When I joined Lady Doak College way back in 1985, it never occurred to me that I would spend a good 35 years in her embrace (my first and last job that became my Calling). Reason: Never imagined I would continue working after marriage and children. Well … I did get married, and before I knew it, was well in the family way! It was then, and only then that I realized LDC had had a Creche on campus itself, way well before the idea, or concept of such a facility was even thought of in higher education institutions in India. LDC was, in my opinion, probably the only college in the 1960s, whose vision went far beyond the call of duty – that it took into consideration a working mother’s peace of mind – a two-way blessing without a doubt. That LDC was founded by the visionary-missionary, Ms. Katie Wilcox, and blessed with thinking, far-sighted Principals, may have been instrumental in the establishing of the Creche on its premises to enable and ensure her teachers give their best to the development of the college, resting in the knowledge that their precious little ones were well taken care of while they worked. For many years the LDC Creche had its arms open wide to include working mothers outside the institution as well. That women could go to work in peace knowing fully well that their little darlings were safe and well looked after by the loving, diligent women handpicked by the college, was truly such a big blessing. What a boon it was to families of those times when such a phenomenon as a Creche was unheard of in colleges! 

When we were blessed with our first son, the question of whether to continue working or not never cropped up, thanks to our Creche on Campus. That gave me (and others like myself), the opportunity to be with my baby son (babies) anytime I was free. I did not miss out on our baby son growing up, something I wasn’t willing to give up for anything in the world. The two dear women – Jayamma and Ramakka (Jaya and Ramalakshmi) – who were entrusted to take care of the children, worked, in tandem together tirelessly, creating an atmosphere of cheerful caring. The little ones Loved their Jayamma and Ramakka as much as they Doted on the children like they would their own. I for one can vouch for this shared love as I spent all my lunch hours, and some free hours too in the Creche, me being just another pair of helping hands. Oh, I’m sure you know how overwhelming lunch /feeding time for a bunch of kutties can get, even for two pairs of hands! At one such time, when both the helpers’ hands were full, one little dear suddenly awakened and let out a shrill hunger cry. So, I did the only thing any mother in my place would do – I breast fed the little darling. Of course, Jayamma and Ramakka were astounded, and I got worried wondering if it were wrong to nurse someone else’s hungry baby. For, to me, it was the most natural thing to do. 

Before our second son came along, four years later, the Creche was facing a shortage of users, and suggestions for its closure were in the offing. I remember meeting with the Principal, requesting that our creche on campus remains, by opening it once again to mothers working elsewhere. That time round, we had Lakshmiakka and Tamilakka, who also gave their all looking after the babies and children. The dear helpers we’ve had at our Creche on Campus (and, I’m sure, still have) have all been sincere, patient, kind and loving women, who deemed it their responsibility to take good care of the little ones entrusted to them. Lady Doak College has always, as far back as I remember, a set of checks and balances in place to ensure the smooth functioning of the Creche. Over the years, our little ones’ Paradise has come to be known by other names, but the fact that it continues to be an intrinsic and integral part of the ethos of my Lady Doak College, says it all.