Mumbai | There are people who live on the edge of life with the title destitute, those who are neglected, without anyone and no one wants. Who but humans can provide shelter to the helpless on earth? Giving them food and shelter is the greatest act of virtue that a human being can do. Not many people have this realization. But there is one institution that sets a great model of service through such pious work, SEAL Ashram in Panvel, Mumbai.

Comforted by love

One must visit SEAL Ashram to realize what life is all about. From the infants to those suffering from the infirmities of old age, seek refuge under the SEAL's roof. The inmates of SEAL Ashram tell the stories of such people as we wish not to become in human life. SEAL Ashram takes them hand in hand to a new life by soothing their sufferings and sorrows with love. Seal Ashram was started in Mumbra in 1999. In ashram there is nothing but love.
SEAL (Social & Evangelical Association for Love). The function of the SEAL is to make this name come true. This is where love heals wounds and restores life. Pastor Philip, who is a Malayali, is the personification of mercy in SEAL, who shelters the helpless. Pastor Philip brings those who have been thrown out to the streets to the ashram and gives them back their lives.

Beginning in a rented room

Philip came to Mumbai to visit his brother years ago. At that time, a nine-month-old baby boy was found abandoned on the street. It was decided that we can give it to any orphanage. As the baby was infected with HIV, no one was willing to take care of the kid. It is in this situation that the idea of a place to give refuge to such people comes to mind. So he rented a room and prepared to take care of the child. The only capital was a rented room and two mats. This was the beginning of SEAL Ashram. Today, the SEAL is carrying out an activity close to the chest of a biblical word, "Be a voice to the voiceless, an ear to the deaf, a hand to the handless, a foot to the footless". There are hundreds of people who love SEAL today. SEAL was able to help others even during covid.

About 500 people were brought back to their homes

SEAL Ashram currently has 253 inmates. The nine-month-old baby, who became instrumental to start the ashram, grew up now to become a great artist. Women, men, children, mentally retarded, orphans, sick, mentally challenged etc. all come under the patronage of the SEAL. The ashram is situated on thirteen acres. 
Pastor Biju Samuel, followed by Sister Jainamma joined to assist Pastor Philip to lead the activities and the activities were further expanded. 

People from most states of India are there in SEAL Ashram. The ashram is a refuge for those who have left the home town and come to the big city, and those who have been abandoned by their relatives. SEAL's mission is to bring as many people as possible to a new life. Not only does it provide shelter, but it also works to bring the inmates back to the people they need. Pastor Philip says that they managed to bring about 500 people back to the safety of their homes. All activities are without monetary benefit.

Street lives should be rehabilitated

Education, food, clothing, medicine, medical treatment and surgery are all huge expenses for internee children. Pastor Philip and his team say that the money for this will come through the grace of God. Locals and others who stayed away in the initial phase are now partners of SEAL Ashram. People including Malayalees are visiting the ashram and extending helping hands. Policemen and social workers bring people who are stranded on the streets to the ashram. But the Ashram doesn’t receive any help from the government, still the ashram goes on, without much difficulty. Pastor Philip has a dream!! The destitute should be taken to the Ashram, given treatment and then handed over to their relatives.

"Most of them come to SEAL in a condition that they can't even eat themselves. Such people will be ministered their psychological and physical ailments, and helped to reunite them with their family.

SEAL needs such people, because words cannot express the joy that comes when they are cured and sent to their homes. That is the mission of SEAL", says Pastor Philip.

So many experiences

According to the NCRB report, about 7 lakh people go missing in India every year. But according to Pastor Philip, it will be at least twice as much, for only 50 percent of people report missing persons. The other half do not complain for various reasons. There is no mechanism in the country to trace the missing persons. If you get their data, you can do a lot. This is what the government should focus on.

I have witnessed many experiences in life. Years ago, a father in Kochi's Vyatila was lying on his sickbed and told that his missing son Charlie would return. Charlie was there in the SEAL. But by the time Charlie reunited with family, his father was dead. That father had other children. Theirs was a very rich family. Still the father was in pain about his missing son. The situation will change if efforts at the government level to collect accurate information about missing persons, says Pastor Philip.

One more question on census

India's next census will be held this year. There are thirty one questions included in the census. According to Pastor Philip, one more thing should be included as the thirty-second question, is there someone missing from your home? The SEAL Ashram is preparing to submit a petition to the central government and the court by raising this demand. In that case, the data of the missing persons can be collected comprehensively. They can also be brought back to their homes. SEAL continues its journey with the great goal of RESCUNITE (Rescue and reunite) rescue more and more destitute and missing people from the street, treat them and reunite them back their family.

SEAL Ashram, Vangani, Nere, New Panvel -410206

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