Last summer, on July 10, 2012, I visited two one-teacher schools run by Ekal Vidyalaya -- an international non-profit organization -- in the villages of Gandharpara and Boyermari near Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
As an Ekal Vidyalaya Youth Coordinator in the United States, I have made speeches about the cause at Indian community events in New England and I have organized a Walk for Literacy for New England families to get together and raise awareness about this noble cause. Although I have heard so much over the years about how Ekal brings one-teacher schools and self-sufficiency to rural Indian villages, visiting the schools in Boyermari and Gandharpara has had a life-changing impact on me and has driven me to work harder to bring such an education to more villages like the ones I visited across India.
As we drove into the village of Boyermari, the women of the village welcomed us by playing the 'shankh,' a musical instrument, and showered us with flowers. I walked into the school, and was introduced to the students of the school. The children welcomed us most graciously with an 'aarti,' prayer, and told me their names, grade level, how long they have been attending and how regularly they attend school.
They touched my heart most deeply with the beautiful poems and prayers they shared with me. I watched my new friends solve multiplication problems, and write their names in both Bengali and English. Although I cannot speak Bengali, I felt that in the hour or so that I spent at the school, a bond so strong – surpassing all language barriers – had formed between me and all the students that I did not want to leave their school at all. And so after some heartfelt good-byes and eating 'mithai,' or sweets, together, I promised my new friends that I will return to visit them on my next trip to India – ‘Aabaar aashbo’ in Bengali.
The next leg of my trip was at the Gandharpara school. I was overwhelmed by the love and hospitality that everyone in the village gave me. They brought some 'daab' for me to drink, fresh out of a coconut! A few of the schoolboys performed the Surya Namaskar prayer, and a little girl performed songs and poems from school, for us. A couple students wrote their names in Bengali and English, and others told me what they know about India! They even knew who Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is! As the students danced, sang, and wrote, I watched in fascination the plethora of talent that all the students of the school possessed. A few of the girls from the neighborhood took me for a walk, and showed me around Gandharpara. They told me about their siblings and families, their home, the subjects they study in school, and their future plans. I told them about my school’s timings, the subjects I study, my family and my hobbies. I am grateful to have found such dear friends in Gandharpara and I cannot express how thankful I am to them for making my visit there all the more special.
After my visit to the schools, we enjoyed a splendid homemade lunch. The hospitality and love that our wonderful hosts prepared and served us lunch with made it the most memorable meal I have ever had.
In the time I spent with them, I saw the etiquette and the knowledge that so many of my brothers and sisters in Boyermari and Gandharpara had worked hard to gain, despite having minimal resources. They motivated me to work harder towards my own education, inspiring me with their perseverance.
Some of them even shared their future hopes and aspirations with me! One boy wanted to be an engineer, another girl a doctor. Yet another student dreamed of being a teacher, following in the legacy of Ekal Vidyalaya. I know that with the support of their teacher, their parents, and most importantly their own inner drive to study, each one of their dreams will definitely become a reality.
I can say this confidently because I have felt the profound impact that the Ekal Vidyalaya students of Boyermari and Gandharpara have had on me: in the hour or so that I was with them, they not only made me more determined to persevere in my own academic career, but motivated me to step up my efforts in bringing an education to other Indian children. It is my duty to do everything I can to bring the opportunities that I take for granted to my brothers and sisters in India who have just as much right to an education as I do.
I know that my visit to Boyermari and Gandharpara, the new friendships I made, and the lessons I learned, have helped me discover new motivation to persevere both in my education and my work for this noble cause, which I know I will dedicate myself to for as I long as I live.
As an Ekal Vidyalaya Youth Coordinator in the United States, I have made speeches about the cause at Indian community events in New England and I have organized a Walk for Literacy for New England families to get together and raise awareness about this noble cause. Although I have heard so much over the years about how Ekal brings one-teacher schools and self-sufficiency to rural Indian villages, visiting the schools in Boyermari and Gandharpara has had a life-changing impact on me and has driven me to work harder to bring such an education to more villages like the ones I visited across India.
As we drove into the village of Boyermari, the women of the village welcomed us by playing the 'shankh,' a musical instrument, and showered us with flowers. I walked into the school, and was introduced to the students of the school. The children welcomed us most graciously with an 'aarti,' prayer, and told me their names, grade level, how long they have been attending and how regularly they attend school.
They touched my heart most deeply with the beautiful poems and prayers they shared with me. I watched my new friends solve multiplication problems, and write their names in both Bengali and English. Although I cannot speak Bengali, I felt that in the hour or so that I spent at the school, a bond so strong – surpassing all language barriers – had formed between me and all the students that I did not want to leave their school at all. And so after some heartfelt good-byes and eating 'mithai,' or sweets, together, I promised my new friends that I will return to visit them on my next trip to India – ‘Aabaar aashbo’ in Bengali.
The next leg of my trip was at the Gandharpara school. I was overwhelmed by the love and hospitality that everyone in the village gave me. They brought some 'daab' for me to drink, fresh out of a coconut! A few of the schoolboys performed the Surya Namaskar prayer, and a little girl performed songs and poems from school, for us. A couple students wrote their names in Bengali and English, and others told me what they know about India! They even knew who Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is! As the students danced, sang, and wrote, I watched in fascination the plethora of talent that all the students of the school possessed. A few of the girls from the neighborhood took me for a walk, and showed me around Gandharpara. They told me about their siblings and families, their home, the subjects they study in school, and their future plans. I told them about my school’s timings, the subjects I study, my family and my hobbies. I am grateful to have found such dear friends in Gandharpara and I cannot express how thankful I am to them for making my visit there all the more special.
After my visit to the schools, we enjoyed a splendid homemade lunch. The hospitality and love that our wonderful hosts prepared and served us lunch with made it the most memorable meal I have ever had.
In the time I spent with them, I saw the etiquette and the knowledge that so many of my brothers and sisters in Boyermari and Gandharpara had worked hard to gain, despite having minimal resources. They motivated me to work harder towards my own education, inspiring me with their perseverance.
Some of them even shared their future hopes and aspirations with me! One boy wanted to be an engineer, another girl a doctor. Yet another student dreamed of being a teacher, following in the legacy of Ekal Vidyalaya. I know that with the support of their teacher, their parents, and most importantly their own inner drive to study, each one of their dreams will definitely become a reality.
I can say this confidently because I have felt the profound impact that the Ekal Vidyalaya students of Boyermari and Gandharpara have had on me: in the hour or so that I was with them, they not only made me more determined to persevere in my own academic career, but motivated me to step up my efforts in bringing an education to other Indian children. It is my duty to do everything I can to bring the opportunities that I take for granted to my brothers and sisters in India who have just as much right to an education as I do.
I know that my visit to Boyermari and Gandharpara, the new friendships I made, and the lessons I learned, have helped me discover new motivation to persevere both in my education and my work for this noble cause, which I know I will dedicate myself to for as I long as I live.
Post a Comment
Be the first to comment on this article!