The boy came back and motivated others to come back to real life
The police raid started in the grim winter morning. The DCP and his posse of policemen raided the infamous locality in old Delhi. They were accompanied by the members of Juvenile Board, personnel from Drug Controllers' Office and a psychiatrist. The team raided one after another gloomy, old building of the locality. The search continued for several hours and seventeen teen-age boys between fourteen to eighteen were rounded up. As all of them were below eighteen, they were taken to the custody of the Juvenile Board.The police had been receiving complaints from various quarters. The incidents of gang-fighting, pickpocket, chain-snatching and drug-peddling had been increasing at an alarming rate in old Delhi. Reliable sources had informed that these had been happening due to increase in the number of drug-addicts in the locality. Many of the drug-addicts were teen-agers. Hence the police raid along with the Juvenile Board personnel that day.
In the custody of the Juvenile Board, those teen-agers were interviewed by the trained personnel and the psychiatrist. They were astounded! These boys had indulged in all sorts of crimes including even murder and rape. Some interviewers declared them as hardcore criminals beyond any reform. Even then, these boys were asked to attend regular classes and sessions in the Motivation Hall and Training Centre adjacent to the custody building.
Among these seventeen teen-agers, a boy immediately attracted the attention of the Juvenile Board personnel and psychiatrists. They found that this boy generally didn't indulge in small talks, didn't use abusive or cuss words, and never displayed any abnormal sexual habits prevalent among the drug-abusers. They also found that this boy belonged to an educated family, had a fairly good academic record, and had started taking drugs in school. When he became an addict, he committed crimes like chain-snatching, pick-pocketing, drug-peddling and other crimes to get money for drugs. This boy left his home due to drug-addiction.
Experienced Juvenile Board personnel and the psychiatrists associated with the Motivation Hall started giving special attention to that particular teen-ager. All those eighteen boys had to follow back-breaking routine in the Motivation Hall and Training Centre. This was done intentionally to bring them out of their addiction.
Their days started at 5.30 a.m in every season, winter or summer. After ablutions, they started their day with Yoga. They had to attend academic classes, motivational lectures and were given extensive and intense vocational training. In the afternoon, they had to participate in outdoor sports activities. At night, they had to complete their lessons and homework. After dinner, these teen-agers were given one hour recreational break (under observation). They had to go to bed strictly by 10.30 p.m. These boys slept at separate bed and were not allowed to sleep together.
That particular boy showed remarkable progress in almost every aspect of training and education at the Motivation Hall and Training Centre. During the recreational break at night, he used to play chess. Most importantly, this boy displayed exceptional leadership qualities.
He came out completely of his addiction problem. Not only that, he helped others to get rid of their addiction. Within one year, this remarkable boy came back to normal life. Furthermore, he helped the authorities to identify the drug-peddlers who were destroying life of many students like him in his school.
But he never forgot the Motivation Hall and Training Centre which had reformed him. He later gave very useful guidance to many addicts like him in that Hall and Centre.
After establishing himself in life, this remarkable teen-ager (now in his prime youth) presently runs the Motivation Hall and Training Centre and is instrumental to bring back many addicts to the real life.
(Based upon a true incident which the present author came to know during his past association with an NGO working with addicts.)
[Competition entry: Photo-based Creative Writing Story contest]
