Life at Dream school & Bridging the gap!
In search of the answers to certain questions- Why so much care?
I experienced inevitable inner turmoil within me after getting admission in my dream school- Jawahar Navoday Vidyalay, Barabanki! Certain questions were arising out of curiosity, and they were obvious for anyone like me who was born and brought up in the dark web of poverty and lived in a remote rural Indian village.
The excellent facilities, good food, well-furnished hostels, good Teachers, CBSE board education curricula, round the clock care for everyone, military or Gurukul style schedule, in the Jawahar Navoday Vidyalay, triggered a thought inside me -Who is doing all this? And why, And that too at no cost? I was in search of these questions but could not gather the courage to asked anyone. Wherein the name of school there were only temporary arrangements, forget about the table, chair and other excellent facilities for students.
But it was Mr S.P. Singh, who was the principal of the school at that time. He was a classmate of India’s Priminister late Mr Rajiv Gandhi who was behind the genesis of Navoday Vidyalay School. He gave satisfying answers to my questions. Every day during the prayer, he used to share something with the students.
Once he was narrating the story and vision behind the Navoday Vidyalay and said, the key motive behind the scheme of Nododay Vidyalay, is to change the fate of the nation by nurturing the talent especially those who are not able to afford the quality education on their won. You are all are the new hope not only for your family but also for the nations. And, that is why the name of this school has named as “Navoday”. Navoday means the beginning of a new era. He explained, through the excellent education, all the students are not only supposed to change the fate of self and their family but also people around them on growing up and become capable of helping others. The seven years have been given to you so that you can prepare yourself to serve yourself, your family first and then your community, society, nations, and humanity as a whole! These inspiring words with compelling reason reinforced what my primary school teacher had taught me through a poem- ” Bahaut Badaa hai , Yeh, Shansar, Pah le Mere Ghharka, undde, Jaisa thaa, Aakaar, tab main, yehi, samajhti, thi bus, itna sa, heee, hai shansaar” in an inspiring way through the life, dream, and aspiration of a bird in the poem.
That day impact was huge on my tender mind. I got the answer to my question which were unanswered for, since the first day in my dream school. I came to know the real purpose of my existence- Not only to pass the examination but to pass these exams as part the big journey ahead to serve self, family, community, society, nation and humanity as a whole. It was a real orientation day for me!
The homework which no one checked but I did it!
The principal was so real and committed person for the cause behind the Navoday Vidyalay; he used to reiterate the big purpose and vision in almost every interaction with students. As he was a friend of late Mr Rajiv Gandhi who conceived the scheme of Navoday Vidyalay and he himself believed in the hidden just cause behind it, and therefore, it was natural for him to inspire student though his words and wisdom. He had served in the military before joining as a principal, and he used to handle two schools at one time as principal. I still remember school was about to close for 20 days winter vacation. He gave an assignment that each student will help minimum two illiterate people in the society around themselves to learn how to write their names and submit the report duly certified by a respective villager or town head. Hearing about this assignment, thought triggered in my mind how I would be doing this, whom can I teach to write their name, who is ahead villager in my village and how to approach him or her? With these unanswered questions within me, I left for the winter vacation.
The idea came to my mind, the principal had explained during the inspiring speeches, you have to begin from yourself then family, community, society, and nations etc. So, I noticed that even my eldest sister and uncle in the home did not know how to write their name as they have never been to school! Therefore, I explained regarding the assignment to all in family and started the work. I had succeeded in making both of them learn how to write their name. Now even today they do not use thumb impression in place of a signature. And for me, it was a considerable achievement not only for me for but also for my sister and uncle. I also go it certified from the head villager explaining the requirement and the result achieved through putting effort in making two people learn how to write their name. I was ready with the assignment to show if asked, but nobody asked! But still, it gives me the greatest satisfaction when my uncle and sister sign on paper instead of using thumb impression!
English-The biggest barrier of my life!
In the beginning, I was a quiet and shy type of student, and there was an oblivious reason for that. Everything was new and not so obvious for me as compared to other students, especially who were selected from an urban area. They were much smarter in terms of their awareness and level of knowledge. Even, I had seen the English writing notebook, the first time when I joined Navoday Vidyalay. At that time, I knew only English alphabets which I had learnt from my brother as there was no English course in the Primary School. Knowing this pathetic condition even my first English teacher was not very sure about my fate, but she had given a try, Once she called me and told look, you have to work very hard if you want to pass the examination of six class. When I was expected to write answers to question in English after reading the chapters of Class six CBSE board book, I had to begin from the word-formation! The gap was so huge even I did not know how to fill it, but my teachers said you know Hindi. It would be better if you purchase an English grammar book from Uttar Pradesh Board, purchase a Bhargava Dictionary and Learn five words every day. You may also try reading English News Paper at some later stage to increase your understanding. All this she told me within five minutes and said go and start! And, after that, it was a long journey which I believed in when everybody used to feel sorry for me in the class for my pathetic condition in English. At times, teachers used to teach using the English language. It was a huge challenge for me to break the barrier of English language, but I was determined and started with a view to bridging the gap as soon as possible keeping in mind that the 9th class onward all the subject would be in English medium only! The first and foremost challenge was breaking the myth that I will not able to pass the examination. The first unit test was nearing after around one and a half month. It was a do or die situation for me to change the perception of people around me at that time, including classmates and teachers. Many used to see me a big problem and unsolvable problem, especially with respect to my level of English Language Knowledge. Everything about me was painted with the same colour as far as perception amount me in other people’s mind was concerned!
But I noticed a huge shift in perception of people about me when the results of the unit test were declared. I received 32 in English language and 42 in Mathematics out of 50. Keeping my poor background in English, even my teacher was shocked by my performance. My name amongst the top 5 positions in mathematics was also unbelievable out of 40 students selected from the district. It was especially relief for teachers and ray of hope for them regarding the uncertain fate about me. My teachers were happy with the performance, and they recognized the same in the class in front of all, although I was not topper in any subject, my hard work and intent to improve was visible to all the teachers, and they encouraged to carry it forward to make a difference in life. When my mathematics teachers came in the class with the results sheet of all the students in his hand and asked who is Ram Raj just after entering the class, everybody thought I must have performed very poorly as it was difficult for me to understand spoken English. He used to teach mathematics in the English Language although the syllabus was in Hindi in the 6th Class. But the teacher was excited about my good performance and especially enquired about me asking some other questions. It was a booster for me to embark on the journey to defeat the gap between the urban elite and rural poor, Many of my classmate had to put a very little effort to achieve what I used to achieve with a lot of hard work and dedication. It was a hidden mystery for me how others are able to do with little efforts, and I was in search of these questions but never asked anyone. But once I observed, on every Sunday, parents used to visit their kids and used to guide their kids in their study. I was not fortunate enough as It was difficult for my parents to afford the travel cost and also my parents were not educated enough to teach me any subject! And, this was one reason that I found why some of the classmates need less effort to produce the same results as compared to me. So, what is the way out, I asked myself? One fine morning on a Sunday, I was determined to observe one classmate who used to speak a lot in class, especially in Mathematics and used to score first or second position in the class. I found, his parents enquired about what was taught last week, they taught him the lessons which were to be taught in the upcoming week. I got the answer, students who appeared most smart and intelligent, they seem so because of their parent’s effort in advance! Although I was observing from a little bit away, my classmate sensed that I might also learn in advance, so he said to his parent lets go somewhere. It appeared he was so insecure with my presence in nearby and he closed all the books and notebooks! Seeing the drama, I left from there and decided that day, if my parents are not able to cross-check me each Sunday, I will ask myself what other parents ask their kids. Whether all homework is complete, are you on the excellent study and progressive path, are you preparing yourself in advance for the next class etc.? The unique situations in my life made me an inward driven person. When I needed someone to answer my questions, I was forced to ask myself, when I needed the help of others, I was left helpless to make my own path out of the mess! And, this had given a unique shape to my life.
Blurring boundaries between urban elite rural poor students
Within a year, perception about me changed in classmate’s and teacher’s mind. My name started appearing in top four to five good students who were punctual, hardworking and dedicated for the true purpose. Although I used to clear all the examinations to meet the requirement, the study in English medium 9th class onward was still haunting me. Therefore, I did not stop there with a small win like clearing the unit test and passing the examination to be promoted to the next class. With the hard work, dedication, and commitment to improving each day finally paid the dividend in the 10th Class. And, I secured the first rank in the school, achieving 81.6% in 1998. The school principal was so happy and impressed with my performance that he arranged a news editor to publish the interview story in the newspaper. I remember, At that time, Late Mr Atal Bihari Bajpai Government was in power in the centre. And, due to the nuclear test, inflation was at its peak. People were fed up with the skyrocketing high rate of onion at the rate of Indian Rupees 200 per kilogramme. The interviewer asked me some specific questions, What do you want to become in life?, The response at that time was to become an engineer, How do you see the high commodity cost like onion etc.?, The response was, for the nation this temporary pain can be bored with the smile. Later on, the initiative taken for the nuclear test will give enough time to feel proud and elevated at the international level. I remember, when someone told my grandmom that my name came in the newspaper. She was worried because she was of the view that name in the newspaper appear only when someone does some evil deed. But when explained I passed the 10th class with good marks, she was thrilled and happy. The outstanding performance in academics raised the expectations of people in society and people in the family. Some day, I will be able to do something uniques which will help to kill poverty in the family. The academic performance achieved in the high school set a benchmark standard for others around the village to break and aspire to study hard.
100 km ride on cycle to just see the high school Result
My village khemapur vastauli in district Barabanki-UP was around 50 plus kilometre from the Jawahar Navoday Vidyalay Jahangirabad in district Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. It was the summer holiday after the 10th class board examination in 1998. The result was out, but there was no means to know the results from home. There was no light, no phone forgets about the internet and TV in my home. The only option was to go to school to see the result. The school was about to open in July. But, it was difficult for me to wait till that time as a lot was dependent on that result. I told my parents to visit the school, but they have to go to school in the first week of July and had have kept money only to drop me there and come back. There was no money for the additional visit. I was a little bit disappointed but did not lose hope and requested to my brother, who was doing a tailoring job. He said I would go, but with one condition, We will travel through the cycle, and you also had to ride the cycle in between while on the way. The money saved in this way, we will enjoy on the way. We will start in the early morning and will be back in the evening. I was happy and agreed immediately for the same as I was good at riding the cycle. We both started in the early morning reached school covering 50 kilometres plus distance. It was exhausting, but when the principal of the school hugged me with the love and care announcing the first position in the school, all suffering and pain disappeared. The principal also guided my elder brother for my future study after Navoday Vidyalay. We both came back to my village from school in the evening. That evening was the most exhausting but most satisfying evening of my life till that date. Everybody in the family was happy, and dreams and future aspirations to change the fate of family through me kept on increasing day by day.
Met the teacher in me!
Over time, the perception amongst juniors students for me as someone good at study. Many junior students used to come to me for clarification and help in subjects like mathematics. Even some of my classmate used to consult me when things become a total mess. One two-year junior student, Dinesh who was residing in the same hostel was not much good at study. He often used to find sleeping late in the morning even after the first wake up call and visit by the yoga teacher. One day, I went to him and enquired about his study and why he is not able to manage the discipline. He shared about him many things and expressed the desire to get help in the study from me. I accepted and started guiding him in his study. Within a month he noticed a change in his performance. A student who used to fall in the back bencher category started approaching in in top in a batch of around 80 students. He was happy and motivated by the guidance and inspiration from me. One Sunday he introduced me with his father Mr Sita Ram, who was a constable. He had already told about me regarding my selfless support and guidance to him. His father was also happy with improving his child performance. He inquired about my family and me that day. Since then, he used to meet me whenever he used to visit his child, Dinesh. He started treating me at par with his child as I was unconditionally helping his child without expecting anything in return. In high school, he secured 4th rank in the class and opted biology in intermediate to become a doctor. I was about to leave after passing 12th when he was about to pass 10th class. When he needed me badly, especially for the physics in 11th and 12th class, I had to leave for the next phase of life! We both were heading toward uncertain roads- he was going to miss me as a someone who can teach him physics and chemistry, and I was not very sure where to go for starting the preparation for engineering after finishing the schooling. However, I was preparing through self-study since 11th class for IIT-JEE. Let us see in the next chapter how life transition from school education to engineering colleges in the next chapter.