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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.

Nehru Science Centre: 40 Years of Inspiring Scientific Curiosity

This year marks a proud milestone for the Nehru Science Centre (NSC) in Worli, Mumbai, as it celebrated 40 years since its inauguration on November 11, 1985. 

 

Over the past four decades, the NSC has blossomed into one of India’s most vibrant and dynamic interactive science museums. 

 

It has played a pioneering role in popularising science, nurturing a spirit of curiosity, and fostering a scientific temper among people of all ages. 

 

From its very inception, the NSC has invited students, teachers, and families to touch, explore, and experience the joy of scientific discovery.

 

A Transformative Beginning

The story of the NSC began in the late 1970s — an era when the world was embracing the concept of activity-based learning through open-air science parks and hands-on exhibits. 

 

India joined this global movement through the establishment of the country’s first Science Park in 1979 at Worli. This pioneering effort soon evolved into a full-fledged science centre, formally inaugurated in 1985.

 

Spread across 14 lush acres in the heart of Mumbai, the NSC stands on what was once a derelict dumping ground — transformed through vision and dedication into a vibrant hub of science and technology learning. 

 

It is a living example of how creativity and commitment can turn even the most unlikely space into a place of inspiration.

 

What Makes It Special

Unlike conventional museums where exhibits are viewed passively, the NSC thrives on interaction, curiosity, and discovery. Its sprawling science park houses hundreds of fascinating exhibits on subjects like mechanics, energy, sound, optics, and transport — many of them located in open or semi-open spaces where learning merges seamlessly with play.

 

Inside, its thoughtfully designed galleries and immersive experiences — including the large-format Science Odyssey theatre and live science demonstrations — make abstract scientific ideas come alive. 

 

The NSC’s programmes for schools are especially popular, offering affordable educational packages with 3D shows, workshops, and theme-based activities designed to engage young minds.

 

To further deepen its connection with the community, the NSC also offers membership schemes for students, teachers, and senior citizens, creating a network of lifelong learners who share a passion for science.

 

Impact Over Four Decades

Over the years, the NSC has welcomed more than seven lakh visitors annually, including over 1.2 lakh schoolchildren. 

 

For educators, scientists, and science communicators, NSC has served as a fertile ground to design and test innovative exhibits, outreach initiatives, and new formats for informal science education.

 

Its influence extends far beyond Mumbai. The NSC model has inspired the establishment of similar centres across India, contributing to a nationwide movement for science communication and experiential learning. 

 

Generations of students have fond memories of their visits — moments when they first built, observed, or experimented their way into understanding the magic of science.

 

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Even as it celebrates its achievements, NSC continues to evolve in step with the times. The digital revolution, environmental challenges, and shifting educational paradigms have opened new avenues — and new responsibilities. 

 

The NSC continues to upgrade its digital and outdoor exhibits, ensuring accessibility and relevance for an increasingly tech-savvy generation. Maintaining outdoor installations amid Mumbai’s changing urban landscape is another challenge that calls for constant innovation and care.

 

Thus, the NSC's 40th anniversary is not merely a commemoration of the past but also a renewed commitment to advancing the frontiers of science communication in the decades to come.

 

Looking Forward

As it turns 40, the NSC stands tall as a beacon of scientific curiosity and creativity in India. Its journey — from a concept in the 1970s to a thriving institution today — reflects the enduring power of interactive, informal learning. For students, teachers, families, and lifelong learners, it remains a place to question, explore, and marvel at the wonders of science.

 

On this special occasion, we pay tribute to the visionary leaders who imagined it, the educators and communicators who sustained it, and the countless young visitors whose curiosity keeps it alive.

 

Scientists and science lovers are optimistic that the NSC will continue to inspire, enlighten, and ignite the spark of scientific wonder in the future.

 

(The author is Chief Executive, National Centre for Science Communicators. Views personal.)

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