CHAR CHAWANNI

CHAR CHAWANNI

It was 1972. I had returned from Canada, got married to Nirmala and together we had started a school in a remote village Kunaura. There was problem of drinking water for school kids in that barren area and we did not have money to arrange for running water. There were more pressing things to attend to. So we decided to have a dug well like most others used to have in that area. There was a custom those days that people would contribute towards such an effort either in cash or kind . Day's work was over, people offering Shramdaan (donation of labour without taking wages) had gone and I was sitting with my wife thinking about the next days programme. Then came an elderly man --- Lachhman Bajpai and gave four small coins, quarters of a rupee (chaar chawanni). He was from my village and I knew he was passing through hard times, hands to mouth. Those Char Chawanni could buy him 3 kg of wheat, enough to feed his family for one day. He donated them towards the cause that he thought was worthy. .I was moved and accepted the coins with humility.
Over the period of four decades the school has grown big, made socio-economic impact in the area and many friends have made huge contributions. Neelesh, Karan, Sukanya and their friends are making loudable efforts to make the life of school kids as comfortable as possible. Through their efforts the school has electricity,running water, computer lab, a library, play ground, games material and boundary wall. The dug well is still there, just a reminder of early efforts.
I think the sacrifice of Lachhman Bajpai and his Char Chawanni have no less importance in the making of my school than large contributions by generous wealthy friends.

RURAL KIDS ARE EQUALLY TALENTED

On 7 February the kids of Bhartiya Gramin Vidyalaya and C.T.D.Foundation School Kunaura celebrated the function on the school annual day to mark the occasion of Vasant Panchami, the birth day of Saraswati, the Godess of Wisdom. Their performance kept the audience of more than 2000 villagers spell bound. I always knew the kids have talent but I was very impressed to see that they improve upon the previous performance every year. Their acting brought the memories of Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai, Mother Teress and Swami Vivekanand alive. The folk dances and folk songs and individual dances were superb. Kids can do miracles if they get some professional guidance in acting and speaking. Last year we were privileged to have distinguished guests from Mumbai like Shishir Dala, his wife and sons. I congratulate the teachers of the school who prepared the students despite meagre resources and costumes.

On the previous day on 6 February there was a public feast (Bhandara) in my ancestral village Deora in the temple that we have built there. The villagers and kids served the guests with full dedication. Every year we arrange the feast to mark the foundation day of the temple. Last year my grandson Aditya also served the guests with admirable devotion. We were surprised to see that village kids have a deep sense of serving.

Village kids can serve with devotion and perform admirably on the stage if only they have opportunity to do so.

THEY GOT SWEATERS WHEN NEEDED MOST

This winter was really severe for weeks together and I used to watch the shivering village students, of my school in the remote rural area, with anguish. I could not possibly help them all and even when the government of Uttar Pradesh closed the schools for a few days, it was hardly the solution. Then my son Neelesh had come to visit us around that time. He felt the pain of the poor children himself and issued an appeal. Large number of well wishers and friends realized the need and donated promptly to the school. We could distribute sweaters to a 1000 students and watch the smiling faces. Neelesh has shared some of the pictures and I am sure you can imagine the degree of satisfaction that came to us through generosity of friends and well wisher. I wish to personally write and thank all those who helped the boys and girls of Kunaura and surrounding villages. But I do not have addresses of many of them. I request the donors to mail their addresses to me so that the receipts could be sent by post.MY VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO HELPED ME ENJOY THE SATISFACTION OF HELPING KIDS FIGHT SEVERE COLD.