Hi All, We (Pawan, Jayaram, Pulla Rao, Shobha, Seshu and me) participated in Republic Day celebrations at Balakara Bala mandir for Boys.
About school: The school started in 1955. It has primary education. The children here are "Miracle Children". The celebrations started at 9:00 AM in the morning. All the children got assembled by 9:05 AM. The celebrations started with flag hoisting by head master of the school followed by national anthem. Children sang devotional song on Lord Ganesha. Later the anchor taken over the preceding. He gave speech on what scarifies were made by Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Pandit Jawaharlal Nerhu and other great leaders to get India independence. Later he handed over to the children to sing Patriotic song in Kannada. Later he asked the Head Mistress to speak few words. She took and explained the importance of independence, what children's role in nation's growth. Later children sang another patriotic song in Kannada. The preceding ended with Zai hind slogans. Biscuits and chocolates were distributed among children. Infosys I-Volunteers who also came to celebrate the event took the further preceding. I-Volunteers, TMAD group all sung Sare Jahase Achha. They gave entertainment to the children by dancing and finally distributed sweets to children. Around 100 children participated in this celebration. Among this we observed there were two different kinds of uniforms worn by children. 1. Blue and 2. White. Even we found few children were kept inside school building. We all had a question ?? Why is this? We went to officer by name Mrs Vasanta who is working for the school for more than 20 years. We asked her to explain about the school, difference in children dress, children inside school building, school strength. She first took us to the room where the prizes were kept. It's big almirah. We were surprised to see it. It's full with prizes perhaps they require one more almirah to keep them. She kept on saying on sentence "these children are miracle children". We had to yes by seeing the proof. She then took as to another room where all the Sewing Machines are kept. They had variety of machines ranging from normal to powered ones. She then took to room where the hand weaving room. She said if children are not interested in studies they are kept in these room depending up on their physical and mental capabilities. Then we went to room where the cooking takes place. It's actually not hygienic, but we cannot help it as the school strength is 300. Then she showed the room where the entertainment takes place. They have TV, VCD Player in this room. There are 2 other rooms like this. In the open place children have to wash their clothes. She then explained about staff. There are 16 people as staff. It includes teacher, officers and head mistress. They have to manage 300 children. Imagine how hard it is.. She then told the children in Blue colored uniform were permanent school children who go to school regularly. The White colored uniform children were not part of school as they won't stay in the school. These children were brought by 1098 police who are trained and find out whom they are where they come from and then the school people will transfer them to respective school in their place of their state. The children who were staying inside the building are just bought in to the school by 1098 police. So staffs don't recognize them, if they were let out they will miss and were hard to figure out. That's the reason they were locked inside the school. Each child have a file where mentor has to write, what is he where he come from, what he/she did to children, even if they fall they have to write in this file. She showed to us. Then we asked her what are the requirements you are having and here is the list. List is categorized based on the money that needs to be given. 1. Minor but very needy and some contributions are required every month 2. Major and one time investment Minor: (essential ones) 1. Pens, Pencils boxes for exams – 150 children are in the school. They need pens and pencils for writing exams by March of this year. Even they need boxes to keep them. 2. School bags – 150 children need school bags. This is not provided by govt. They require this by June-2008. 3. Dresses – School uniforms, dress for wearing. Govt provides only 5 pairs of cloth to children for whole year. These children take the clothes and throw it away and say they lost. Those five pairs are get stitched at the tailoring department of the school that to by children of the school. So you can think of the durability. 4. Medicine – Govt provides but very insufficient one. They just give bare minimum. 5. Note books – Like ruled, unruled, copy writing, etc for the school children (150) 6. Photostat – Every time they join a children or transfer a children or any other purpose they 6 different kinds of forms. They don't have Photostat machine. So the staff has to get the Photostat on their own money. 7. White papers, Files 8. Travel Expenses – The children whom get transferred one staff and child or children sent along. The staff has to bear the expenses. There were 5 children trained for 4 months and finally were transferred to Ahmedabad School. 5 days travel, food for them, snacks and everything the staff has to bear. 9. Storage – Like iron boxes, drawers, lockers anything of the sort Major: Industrial Washing Machine – Think of children at age 6. How can they wash their clothes? Some children won't even wash just dip in the water and dry them. This type of machine costs 80,000. She approached my trusts, even Infosys but none turned up. She said Jain trust people come for celebration on Mahavir Jaiyanti and distribute high quality ghee sweets. Later the children always stay near the toilets. But they ever give this kind of donation. They major curse for this school is GOVT SCHOOL. Photostat Machine – They can do the Photostat on their own. We find one good machine and give it to them. This may cost minimum or 40,000 for good featured one. -- C Neela Megha Shyam Anantapur.
