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By:

Shoumojit Banerjee

27 August 2024 at 9:57:52 am

Classroom of Courage

In drought-scarred Maharashtra, a couple’s experiment in democratic schooling is turning child beggars into model citizens In the parched stretches of Maharashtra, from Solapur to the drought-hit villages of Marathwada, a modest social experiment has quietly unfolded for nearly two decades. It is neither a grand government scheme nor a corporate-backed charity. Since 2007, the Ajit Foundation, founded by Mahesh and Vinaya Nimbalkar, has worked with children living at the sharpest edges of...

Classroom of Courage

In drought-scarred Maharashtra, a couple’s experiment in democratic schooling is turning child beggars into model citizens In the parched stretches of Maharashtra, from Solapur to the drought-hit villages of Marathwada, a modest social experiment has quietly unfolded for nearly two decades. It is neither a grand government scheme nor a corporate-backed charity. Since 2007, the Ajit Foundation, founded by Mahesh and Vinaya Nimbalkar, has worked with children living at the sharpest edges of society in Maharashtra. The foundation has become a home for out-of-school children, those who have never enrolled, the children of migrant labourers and single parents, and those who scavenge at garbage dumps or drift between odd jobs. To call their foundation an “NGO” is to miss the point. Vinaya Nimbalkar describes it as a “democratic laboratory”, where education is not merely instruction but an initiation into citizenship. The couple were once government schoolteachers with the Solapur Zilla Parishad, leading stable lives. Yet what they witnessed unsettled them: children who had never held a pencil, begging at traffic signals or sorting refuse for a living. Prompted by this reality, the Nimbalkars resigned their jobs to work full-time for the education of such children. Leap of Faith They began modestly, teaching children in migrant settlements in Solapur and using their own salaries to pay small honorariums to activists. Funds soon ran dry, and volunteers drifted away. Forced out of their home because of their commitment to the cause, they started a one-room school where Vinaya, Mahesh, their infant son Srijan and forty children aged six to fourteen lived together as an unlikely family. The experiment later moved to Barshi in the Solapur district with support from Anandvan. Rural hardship, financial uncertainty and the pandemic repeatedly tested their resolve. At one stage, they assumed educational guardianship of nearly 200 children from families that survived by collecting scrap on the village outskirts. Eventually, the foundation relocated to Talegaon Dabhade near Pune, where it now runs a residential hostel. Twenty-five children currently live and study there. The numbers may seem modest, but the ambition is not. Democracy in Practice What distinguishes the Ajit Foundation is not only who it serves but also how it operates. Within its walls, democracy is practised through a Children’s Gram Panchayat and a miniature Municipal Council elected by the children themselves. Young candidates canvass, hold meetings and present their budgets. Children maintain accounts and share decisions about chores, activities and certain disciplinary matters. In a country where democratic culture is often reduced to voting, the foundation’s approach is quietly radical. It treats children from marginalised backgrounds as citizens in formation. The right to choose — whether to focus on sport, cooking, mathematics or cultural activities — is respected. “We try never to take away what is their own,” says Vinaya Nimbalkar. Rather than forcing every child into a uniform academic mould, individual abilities are encouraged. A boy skilled in daily calculations may not be pushed into hours of bookish study; a girl who excels in cooking may lead the kitchen team. For children who have known only precarity, standing for election, managing a budget or speaking at a meeting can be transformative. On International Women’s Day, the foundation seeks visibility not just for praise but for partnership. If you are inspired by their mission, consider supporting or collaborating—your involvement can help extend opportunities to more children in need.

Brilliant But Unrooted: The Dilemma of the Modern Generation

Society thrives when individuals are not only intelligent and ambitious but also grounded, compassionate, and culturally rooted.

In today’s fast-paced world, the younger generation stands out for its intelligence, efficiency, and adaptability. With instant access to information and a global outlook, they navigate challenges unimaginable to earlier generations. Yet, alongside these remarkable qualities, there exists a subtle but critical imbalance—a drift away from discipline, respect for elders, cultural values, and rootedness.


This is not a critique of intelligence or ambition, but a call for holistic development. While modern skills are essential, they cannot alone provide the fulfilment, moral grounding, and emotional resilience that come from strong familial and cultural bonds. 


Landscape of modern youth

Today’s generation has been shaped by unprecedented access to technology, rapid urbanisation, and global cultural currents. Social media and instant communication have reshaped how young people interact, learn, and view the world, sharpening their awareness of global issues and informing more strategic choices.


Yet this speed and exposure can also distance young people from slower, reflective, and value-driven ways of life. Oral traditions, rituals, and the wisdom once passed down by elders are increasingly overlooked, seen as outdated in a culture fixated on efficiency and instant gratification. 


Erosion of discipline and respect

Discipline—central to self-regulation and purposeful living—is increasingly undervalued. The pull of comfort and instant gratification has weakened patience, consistency, and the willingness to learn from mistakes, leaving even sharp intellects without the depth needed for mastery.


Equally concerning is the decline in respect for elders, once valued as custodians of wisdom and cultural continuity. In a fast-paced, internet-driven world, guidance can seem replaceable, weakening intergenerational bonds and often leaving elders marginalised within family life.


Cultural values and the loss of roots

Cultural values act as a moral compass, nurturing empathy, identity, and community. Rituals, language, and traditions connect individuals to shared heritage; when neglected, material success can coexist with an inner void, often expressed as restlessness, anxiety, or a search for meaning beyond achievement.


Family and emotional bonds

Family is the first school of life, instilling patience, empathy, and resilience. Yet in an age that glorifies independence and mobility, family often slips to the margins, reflected in shared meals giving way to screens and a quiet erosion of emotional connection.


Guiding the modern generation

Despite these challenges, holistic development—where intellect and modern skills coexist with discipline, respect, cultural grounding, and strong family ties—is both possible and deeply rewarding. The following strategies outline a path towards this balance.


Mentorship and Role Modelling - Exposure to mentors within the family and community can instill discipline, respect, and cultural continuity. Elders, community leaders, and spiritual guides model empathy, patience, and moral integrity through example.


Intentional cultural engagement- Participation in festivals, rituals, and storytelling should be encouraged, with emphasis on their origins and meaning. Schools and community organisations can support this through engaging heritage workshops that make culture accessible and relevant.


Structured reflection and mindfulness – Time for reflection, meditation, and mindfulness helps young people understand themselves and value relationships. Practices such as journaling, family discussions, and guided contemplation nurture emotional intelligence and self-discipline.


Intergenerational conversations – Creating spaces for intergenerational dialogue can be transformative. When elders share life lessons and younger people voice contemporary challenges, mutual respect and active listening help bridge generational divides.


Practical family bonding – Daily routines such as shared meals and family activities strengthen connection. When technology is treated as a tool rather than a barrier—through measures like screen-free hours—families can reclaim conversation and togetherness.


Ethics and values education – Alongside formal education, structured learning in ethics, values, and emotional intelligence can foster discipline, empathy, and respect, making values meaningful rather than merely obligatory.


Service and contribution - Volunteering and serving elders cultivate humility and gratitude, fostering empathy and reinforcing the value of mutual respect through firsthand experience.


Personal accountability – Encouraging personal responsibility—through routines, commitments, and care for family—builds discipline and reliability, the foundations of meaningful relationships.


Transformative power of love and respect – Ultimately, guiding the modern generation towards enlightenment means nurturing love and respect as lived values. By honouring elders, family, and cultural heritage, young people gain depth, resilience, and purpose—without losing modernity or independence.


The modern generation is intelligent, practical, and adaptable, yet without discipline, respect, and cultural grounding, these strengths remain incomplete. By nurturing family bonds, honouring elders, engaging with culture, and practising mindful, ethical living, young people can achieve a balanced life where modernity and tradition coexist harmoniously.


Society thrives when individuals are not only intelligent and ambitious but also grounded, compassionate, and culturally rooted. It is a shared responsibility—and opportunity—for elders, educators, and youth to carry forward a legacy of love, respect, and wisdom alongside practical brilliance.


(The writer is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)


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