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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.

Demystifying Food Irradiation

Food Security with Nuclear and the Unreasoned Fear of Irradiated Food is an exceptionally well-crafted and timely contribution to contemporary discourse on food safety, public health, and the role of nuclear science in strengthening global food systems. The authors—bring together scientific clarity, historical depth, and policy insight to a subject long clouded by misconception and public apprehension.


One of the book’s most significant achievements is its ability to demystify food irradiation. Through lucid explanations and accessible scientific language, the authors separate fact from fear, clearly explaining the principles, safety, and proven utility of irradiation technology. Readers unfamiliar with the subject will find the text remarkably approachable, while specialists will appreciate its rigorous scientific grounding.


The book presents a comprehensive historical account of food irradiation, tracing its evolution from early experimental research to widespread global acceptance. This narrative is supported by clear explanations of what occurs within food when exposed to ionising radiation, drawing upon sound physics, chemistry, and well-documented real-world applications.


Valuable Feature

A particularly valuable feature is the comparative analysis of food preservation and sanitisation techniques. By placing irradiation alongside conventional methods such as thermal processing, fumigation, and chemical treatments, the authors provide a balanced and evidence-based perspective, highlighting where irradiation offers distinct advantages.


The section on regulatory frameworks is another major strength. Global standards and guidelines from Codex Alimentarius, WHO, FAO, IAEA, FDA, and the European Union are presented alongside policies from over sixty countries. This makes the book an indispensable reference for policymakers, regulators, industry professionals, and researchers. The Indian experience is documented with clarity and pride, highlighting the pioneering role of BARC, the commercial initiatives of BRIT, and India’s leadership in accelerator-based irradiation technologies.


The chapters dealing with detection technologies are particularly noteworthy. Techniques such as ESR, thermoluminescence, chemical markers, DNA-based methods, and advanced analytical tools are explained with depth and precision, while remaining accessible to practitioners. This is complemented by practical discussions on dosimetry, radiation sources, and operational requirements, making the book a useful guide for facility operators and regulatory authorities.


Importantly, the authors also address the psychology of public perception. By examining the roots of misinformation, communication gaps, and the persistent fear of so-called “radioactive food,” they demonstrate scientific responsibility and empathy. The analysis makes it clear that the primary challenge is not technological, but educational.


The book concludes by examining global market trends, future prospects, and strategic imperatives, underscoring the role of food irradiation in reducing spoilage, controlling pests, preventing food-borne diseases, and strengthening food security amid climate uncertainty and growing global demand.


Significant Work

Food Security with Nuclear and the Unreasoned Fear of Irradiated Food is a significant and authoritative work. It informs, educates, and corrects long-standing misconceptions with scientific precision and clarity. For policymakers, nuclear scientists, food technologists, academicians, students, and informed consumers, this book is both timely and essential.


It stands as a definitive guide for anyone seeking a rational, evidence-based understanding of food irradiation and its transformative role in ensuring safe, secure, and sustainable food systems for the future.


(The writer is Chief Executive of National Centre for Science Communicators, Mumbai. Views personal.)

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