Annie with her family and Premila visited us at Pondicherry when Anna and I were getting ready to relocate in Kerala. They were the two out of the three who moved with us to Vellore from Chennai, when Ashirvad Child Development and Research Centre was incorporated into the Christian Medical College, Vellore to start the Developmental Paediatrics unit.
Annie was the first Psychologist at Ashirvad and was responsible for formulating a non-formal developmental appraisal by using play based observations to discover the assets and needs of children. She continued that at CMC and laid the foundation to unfold a way of neuro-developmental screening of children, which was most child friendly and observation based. Annie's counselling skills, sensitive involvement with 'disturbed' children suffering from post-traumatic stress and supporting the needs of the families became the 'standard' practices for us. She had an equally valuable contribution in upholding the ethos of Ashirvad, 'taking sides' and accompanied some children in their developmental journey. Some families telephone even now to recall this faithful contribution to their lives. Annie has made wise choices as a woman, wife and mother. Her decision to step back a little professionally to be available for her school going children, speak a lot about her choice to offer premium value to holistic family life.
Premila managed the office of Ashirvad at Chennai as a friendly, efficient and caring person, whose courtesies towards children and families have been proverbial. She established a personal rapport with many families because of her sensitivity to understand and recognise the needs of children. It was she who guided the professionals at Ashirvad to be 'family centric' in our approach. Her meticulous attention to details of office up keep helped us to have dependable records of children for neuro-developmental follow up. Premila took interest in making the ambience of work easy, comfortable and relational. Her pleasant manners and thoughtful enquiries about the well being of every member of the team, have been the main stay for Ashirvad to pursue its diverse child development activities. Premila continues with even more commitment at the Developmental Paediatrics Unit at the Christian Medical College, since 1997. In fact Premila keeps enquiring of our well being with a sensitivity which moves us often.
There are some people who become part of our families by virtue of a natural sense of belonging. Annie and Premila are two such friends with whom we have an ongoing growing friendship. They have done a lot in supporting us during our transitions and offering their friendship to Arpit and Anandit when they were growing up. We are glad that they have been with us in our journey of life and our professional expression.
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