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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.

Thackerays bank on MM formula

Mumbai: The reunion of Thackery cousins- Uddhav and Raj – after a gap of 20 years is aimed at securing maximum wards dominated by Marathi speaking people (36) and Muslims (47) as well in Mumbai. These 83 wards will play a crucial role in choosing the next Mayor of the Maximum City.


Since Uddhav, the chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), has emerged as the biggest opponent of the BJP he believes that he could influence the Muslim voters and attract them from the Congress. Raj, the president Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), is an undisputed hero in the Marathi heartland. Their reunion will focus entirely on these two points.


The reunion, rich in symbolism and emotion, was touted as a coming together “for the cause of Mumbai, Marathis and Maharashtra,” signalling a dramatic reboot in state politics, causing palpitations among rival parties.


The development preceded two decades of acrid rivalry between the cousins as ties practically snapped in November 2005 after Raj quit the (undivided) Shiv Sena and the Thackeray household, ‘Matoshree’; and a year later he formed the MNS.


Speaking jointly to the media and party workers, Uddhav and Raj appeared relaxed and attempted to paint a historical hue, and how the state’s destiny was entwined with that of the Thackeray clan, and their huge political differences over two decades on various issues.


Uddhav Thackeray

Uddhav recalled the days when the entire Thackeray family fought together in the five-year long Samyukta Maharashtra Movement (1956-1960), contending that after 60 years, Mumbai’s status is again threatened, urging for a similar united action.


“More than six decades after that historic agitation, fresh attempts are being made to weaken Maharashtra by weaning away Mumbai. We (cousins) have had many internal feuds. However, Maharashtra is bigger than our petty differences,” Uddhav magnanimously declared to a thundering applause.


Dispelling any soothsayers, the former Chief Minister determinedly added that “both sides have decided to stand together and remain united”.


Explaining the challenges before the people of the state after the 2024 Assembly elections, Uddhav took a jibe referring to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s slogan – ‘Batenge to Katenge’ then.


He called upon the Marathis and all those who love Maharashtra, Mumbai and Marathi that “Aata chukal, tar sampal” (You err now, You will perish) – and was rewarded with an approving round of applause.


The jolly reconciliatory mood between the cousin brothers seemed to have filtered down to the rank-and-file who were seen smiling, beaming and enjoying the reunion ringing in on Christmas-Eve 2025.


Uddhav pointed out that besides the tie-ups finalised for Mumbai, Thane, Mira-Bhayander, Navi Mumbai, Pune and Nashik, “similar efforts and discussions are underway for other civic bodies as well”, hinting at a broader alliance strategy.


Raj Thackeray:

Raj Thackeray said the state had been anticipating this development for long, and today’s formal declaration marked the end of prolonged uncertainty.


Doling out a booster dose to the leaders and workers of both sides, he confidently asserted that “Mumbai’s next mayor would be a Marathi, and would be (ours)", calling upon the voting masses to bless the new family partnership wholeheartedly.


Aware that his recent political past and ideological stance would face the ‘agni-pariksha’ in coming days, Raj pre-emptively dismissed the BJP’s possible questioning of his Hindutva credentials.


“I get many videos… They should not lecture us on Hindutva. I also have a video clip of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis bidding ‘Allah Hafiz’ and many more,” said Raj, in a veiled dare to the BJP.


Burying the past to break bread

After the split in the Thackeray family 20 years ago, Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray were briefly visible at family gatherings, exchanging restrained pleasantries while their parties remained fierce adversaries. Today’s public embrace ensured that the unsavoury past is buried and blood is thicker than water.


Not surprisingly, the alliance announcement sparked scenes of full-throated jubilation among SS (UBT)-MNS activists alike. The venue echoed with cat-calls, drumbeats and bugle sounds as workers danced, hugged and celebrated unabashedly. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


At one point, prodded by the legion of paparazzi, a smiling Uddhav wrapped an arm around a grinning Raj’s shoulders and thumped his back, as the latter folded his hands, capturing some memorable frames.


On the stage, there was more symbolism during the ‘say cheese’ scenario – SS (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut occupied the ‘centre-stage’, flanked by Uddhav and Aditya Thackeray on his right plus Raj and Amit Thackeray on the left side.

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