"Mam, I am glad you brought us here. This feeling is more fulfilling to me than the fireworks back home every Diwali”, said Susmit with a gratifying smile on his face. After all he and his classmates were not there for yet another field trip ! The visit to ‘Neev’, the school for the underprivileged or ‘children of beggars’ to put it bluntly, was aimed at making our children realize the good things that God has bestowed upon them which they often fail doing !
Vyom and Raunak are busy making streamers and putting them across the cracked walls. Harshit and Abhyuday are in a minor spat following a snide remark from some corner,completely oblivious of the fact that the children at Neev are gaping at them!
This classroom was an assortment of sorts since the age groups were strange. One could see a toddler sitting on a ten year old’s lap and beaming away a radiant smile to everyone present there. And you thought learning requires infrastructure…….?
Vivan, as usual is busy interviewing the teachers present there to tally the learning ideology with our own philosophy and analyzing the situation. Shivam finds a cozy corner and his fingers are working magic with paper as he flings the paper streamers into the air! Prachit and his group are doling out sweets and crayons to children while Vishruti exults after capturing these fine moments on her camera which is the most prized possession on earth, for her, at this point in time!
I was indeed amazed to see the amount of self-discipline these slum children displayed. They could wait for their turn and exercise restrain for everything that was being offered to them. Or was the situation a contrived one which ceased to exist once we were gone. Well, whatever the case may be, it surely did put a few of our brats to shame!
The scene at the blackboard was funny. Shweta, Mishi and Varsha are giving vent to their creative expressions as they urge these kids to copy on their cards the images of Lord Ganesha that they had managed to sketch. The feeling of oneness was all prevalent in the air. “God bless this moment”, I said to myself!
Kirti and Meet are all smiles to see the group taking interest in everything and still staying closer to the ground. Saaheb expresses his feelings of empathy over the conditions of slum dwellers to all the staff present there. “Mam, Saaheb is being politically correct”. Pat came the remark from Parth and Yaman. I couldn’t help smiling. It was time to return to school. Rajat and Yash were reluctant to board the bus as they seemed enthused.
Having facilitated such a visit on the occasion of Diwali did help the children understand the lives of such poor families who struggle to make both ends meet. The bus moves and a loud chorus can be heard singing, “Yooheen kat jayega safar saath chalne se”..! I join them heartily, realizing the importance of this worthwhile ‘educational’ trip!
Surya Nair
Mentor, Class VII
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