Winter weather in Darjeeling, which is usually clear and sunny, provides ideal conditions for the construction work at the orphanage. Following the letting of the contract, and after the ceremonial first spade of earth was taken from the ground, the project management company took a few weeks to assemble its local workforce and make preparations for work to begin.
Excavations for the foundations started in earnest on January 10th. It has been a difficult process. The photos below show the steepness of the site and this in itself is a challenge. Earth which was excavated has had to be taken uphill in bags on the backs of porters. A surprising number of large boulders were encountered during excavation and these have had to be broken up by hand and the rock moved. It is hoped to use this stone elsewhere on the site. Nevertheless, despite these difficulties, holes have been dug and the first cement poured and the two first columns have been erected. As always it is important to observe the correct ceremonies and further blessings of the work have been carried out at appropriate times, this time by the junior monk who is deputy to Pema Bhante.
Ramesh, the site engineer, is in frequent contact with project architect Raghavan and he also calls in the structural engineer, whose last visit to the site was on 30th January, as and when necessary. Some of the photos show Ramesh at work and he has now pegged out all the buildings of both Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Darjeeling Children’s Trust has been recently received a grant of £1000 by the UK Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre towards the costs of the project and is currently making applications to other charitable foundations for grant aid. Fund raising in Darjeeling is also continuing and a donation of £5000 was made by visitors to the orphanage from Hong Kong.
Take a look at the photos below to keep up with progress!
