top of page

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.

I refuse to believe he is dead: Sister

Badlapur: A tragic Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad airport has claimed the lives of all 242 passengers onboard, including Badlapur resident and senior cabin crew member, Deepak Pathak, plunging the town into deep sorrow. The ill-fated flight was en route from Ahmedabad to London when the devastating accident occurred, shocking the nation and leaving families heartbroken.

 

Deepak Pathak, a dedicated employee of Air India for over 11 years, was known for his professionalism and warmth. On the morning of the crash, Deepak had informed his mother over a phone call that he was leaving from Ahmedabad for London. As usual, he sent his mother a “Good Morning” message and said, “Mom, I’m leaving now.” It was the last communication the family received from him.

 

Initially, when news of the crash broke, the family was gripped by anxiety. Deepak's phone became unreachable, and later, though it began to ring, no one answered—fueling hopes that he may have survived. However, the lack of official confirmation from Air India has left the family in a painful state of limbo.

 

While Speaking to, 'The Perfect Voice', Deepak's younger sister, Srishti Pathak, expressed disbelief. “Unless Air India confirms officially that my brother is no more, I refuse to believe it. I feel like he is still there,” she said, holding back tears. “We’re just watching the news and hoping for a miracle.”

 

Deepak's brother-in-law shared, “He was an executive crew member flying to London. Air India has arranged a special flight for us at 5 AM to the crash site for identification. But so far, we have no clear information.”

 

Family members, friends, and neighbors have gathered at the Pathak household in Badlapur, offering emotional support to the grieving family. His elder sister, Varsha Pathak, recalled how their mother first saw the news and immediately informed the rest of the family, fearing the worst.

 

The community of Badlapur stands united in grief, remembering Deepak not only as a devoted professional but also as a kind-hearted son, brother, and friend. His untimely demise has left a void in the hearts of many who knew and admired him.

Comments

bottom of page