The grandmothers begin their day with a morning prayer. Black slates in hands, they practise writing Marathi alphabets and reciting them out aloud. They learn the fundamentals of mathematics, alphabets and nursery rhymes at the school.
The school, which began its journey last year on the International Women’s Day, is the brainchild of 45-year-old Yogendra Bangar. Mr Bangar, who travels 75 km every day from the city to the school, said he feels it is his duty to educate them. The idea came to him when he realised that elderly women in the village were illiterate and were unable to recite the mythological epics on Shivaji Jayanti. Mr Bangar claims that the initiative has helped the village achieve 100 per cent literacy.
Ms Kanta said that she was initially hesitant, but after she saw other women of her age attending the school, she too joined. “Now I can read and write in my language. I have understood the importance of education. It gives you self-esteem. Earlier, I had to put my thumb impression on bank documents, but now I can sign them myself. I don’t need anyone else’s help,” she was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Eighty-seven-year-old Ramabai is one of the oldest students of the school. Despite facing troubles with her hearing, she is determined to study. She said that she did not know the importance of going to the school as a child, but she can now read and write and feels really confident.
Education has also transformed the way the villagers look at hygiene and sanitation. The village has just become open defecation free, with each family having a toilet at home, said Mr Bangar. Another activity that engages the grandmothers is watering a sapling that’s planted in their names at the school compound. For learning, age is no bar, and these grandmothers have proved that.
(With Inputs From PTI)
Loading ...
Hello! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to check it out.
I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Exceptional blog and great style and design.
Great article! We are linking to this particularly great article on our website.
Keep up the great writing.
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a
comment is added I get four e-mails with the same comment.
Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
I am curious to find out what blog platform you are
working with? I’m experiencing some minor security problems with
my latest site and I would like to find something more secure.
Do you have any recommendations?
Excellent post. I was checking constantly this weblog and I
am inspired! Very helpful information particularly the last part 🙂 I
take care of such information a lot. I used to be looking for this certain info
for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.
Wow….. What a great initiative…. Articles like these are the reasons why news reading is still interesting and brings cheer and smile to our faces… Good Job Mr. Bangar. May you be blessed and get the support to expand this good work to educate more mothers.