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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.

Sena-BJP non-poaching agreement after CM reprimands Shiv Sena ministers

Mumbai: The rift between the ruling alliance partners BJP and Shiv Sena, ahead of the crucial local body elections, was highlighted on Tuesday when Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reprimanded Shiv Sena ministers for purportedly boycotting the cabinet meeting over the BJP's induction of former Shiv Sena corporators. However, the issue was swiftly put to rest. Following a mere 10-minute meeting with the CM, the ministers declared that the dispute was over, having secured a non-poaching agreement between the parties.


Since past few days the BJP had stepped up induction of political leaders from other parties ahead of the Municipal corporation elections. Since, in many of the constituencies of the Shiv Sena MLAs, the BJP has been inducting strong leaders from the other parties, while in some constituencies side lined Shiv Sena leaders too were inducted. This has led to restlessness within the Shiv Sena camp. Owing to the restlessness the Shiv Sena ministers gathered at DCM Eknath Shinde’s cabin before the cabinet meeting Today decided to skip the cabinet meeting. Shinde, however, excused himself stating that he will have to attend the cabinet meeting since he is a deputy Chief Minister. He was the lone representative of the Shiv Sena in the cabinet meeting.


Most of the Shiv Sena MLAs are unhappy with the new state BJP President Ravindra Chavan. Chavan comes from Dombivali in Thane district, which is considered to be a stronghold of DCM Eknath Shinde. It is widely believed to be the BJP’s strategic move to project a leader from Thane district as the state BJP president. Moreover, in past few days Chavan had been on an induction spree wherein he has even inducted some of the former corporators and office bearers of the Shiv Sena. While the Shiv Sena ministers were busy complaining about him to CM Fadnavis, Chavan was busy inducting Raju Shinde, who was the key contestant against Shiv Sena spokesperson and controversial minister Sanjay Shirsat during assembly election last year. The BJP has already said that it shall win the state on its own in 2029 assembly elections and Chavan is seen to be perfectly walking on the path towards the goal. He is being perceived to empowering other leaders in the constituencies that Shiv Sena won last year.


A meeting of seniors soon: Bhuse

Senior Shiv Sena minister Dadaji Bhuse, while officially confirming the developments, stated that the senior leaders from both the parties will meet tonight or tomorrow to resolve the issues that have led to heart burning between the alliance partners. Bhuse also reiterated that this was a small issue and doesn't pose a threat to the alliance which has survived several ups and downs.

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