banyan at Nillambur. Our honourable Chief Minister, Selvi J Jayalalithaa, had donated the land for the building in the year1994. Individuals and corporate groups had contributed to the building fund.
Vandana was quite opposite to my image of a social worker. Most of us visualise a social worker as one carrying big bags, in khadi clothes, wearing big bindis and extra eye makeup. On the contrary, Vandana was dressed in a simple blue jeans and pink top and had short hair. She looked the kind of girl that one comes across in daily life. During the journey from the Secretariat to Banyan, Vandana recapitulated the memories of her yesteryears.
She and Vaishnavi both were just twenty-two when they started the selfless motto of serving and caring for others. They never thought money could be a problem. They still don't think so. Their families and friends played a vital role in providing support and encouragement to them. However, many others thought that it would not last long. They also had many critics. There have been ups and downs in their life to an extent that they wanted to give it all up and forget about the whole thing. Fortunately, any good work never stops. They got encouragement from the right people, who were themselves devoted to the welfare of others. Every time they had a set back they got back in the tracks with double vigour and willpower. It is a miracle that they have been feeding and providing treatment to about two hundred inmates at any given point of time. It has been a constant struggle for them to raise the required funds.
 When we reached the Banyan, we were given a warm welcome. A rehabilitated women patient performed 'aarti' for us. Another one tied colourful friendship bands on our hands, which she had made herself. Then we were taken around the building. The beautiful new building made of red-bricks stands tall and is airy and well designed. It shelters hundreds of homeless and mentally ill, who would have been otherwise left in misery - unheard and uncared for. In addition, the Banyan also provides out-patient services to about three hundred patients in the community.
The women who are sheltered by the Banyan have been subjected to the worst possible crimes both physical and mental like rape, molestation and abandonment. Shakespeare in 'Hamlet' says:
Frailty thy name is woman,
Nothing can be more paradoxical to her,
She is wronged, tortured and humiliated
Even then if she isn't extinct,
There can be only word synonymous to her - Strength
 The Banyan has proved that given a chance the most neglected and deprived person can once again stand on her feet and be a useful member of society. All they need is empowerment.
In the Banyan women are involved with various skilled works like block printing, weaving, tailoring and handicrafts. It is a transit home, where they are given a clean, safe and caring environment and an opportunity to start their life with a new hope. They also help in running the place and carry out tasks in the kitchen and dining hall.
The day we went to the Banyan it was Vaishnavi's birthday. Even though she was not feeling well the staff and patients had arranged a birthday party for her. We all got together for an excellent lunch, which was completed, with a black-forest pastry. Seeing the two of them together was delightful. They look just simple and ordinary like all of us. They like to go for movies, have fun, party around and love their female dog Goofika. Yet they are made of sterner stuff and display an extraordinary spirit. At the Banyan, Vandana and Vaishnavi encourage both men and women to volunteer for the cause. They are not the 'no-no male' kinds or the one's who call men MCPs, blaming them always for the plight of women. On the other hand they encourage their women volunteers to marry and settle down in life.
 Among the growing number of welfare organisations, what makes the Banyan stand out? Is it the cause, the work or its accomplishment? Indeed it is the passion, dedication and devotion of the Banyan family, which makes it stand out. In the face of all the odds they have stuck to their guns and provided acknowledgement to the un-existing,. lost and forgotten.
About the writer:
I am Natasha from Delhi. I am nineteen and I am on vacation in Chennai. I am spending my time by visiting welfare organisations in the city and writing about them. My first visit has been to the Banyan. My aim is to help these organisations through my writing. I hope the readers will come forward and help those who help the needy.
Natasha Garyali
e-mail: mirror_reflection@rediffmail.com
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