Photo: Shefali Rafiq.
Students celebrate a classmate’s birthday at an informal school, or pathshala, set up by police officer Than Singh (center), in a Delhi, India.
Today’s story is about one compassionate person in India who wanted to make a difference in children’s lives. Shefali Rafiq and Saqib Mugloo wrote the photo essay for the Christian Science Monitor.
“It wasn’t until Than Singh came along that learning became a favorite pastime for the children who typically roam Delhi’s streets begging, rifling through garbage, or engaging in petty crimes.
“In 2015, the Delhi police officer started a pathshala, or place of learning, where he teaches 80 students a day in a temple set up near the Red Fort. ‘It was heartbreaking to see children scavenging for plastic bottles in the trash,’ he recalls. ‘That’s when I decided to do something.’
“More than half of India’s children are malnourished, and about 30% of those ages 6 to 18 do not attend school. Mr. Singh, who grew up poor in northwestern Rajasthan state, is determined to change these statistics. ‘My dream is to see every underprivileged child in school,’ he says with a broad, charming smile, adding that he is confident that, with God’s help, he will make it happen.
“He starts his day early, patrolling the busy lanes of Old Delhi, the capital’s historic heart, as part of his duties. But every day after work, he holds classes at his pathshala, where students eagerly await him. Among them are Ajay Ahirwar and Neelu Ahirwar (no relation).
“Ajay says he aspires to become a high-ranking officer in the government so that he can improve the conditions of his family and those living like him. Neelu is fond of her teacher and the pathshala. ‘I would rather be here, even on holidays, than at home,’ says the young girl, who aspires to become an officer in the Indian Police Service.
“Initially, only four children attended Mr. Singh’s pathshala. He contributed money from his salary to buy books, notebooks, pencils, and schoolbags. Nine years down the line, he has now taught hundreds of children.
“ ‘Beyond basic lessons, I try to instill manners and discipline in these students,’ Mr. Singh says. ‘Even if they come to this school just for a meal, I’ll be happy because, seeing others, they may also want to study.’
“Mr. Singh organizes extracurricular activities, too, including cricket. For those children who do attend school in the city, he celebrates good exam results at his pathshala. ‘I just want these children to stay away from all the bad influences they’re vulnerable to,’ he says, referring to the crimes that affect Delhi.
“ ‘Our aim in the world is to spread goodness and happiness.’ ”
More at the Monitor, here. Wonderful photos. No firewall.
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