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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.

Unparalleled Leadership: Blend of Merit & Inclusiveness

Every Laturkar mourns the sad demise of legendary statesman Shivraj Patil Chakurkar. We express our heartfelt condolences and pray to the Almighty that 'May his soul attain Sadgati.' His long association and guidance to me and all people associated with him will always be remembered and will keep inspiring us in the service of the Nation.


As we vividly walk down the memory lane we stand inspired with every gesture of respect and love Shri Patil Saheb treated us. On many Social occasions and assignments related to the RNLES School, the valuable time I was blessed to spend with him had left a strong influence on me.


Shivraj Patil Chakurkar was a politician known for his living by principles and connected with roots. He was a determined, dedicated and result oriented statesman having 60+ years of rich experience in public life, and led almost all Institutions of government functionaries of the nation from Municipal Council to Union Minister to the Speaker of Lok Sabha and established himself as a Leader with Difference.


Strong Willpower

With his strong willpower to bring change in the society he served the soil and was entrusted by people in all elections. He had the rare distinction of being unanimously elected as Speaker of Lok Sabha. His tenure as 10th Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 1991 to 1996 was extraordinary. His initiatives as Speaker of Lok Sabha were applauded by various quarters. He earned special place of Respect in the heart of both the parties Ruling and oppositions. His balanced approach and voice of respect successfully helped him to defuse the tensions and ease the situations when Lok Sabha used to become tense. He was often admired by all for peacefully and fruitfully conducting the House debates.


He brought various important reforms including Schedule 10 and many more which uplifted the standards of procedure for the bright future of the Nation.


Important Reform

I must mention that one of most important reforms Patil brought to the Lok Sabha is to upgrade the computerisation and modernisation efforts of the institutional arrangements of Lok Sabha Secretariate. He ensured that various index-based databases of information were developed to provide Objective – Reliable and authoritative data to Lok Sabha members on regular basis. He also ensured that computerization of Lok Sabha Activities and it is his tenure when Notebook Computers were firstly made available to Parliamentarians to access instant and up to date information on various matters to effectively conduct their Parliamentarian Duties.


In recognition of his efforts and contribution to the Lok Sabha, outstanding parliamentarian award was launched by the Indian Parliamentarian group to be presented to a distinguished Parliamentarian for his exemplary services.


He was globally acclaimed for various successful international conferences conducted in his tenure, including SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians. He was then Governor of the state of Punjab and administrator of the Union territory of Chandigarh from 2010 to 2015. I must thank him for the hospitality extended to RNLES students when they visited Raj Bhavan during educational tour in November 2013.


The politician, lawyer, professor, agriculturist has other side of inspiring suthor too! He has penned popular books namely Reminiscences & Reflections, Vision Of India, Ecstasy and Agony of Presiding Officer, Fragrance of Inner Self, and Dialogues, Odyssey of My Life where he writes about the functioning of various institutions.


He has special love towards reading, writing, swimming, horse riding, shooting, painting and farming. He gave credit of his success to his parents and Guru Shri Sathya Sai Baba.


Patil is a pride of us all and his life is source inspiration for us all. Every Laturkar salute his dedication for the nation! And every Laturkar stand elated to be associated with you!


(The writer is President of Atrivarad Pratishthan, Latur. Views personal.)

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