Dwarka: Where there’s a will, there’s a paathshala...
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Dwarka: Where there’s a will, there’s a paathshala...

The community hall of the Air Force Naval Officers’ Enclave in Sector 7 has been turned into a school of sorts. Here’s how.

Dwarka: Where there’s a will, there’s a paathshala...

Here’s a story of how a community hall turned into a paathshala — now all of six months.

If you happen to visit the Air Force Naval Officers’ Enclave in Sector 7, Dwarka, do drop in at the community hall. The place is teeming with eager kids — all underprivileged. While some are seen poring over books, mostly collected from the society, others are seen trying to get a grip on their pencils.   

There’s class every day from 11 am to 1 pm.  

 

 

And who’s behind this paathshala? Wing Commander KL Kapoor.

He says, “I would see these children playing in the streets the whole day. Some, as I came to know later, would take care of their siblings, as their mothers would need to leave for work. ‘These children ought to have an education,’ I thought — and that’s how the paathshala started.”

Kapoor, thankfully, has the support of his society and friends. He recalls, "I asked the president of my society, SK Sharma, for help, and he readily agreed. He willingly gave us this space. My friends and other residents of the society, too, pitched in.”

 

Krishna Singh, a resident, takes a class

 

At present, there are 20-30 children in the age group 10-12 years. Some of them have been enrolled in nearby government schools.

Group Captain UC Prasad, who has been with the initiative since the beginning, shares, "I was in academics earlier and decided to teach these children. It’s a wonderful experience for me. Now we are trying to work out a system that will let these children continue their education. We are also planning their nutrition.”

Several residents have volunteered to teach. One of them is Sudha Gupta, who takes classes for English and Mathematics. She shares, "We want these children to get a proper education. I look into their enrollment in schools. They are bright children and must be given our support.”

Lawyer Sarita Kochar teaches the kids how to draw. Krishna Singh, another resident, is also part of the initiative.

Saumya Gupta, who studies in the US, is here on vacation and decided to teach the children for a couple of weeks. She says, “This is a great experience — teaching such inquisitive children. They are sharp and honest in what they do."