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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.

The Trump Card: Why India Should Cheer His Return to the White House

Updated: Nov 18, 2024

Trump

Once again, the exit polls missed the mark. In a year where predictions leaned heavily in favour of Kamala Harris - first as the frontrunner, then as a rival poised to break new ground as the first Indian American president - Americans chose to re-elect Donald Trump for a second term. Despite predictions of a tight race, with exit polls suggesting a nail-biting contest, Trump effortlessly clinched victory in a stunning comeback, becoming the first U.S. president in a century to hold two non-consecutive terms.


For many in India, Trump’s return dimmed the excitement over Harris’s candidacy, which had sparked hopes of an Indian American president. However, rather than despair, India should view the future optimistically. Despite personal disappointment, the broader trajectory of U.S.-India relations may continue to strengthen, buoyed by the strong personal bond between Trump and Prime Minister Modi.


In foreign relations, personal chemistry can go a long way. On this front, Trump has shown an unwavering admiration for India and its people, particularly the Indian diaspora. His praises for the Hindu community’s work ethic and family values are a far cry from the more tepid reception Harris has afforded her Indian heritage. Harris, while being of Indian and Jamaican descent, has always emphasized her African American and Caribbean roots, and never made India or its people a central part of her political identity. This distinction was glaring when, as vice president, she skipped a visit to India during her first year in office. By contrast, Trump has consistently underscored his admiration for the Indian-American community, making clear his deep affinity for the country’s traditions and its people.


Moreover, Trump’s foreign policy stance toward India has been considerably warmer than Harris’s. While the Biden administration has, at times, been cool toward India—particularly on issues such as human rights and Kashmir - Trump has been unapologetically supportive. He openly criticized the Democrats’ silence over the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, condemning them as a ‘genocide’ - something Harris did not address during her tenure.


For India, Trump’s second term could signal a continuation of this affinity, fostering stronger diplomatic ties with a man who has shown a personal and political commitment to building closer ties with New Delhi. His praise for India’s “model minority” status, his unrelenting push against China’s rise, and his embrace of a more muscular foreign policy would likely align with India’s own priorities in a more predictable way than Harris’s more nuanced, multilateral approach.


The future of U.S.-India relations under Trump also hinges on his more hawkish stance towards China. Trump’s outspoken criticism of Beijing during his first term, alongside his support for a strong India, makes him a natural ally in India’s ongoing strategic competition with China. As the U.S. seeks to counter China’s growing geopolitical footprint, India’s role as a bulwark in the Indo-Pacific region is more important than ever.


Trump’s National Security Advisor pick, Mike Waltz, a staunch critic of China, underscores the administration’s commitment to a hardline stance on Beijing. Waltz’s advocacy for boycotting the 2022 Beijing Olympics over China’s treatment of the Uighur Muslims fits neatly with India’s own concerns about Chinese expansionism. And as co-chair of the Congressional India Caucus, Waltz has long been known as a leading voice for India in Washington. His appointment is an unequivocal signal that U.S.-India relations will continue to strengthen, even as the rivalry with China intensifies.


Trump’s appointments of high-profile Indian-Americans like Vivek Ramaswamy to lead key initiatives such as the Department of Government Excellence (DOGE) under Elon Musk are further proof of his recognition of India’s growing global influence. In this ambitious project, aimed at streamlining U.S. government operations and cutting wasteful spending, India’s role as a key partner in technology, innovation, and manufacturing is likely to be magnified. For India’s burgeoning tech industry, Trump’s policies on reshoring manufacturing and incentivizing American companies to look to India for cost-effective alternatives to China could yield substantial dividends.


When Trump won in 2016, global markets, including India’s Sensex, rallied—and the same could happen now. His economic policies, especially the tough stance on China and push for outsourcing to India, could boost India’s manufacturing sector. With U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods still in place, India is well-placed to fill the gap in global supply chains, particularly in electronics and consumer goods.


This trend could lead to job creation and an uptick in investment as American companies look to India as an alternative manufacturing hub. India’s potential to serve as the next ‘workshop of the world’ under Trump’s policies could be the silver lining in an otherwise unpredictable global economy.


While the world may have hoped for a different outcome, India’s relationship with the U.S. is likely to continue on its positive trajectory under Trump’s second term.


Despite the allure of Harris’ rise, her policy positions and downplaying of her Indian roots may not have offered India the expected benefits. Trump’s embrace of India, his support for the Hindu diaspora, and his strategic vision for the Indo-Pacific region all bode well for India’s future on the global stage. In this light, India might not only survive Trump’s return to office - it could thrive.


(The author is a motivational speaker. Views personal.)

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