We have been supporting enrollment of children from economically weaker section into public schools under the Delhi Government and RTE clause. The hard work was done by people from Pardarshita while we supported it financially. This project was started in 2005 and 8 years down the road it feels good to know that those children are still going to school as most of these children live in urban slums and resettlement colonies. One of the major hurdle is of course how to keep the children motivated. Most of the public schools do not enough attention to children and these kids are handicapped by the fact that they most often first-time learners. So the idea of tuition centers took root and this year the first tuition center was started. It is still in fledgling stage though one of the parent is very happy-his restless child for the first time is taking an interest in school books. We have a teacher who has been trained by District Institute for Education and Training (DIET), a government venture to train teachers. We are keeping our fingers crossed and hope that we will see good results.
To get to Dilshad Garden from JNU was a two hour journey. It was mostly enjoyable except for one glitch- I took the gramin seva from JNU to Chattarpur metro station. A big mistake. Gramin Seva are okay to travel between Munirka and JNU or JNU and B-block market in Vasant Kunj. Anything beyond that is a risky business as the infrastructure is minimal and one ends up with an aching back. The metro itself was good and afforded me a chance to hear bits and pieces of conversations. As most were college kids, they were either discussing CAT exams or their board exams and the forthcoming semester exams. The girls were fully made up making me realize that times have indeed changed. I also finally understood, both literally and metaphorically, ugliness of Indian men. I was told by my cousin to read the book "The Ugliness of Indian Men" by Mukul Kesavan. Today I got to see and hear it. The coordinator of Pardarshita is a trained lawyer and works as Judge at the Children's court. She told me horrific stories of rape and sodomy. I am still trying to digest all that I have heard.
The children living in these resettlement and slums continue to be at risk- both boys and girls. The only way out for many of them is education and I really hope that the children whom we got enrolled get to make a better life for themselves and their families.
To get to Dilshad Garden from JNU was a two hour journey. It was mostly enjoyable except for one glitch- I took the gramin seva from JNU to Chattarpur metro station. A big mistake. Gramin Seva are okay to travel between Munirka and JNU or JNU and B-block market in Vasant Kunj. Anything beyond that is a risky business as the infrastructure is minimal and one ends up with an aching back. The metro itself was good and afforded me a chance to hear bits and pieces of conversations. As most were college kids, they were either discussing CAT exams or their board exams and the forthcoming semester exams. The girls were fully made up making me realize that times have indeed changed. I also finally understood, both literally and metaphorically, ugliness of Indian men. I was told by my cousin to read the book "The Ugliness of Indian Men" by Mukul Kesavan. Today I got to see and hear it. The coordinator of Pardarshita is a trained lawyer and works as Judge at the Children's court. She told me horrific stories of rape and sodomy. I am still trying to digest all that I have heard.
The children living in these resettlement and slums continue to be at risk- both boys and girls. The only way out for many of them is education and I really hope that the children whom we got enrolled get to make a better life for themselves and their families.
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