Expressions! @ Silvassa
Education! Education is the path to enlightenment. Enlightenment shows you path ahead in life.It is so easy for us city folks to receive education, be it through school, coaching classes, television and other media. But we never realise that it’s easy because it’s at stretch of an arms distance from you, or a 2km car ride in air-conditioning. Imagine walking bare feet for 10kms in scorching heat, carrying your backpack which has no padding, sometimes a single strap, no paved roads and yes...no air-conditioning.How many of us would go through so much just to be at school to learn? Not me!
Coming from the grass root economical background with a hunger for education these kids do the above exercise every single day to reach their school and back. These are the brave and inspired kids of Silvassa and their temple is Vasundhara Vidyapeth,Parjai.This institution started by Mr. Dasharath Mahala of Parjai is a symbol of hope for the people who are not lucky enough to receive education easily.
Starting 4 years back Mr. Dasharath has built this school with a hope of uplifting the future of the less fortunate tribal kids in his locality. And yes! He has done well all because of his un-paralleled commitment to the task. We got to know about Mr. Dasharath’s efforts through a reliable source and decided to give it a try. And here we were in Silvassa in the month of March scouting through the school premises and getting to know more about the school and Mr. Dasharath himself. The second visit though planned over a gap of few months was more organised. This time we had a better built up of resources leading to the event date and the stock of accessories, stationary and clothing was huge. Commendable efforts by every single person.
Next step was to interact with the kids. We conducted numerous activities of dancing, playing, drawing, poetry recital and singing with the kids. What we saw during those activities was something beautiful. The joy in those eyes. The energy in those kids! The way they responded to even the most stupid dance we performed over there. It was a huge positive for us. And we learned, a kid, be it a tribes child or a suits child, they have the equal ambition and strength to outgrow anyone in the world. All they need is proper nourishment at the tender age and they will bloom to become a huge tree providing shade to their not so fortunate people.
The visit ended with giving away of clothes to the needy. They were helped to choose whichever clothing they preferred for themselves and their family. And we took their leave. We will help Mr. Dasharath with all our strengths to continue help grow this beautiful seed he has planted. God speed!
