Learning centre solely for children of have-nots

Whoever oppresses the poor shows disdain and disapproval for the maker, but whoever is kind to the needy, honours the God. With this axiom in mind, philanthropist Romesh Mahajan started a school solely meant for children of beggars and slum dwellers.

In 2011, the Preliminary Education Centre (PEC) commenced operations from a tent in Ram Nagar locality where scores of shanties are located. On Day 1, just half-a-dozen children turned up. Three teachers — Manjit Kaur, Navneet Kaur and Ashu Attri — were hired. “On the first day, keeping in view the unkempt appearance of the kids, we had to give them hot water baths. They were uncouth, but willing to learn,” recalls Navneet.

Later, when a two-storied building was established in Maan Kaur village, another slum area nearby, the children slowly started coming in. For weeks, the PEC’s team tried convincing beggars to send their wards to read, write and recite. Success was not instant but the staff kept on working. Slowly, the parents understood the value of good education. Their defiance slowly gave way to reason and logic. Says Puran Singh, a parent, “We were told about the power of education. Earlier, we would wake up our children and ask them to beg, borrow or steal. Now, we wake them up because we want them to reach school on time.”

Times had changed, so did attitudes. Now, 75 students receive the benefits of education with holidays reserved for physical activities. The teachers recalled with pride the words of Benjamin Franklin: “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I will learn.” Hence, some extracurricular activities were started. Almost all children are anaemic when they come for the first time. This is the reason why doctors of the civil hospital are regularly roped in to counter this disease. Here, the saying that is drilled into the minds is — if you are born poor, it is not your mistake, but if you die poor, it is your mistake. The school timings are 10 am to 6 pm.

There are some kids who are bright enough to match the ability and capability of students of top-grade schools. Karan (13), Neha (17), Abhay (11), Poonam (16) and Sartaj (7) have fire in the belly. They are likely to make a name for themselves. Then there is Manvi (3), who is the cynosure of all eyes. “Everything you get from your students — the rolled eyes, the excitement, the big smiles — is feedback on your performance. And these are the things that keep me going,” says teacher Manjit Kaur.

Romesh Mahajan spends money from his pocket to make sure his wards have a decent future. He built the new building after spending Rs 40 lakh. He also pays for salaries of the staff, sports activities, uniforms and electricity bills.

The PEC has many benefactors. Gurdaspur District and Sessions Judge Rajinder Aggarwal and his wife Reena Aggarwal are regular visitors. The couple has donated a library. Whenever they come, they come loaded with stationery items and fruits. The fact remains that the judge and his wife know only too well that what they are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean.

Former SSP Harish Dayama and his IAS officer wife Amrita Singh, too, showed an avid interest. The couple had developed an intimate relationship with the students, listening to their requirements and subsequently fulfilling them. On many occasions, they paid for their uniforms. The Dayamas often invited the children to their official residence. Their message was, “It does not matter if you are poor or rich. Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud, and then see the difference!”

“Indeed, there is no wealth like education and no poverty like ignorance,” opines teacher Ashu Attri. Whenever the visitors come, there ostensibly is a discussion on mendicancy.

Till the scourge of begging is rooted out, schools like the PEC will continue to sprout.

Punjab