As a son of a wagon loader in Coal India Limited, Dev has seen deprivation from close quarters. Given the limited resources, Dev’s parents could only afford a Hindi medium school for their children. But no limitations, no deprivation could stop Dev from dreaming high.
No matter through what medium, Dev enjoyed every aspect of education and widened his horizons beyond books and classes. His class mates loved him, some hated him; but as the old adage goes no one could ignore him. He soon became leader of his small mohalla bacchha party with some ardent followers. And as they say, for some age is just a number; at a very early age of 10, Dev risked his life to save a drowning friend in backwaters near his house. His neighbour reminiscences. “When I asked him why did you jump in water?” Dev replied, “The boy needed help.”
See. Instead of adding heroic tone and saying I jumped to save boy’s life, Dev chooses simplicity and authenticity and says- “The boy needed help.”
Right from his childhood, Dev knew he had a purpose. He knew he had a calling to help. Like all of this tribe–the compassionate ones– little Dev too, soon realised that this world runs in certain order. At some places, certain things are not in order. And to correct them, he needs to first SET THE ORDER RIGHT.
Representational image: morethancoal.com does not own this image
He soon realised he needs to earn before he could go ahead on his dream of making this world a better place for all. School ended. Graduation ended. Post-graduation ended. Job started. But things were not picking up as expected.
After spending initial few years at CIL Headquarters, Dev made a decision. Decision to go back to his home town Dhanbad. He had a plan. Plan to impact lives. He started a school for downtrodden. He started an English medium school- ‘Pathshaala’. The school is based in Katras.
Like everywhere, at Katras too, one’s affordability determined if their children would go to an English medium school. Today, scenerio has changed. English Medium School has nothing to do with affordability at Katras. Because there, they have ‘Pathshala’ which imparts free education to all. Dev nurtures Pathshala from his salaried income. His wife supports him to the hilt in his endeavour. More than 30 students have enrolled in Pathshaala as of now. For rest, I will let this picture do all the talking..
But there is yet another space in which Dev’s Paathshala makes its mark. Pathshaala is doing tremendous job in making little ones ready for life. At times, the society seem to be strangely obsessed with English. Those who are not in know are labelled illiterate instead of educated. Likewise, our society is also highly obsessed with Speaking. Those who do not have gift of gab are considered incompetent instead of introvert. While the former is being taken care by school’s medium of study, the latter is something where Dev’s understanding of the world is proving to be gem for children.
“I tell children to speak. Speak whatever but speak.” says Dev. This aspect of Paathshala sets it apart. Here, children are conditioned to speak everything they feel like voicing. This is one area that interests any one coming across the Pathshala’s pedagogy. Pathshala, in wonderful ways, is making a positive dent in the society.
We need more ‘Paathshala’- for education, for being mass-conditioned to speak.
Great read.
Take a bow man. Dev, you are good.
Good sure. But what so much in language? Shouldn’t we teach children to be comfortable with their imperfections instead of telling them them to be someone they are not.
Dhruv, here at Paathshala, children are being taught to ‘Earn a living’. Teaching them ‘Living with imperfections’ might suit later.
I am floored. You are queen of words. Keep blessing the world with your words. Keep hating me. I will keep nagging you 🙂
Noble indeed. More power to the likes of Dev.
He is doing a greater good to the society.
This story once again screams BACKGROUND DOESN’T MATTER. YOUR WILL DOES.
Thank you very much Purvi for such great piece of writing