In the realm
of darkness, in the midst of poverty, unemployment and surrounding with
illiteracy is the area which is Sonebhadra district. In the modern scenario,
where for growth and infrastructure government does expenditure for progress
and prosperity of our country. In spite of progress and economical growth of
our country we can behold that there are a few places which is decline in
agriculture. The soil is not so futile that they depend on agriculture.
Consequently, both men and women workers move out to work as hand like power
sector plants. There has been growing use of contract labour in the industries
which we can say employment without fulfilling needs.
Visualising all the circumstances,
problems, and finding the path to come over it, one visionary man takes a stand
to transform the situation from worst to good. A man with versatile personality
born with vision to change the picture of illiteracy that it can’t make even a shadow. An IITian and moreover an
altruist take an agile revolution of removing illiteracy. His endeavours
towards welfare of the society started fructify since from his childhood.
Taking vision
for welfare for the tribal area he joined NTPC, where he germinated the grain
of education. He toiled so much to bring persuasion in people to make them
understand about value of education. For these poor, tribal communities for
underprivileged children, he started NGO’s name Navodaya Mission Trust and
Navodaya Development and Research Society. With accompanying with his friends,
these NGO’s become the light in the area where people were living in darkness.
Where Sun rises daily, but light can’t be seen.
First he
started to teach under the trees with a few children. Subsequently in masses
children started to taking benefit by his NGOs.
In the present scenario, where his work has been conducting we can
easily see the word of illiteracy is evaporating. Due to his efforts,
labourers’ children are passing polytechnic examinations, Navodaya Vidyalaya
Entrance Examination and many other Government jobs. His pursuit and thirst for
the education for the poor people is really praiseworthy. He is just like sun
and giving light in the midst darkness of illiteracy. He makes seed and fertile
soil that they received enough sunlight, air, water to grow and that can give
fruits.
Just like
potter gives the shape of soil, just like doctor who treat and saves life, he
makes vessels of virtue, treats and make them cultivate with culmination of
culture and civilization. The girls of these areas were thirst for the
knowledge but they were unable to accompany and unable to fulfil their desire
only they were wishing to bring change in their dry soul with sunken eyes, and
anaemic figures. For his efforts in these areas girls and boys started taking
education. Now they are no more begging for the need of their parents. Slowly
and slowly they developed the art of living, how to live in hygiene, wearing
neat and clean clothes and cultivated cleanliness surrounding with proper
sanitation. The child marriage of these areas also decreased due to efforts of
him. Child marriage is more common in poor communities. They are marrying their
daughters to reduce their economic burden. But now they understood that they
had been doing wrong with their daughters. Parents of these underprivileged
children are able to understand the value of education. Really, the zeal of
Shanta Kumar, who basically belongs to Latraha, a backward village of Darbhanga
District of Bihar and went IIT Bombay for studying engineering, to awaken the
boys and girls is really praiseworthy.
He is
uplifting downtrodden masses and working far away from media glare. Not only
this, he is a truly disciple of Vivekananda. He walks on the direction of him
that how reformation in society can be bring by the power of education. Because
he knows that socio-economic change can be brought about through education. In
the words of Vivekananda, “Education is the manifestation of the perfection
already in man”. He also manifests and modifies the society with dedication,
devotion and determination. Not only this, but he also spreads the value of
Gita in human to AHIMSA (no harmfulness) to ARJAWAM (straightforwardness).
Furthermore he knows that for bring active
mind how physical exercise is important. He started extra-curricular activities
and Yoga classes for the underprivileged children. For making students feel
rejuvenated and energized. For focus and concentration which is important for
children. He is lighting the lamp of education and eradicating the darkness of
illiteracy.
But as a
citizen it is our duty too we also have to
take a pledge that we tends to grow more and more visions for those who
are still living in the darkness.
(Written by Dr. Richa
Smriti, Director, Navodaya Development and Research Society)
