Barauni railway station in Bihar is witness to a
noble initiative. Ajit Kumar and his wife Shabnam take care of orphans
at the platforms, and provide them education and home-cooked meals. And
their efforts have now inspired railway authorities too, to support
their cause.
"If government implements Right to Education and Right to Food properly then no orphan kids will be spoiled," Ajit Kumar said.
While Ajit, a government teacher, teaches the children most of
the subjects, his wife Shabnab cooks and feeds them. She also doubles up
as their Hindi teacher.
"My husband teaches orphan kids and I help him by cooking food for these kids and teaching them," Shabnam said.
"Masterjee teaches us at the railway station and I want to grow up and become doctor," orphan girl Masina said.
"Earlier I use to steal money but now I want to study," orphan kid Noor Alam said.
So why would Kumar devote his life to these kids? The answer - he
himself grew up on Barauni railway station platform helping his father
sell tea. He grew up seeing these children surviving on alms and eating
leftovers. The moment he got a government job, he knew what he had to
do.
"I have spent my childhood on railway platform. My father was a
tea stall owner & I used to assist him. I had a wish to be a
teacher, which I have fulfilled," Kumar said.
His make shift open air-class room started functioning at the
platform. Initially railway and police authorities opposed his class
room but later when they saw children benefitting from this initiative,
they started supporting this cause.
But for Kumar, the biggest challenge is keeping these kids away from being addicted to drugs, gutka or cigarettes.
source:CNN IBN LIVE
No comments:
Post a Comment