‘Laughter is the best medicine’
We’ve ll heard that one before, but it becomes hard to smile and laugh about a chronic illness, or a debilitating disease, and definitely not when death stares you in the face. The story I bring to you today is about a man and his organisation who have made it their mission to help children smile inspite of their sickness.
We are into the 6th month of the #WATWB, a noble initiative where we try to spread cheer, kindness and happiness in a dog eat dog world.
This month our kind co-hosts are Simon Falk, Roshan Radhakrishnan, Inderpreet Uppal, Lynn Hallbrooks, Eric Lahti, and Mary J Giese. Please visit their blogs for more encouraging and uplifting stories on human kindness.
A month back, during a conversation with a fellow-blogger, Mr. Sushant Dhamecha, I was made aware of a certain clown in Bangalore, India, who has been assiduously dedicating himself to help sick children in various cities in India. The clown is Mr. Harish Bhuvan, who left his prestigious and lucrative job at IIT-B, following a childhood experience and a personal tragedy, and began his mission to spread smiles on the faces of the sick and ailing.

Harish and Nivendra with a happy child at a hospital. Photo Credits: Compassionate Clowns, FB Page
This is the link to the organisation’s FB Page and here is the link to a YouTube video of the clowns in action.
My fellow-blogger, Mr. Dhamecha had written a blogpost about this organisation’s noble endeavors, but since it was in Gujarati, he’s helpfully provided a translation in English, reproduced herein below. Here is the link to the original Gujarati text, should you want to read that instead.
The English translation is provided below –
An 8 Year old cute boy was admitted at St. John Hospital in Bangalore. He was suffering from a severe illness. Doctor told his parents to be patient as he may take 4 months to recover. His parents were ready to go through all the required treatment to make him recover faster. At the same time, a teenage boy came to know about the 8 year old and tried to meet him. And he thought, that the disease could be treated psychologically. He decided to make this little boy happy. As the admitted boy was very young, he thought to be a “Clown” and make some comic actions to make the boy laugh.
Finally on a Saturday he went to meet the 8 year old by dressing up like a clown. When he reached the hospital, the boy was sleeping on the bed with his mom. When he woke up, the “Clown” started singing funny rhymes and tried to make the kid laugh. But he didn’t succeed in this task. He didn’t lose hope though. Next Saturday again, he went to the hospital in the same clown dress. At that time, the boy recognized him and gave him a little smile. This time he carried some gifts as well.
This became a routine for 4 weeks and almost after 2 months, when the “Clown” went to the hospital to meet the boy, he was not in the bed. He had been happy and disappointed too, because he couldn’t met the boy for the last time. But suddenly, a boy came from behind, and held his hand. When he turned around to see, he saw that same little boy. He was healthy now. He asked gifts from the “Clown” because he would always carry some gifts, whenever he came to meet. The boy recovered in just two months!
This is a real incident. The teenage boy, who became a “Clown” is Harish Bhuvan. His Native place is Baroda, but he is living in Bangalore. He studied B.A in Psychology. After completion of his graduation, he started a job in Banglore. During that period, he had a girlfriend. Both were enjoying their life, and had planned on marrying. Their parents were also in favor of their marriage. But suddenly his girlfriend came to learn that she had blood cancer. She told Harish that her cancer was at the last stage and she may survive only six months. So Harish left his job and decided to spend all his time with his girlfriend, and try to make her happy and fulfill all her wishes. But at last she died due to cancer. Harish couldn’t control himself and went into depression. During this period, his parents tried their best to convince him, but they failed at it. At the time, he was working with the prestigious IIT-Bombay.
Once he visited St. John Hospital, Bangalore along with his friend, he came to know about the boy, who we have described above.
By succeeding in spreading smiles on the faces of a little kid, he came out of his depression and applied himself to this noble cause. He wished to spread smiles on the faces of the ailing. As a psychology student, he knew very well, that happiness can reduce the pain. He took the permission of Hospital authority to come every weekend to spread a smile. He also encouraged college students to join this noble cause, and he got a very well response. Just in Bangalore, more than 200 teenage boys and girls are spreading smiles over the faces of kids by dressing up like “Clowns”. Harish left his job and planned to start an NGO named “Compassionate Clowns”. He gets huge support, both monetary and otherwise, for his NGO’s noble work.
His NGO now has branches in Jaipur, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. And he plans to spread the NGO in other cities in the near future. Anyone who wants to be a clown to spread a smile, is welcome to join.
He generally dresses in “Kurta-Pajamas” and wears a turban on his head. His turban (Paghdi) is made of Dupattas of girls (he admits and even challenges, that he has a huge collection of Dupattas, far more than any girl in the audience)!
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Happy Weekend!
Copyright ©2017 Pradita Kapahi.
All rights reserved.
Image Credits: Compassionate Clowns
Thank u madam for spreading this great story on ur blog, so now it reaches to vast group of reader.
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Thank YOU for informing me about this NGO Sir. I’l look forward to when Compassionate Clowns makes an appearance in Pune or opens a center here 🙂
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My tears came out after reading this story! really this story gives inspiration to those who easily loss their hope and patience just because of single incident .
hats off to this man! thanks for sharing such a beautiful story
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Thank you for reading Shubhankar. The real credit goes to Mr. Dhamecha for introducing me to the organization. They’re doing a very noble thing.
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🙏🙏respect !
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😊😊
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God bless such selfless samritans. 🙏 Thanks a lot Pradita for sharing such an inspiring story.
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Thank you for reading Ma’am. The credit actually goes to Mr. Dhanecha for having introduced me to this organization. I hope they come to Pune so I can be a clown too.
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*Samaritans
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Kudos to this man’s honest efforts. Little thinga do make a lot of difference. And to you for bringing this story to us.
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To Mr. Dhamecha actually who brought it to my notice. Thanks so much for reading and appreciating thus effort of his. Have a great day 😊 😊
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Yes, to Mr. Dhamecha. You too. 🙂
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Thanks gurl 😉 😀
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Always, love.
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Awwwwww 🤗
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Superb post, thank you for sharing this heartwarming story.
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You’re most welcome Dahlia. The credit goes to Mr Dhamecha for telling me about this. Great initiative this is indeed.
P. S. I’ll reply to toe email tonight. Sorry about the delay 🙏😊
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Relax! No rush😊🥂
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😁 thanks 😊
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Wow, it’s great to know such wonderful human beings exist in this world. Really heart warming… Thanks for sharing pradita.
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You’re most welcome Deepika. Actually it was Mr Dhamecha who told me about this organization. I’m glad he shared this or even i would have never known such people exist who could give it all up just to help others. Thanks for reading again 😊
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I may not be a clown (I don’t have the personality to pull that off) but as a magician who has performed in hospitals and home of the aged, I can relate. Just seeing the people smile is enough of a reward for me.
Btw, for some reason, I have “unfollowed” your blog. This happened to me a few times already on other blogs. It seems that this is a persistent WordPress bug…
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About the latter, no issues. I’ve had the same issue several times too.
About the corner though, OMG… Would you like to share your expended with the #WATWB family?
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Hi Pradita – what a delightful story with such positive outcomes after their sad beginnings – losing your girlfriend to cancer … but being able tohelp others and beat your own depression. Loved reading about them and Mr Dhamecha has certainly led you to inspirational people … cheers Hilary
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Thanks a lot Hilary for reading and sharing the sentiment. I can’t imagine what pain he must have gone through. And as you rightly put it, to help others overcome pain when you have suffered from it, only a truly great person can do it. I wish him well for the future. Thanks again for coming here 😊
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There are noble souls far different from politicians.
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That is very very true. I don’t know who you are, your name doesnt show here, but I agree Politicians are a species unto themselves.
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Pradita, thank you for this extraordinary story. Harish Bhuvan is a hero in every sense of the word. Only one who has experienced such sadness can know of the pain of others. This he used to such effect on the young 8 year old boy – and more kudos and respect that his initiative has spread –
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Wow, what a heartwarming story! Thank you so much for sharing this and for being part of #WATWB! 🙂
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Thank you for reading and commenting on this man’s efforts Belinda. It really is a moving story. Thanks for coming here 😊 😊
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Melts my heart🌻🌻💛💛 what a beautiful story… Just loved it. Thank you for sharing…
Cheers, Charu
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Thank you so much for reading and appreciating this man’s efforts. 😊😊😊
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My pleasure ☺️
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Thanks for writing about Harish and we need more people like him who despite losing someone dear is making a huge difference to the world. It’s the spreading of smiles and love that we need to make a difference. Loads of love to ya, Pradita.
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Thanks a lot for reading and appreciating Vishal. Yes we indeed more people like him who can spread the light in a dark world
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I salute Mr. Harish Bhuvan and all the others who are bringing smiles to these childrens’ faces. The world needs more of these angels!
This is a wonderful story!
Thank you for sharing.
Writer In Transit
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Thank you for coming here and appreciating his work Michelle. Yes, the world does need more like him who could help others smile. God bless him and the children he’s helping out 😊
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You are such a great writer, Pradita! 🙂
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Why, thanks a lot Hussein. Much appreciated 🙂
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Thats because of the way of your writing, organised properly and the message exists there!😊
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‘m grinning from ear to ear 🙂
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Most welcome 😊
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I made it to Pradita Chronicles WATWB August! Am I glad. You bet. This is a most touching story. Am lost for words. Thanks for sharing 🙂 Simon’s Still Stanza #WATWB
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Thanks a lot Simon. I’m glad you liked this story so much. It touched me too. Most inspiring
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It was delightful to see so many happy faces on the young men and women who become the “compassionate clowns” as well as their younger charges. Thank you for sharing and for being a part of #WATWB
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Thanks a lot Lynn. YEs, there was something so satisfying in just reading about this man and his team’s efforts, that I felt I should mention this in WATWB. Sorry about the late reply. Your comment wa sin my spam folder, God knows why. Thanks again for coming here 🙂
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Spreading cheer and happiness for the sick children, such a sweet gesture. God bless, we need more people like him. Clowning is serious business.
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It is indeed! Thank you for coming here and appreciating his efforts Inderpreet! 🙂
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Thank you 🙂 I pray that Pune Clowning begins at the earliest 🙂
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Thank you in return for coming to my blog and appreciate their work. I hope it starts in Pune too 🙂
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Hey Pradita, I’m really touched by the way this blog is written, thanks to the original writer too and really grateful to all those who have read this blog and shared the comments; it has given me immense courage to keep pursuing what I’m doing! Let’s disccus about start a new episode in Pune! I’m in Pune tomorrow. I hope you read this on time.
With love, laughter and Compassion,
Harish Bhuvan
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Hi Harish. I must say this has come as a surprise to me. I never thought word would reach you about what Me and Mr. Dhamecha have written about your efforts.
I must also congratulate you on your excellent initiative. You are already inspiring people to be better for others. I hope you keep inspiring and your organisation keeps growing.
So you are in Pune? That’s great! Could we discuss about your Pune Chapter over the phone, because meeting looks a little difficult on my end. I have a few appointments to keep today which will keep me engaged till the evening. So if you’re alright with a phone call, please email me at praditakapahi@gmail.com.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Regards
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