Turning another leaf in life, she brings light to the underdogs’ kids

Losing her husband after a marital life of five months, Seema Lakra, a tribal lady, had nothing to look forward to. Fighting the acute depression and loss, she gathered the courage to get back to the mainstream and was determined to impart elementary education to underprivileged children, who would otherwise loiter around whiling away time.  

In the year 2000, she founded Gyanoday English Medium School with a meager strength of 17 students. Located in the bylanes of the Bariatu Road, this school has been working towards the upliftment of children residing in the shanties of Karamtoli, Harihar Singh Road, Bariatu Road and Morabadi.

With the support of her family and her savings, she constructed a three-roomed building initially. Later, she constructed toilets and recently has constructed two additional rooms to accommodate 250 students studying there presently. In the previous month, she has registered her school with the local Anganbadi so that it gets recognized as a private school in that area. Though, this school is not affiliated to any of the boards, the management follows the CBSE pattern of education.

Speaking on this initiative, Lakra, said, “It is our mission to provide quality education to the underprivileged kids so that they can become good citizens of the country. I used to see a lot of kids in my area loitering aimlessly. Their mothers were busy in making both ends meet and most of the fathers were jobless and indulged in alcoholism. This motivated me to bring these students together and help them grow as better individuals.”

Lakra is assisted through a faculty of five teachers who have been an integral part in the seamless administration of this school. Suneeta Devi is a senior teacher at Gyanoday School who has been associated with the institution since the beginning and is one of the most loved teachers. She said, “I have enjoyed every challenge that came in my way and today when I see ex-students doing well in their respective fields, I feel extremely satisfied and proud.” Suneeta Devi further added that many students who join this school have no knowledge about the basics like hygiene and sanitation. It is the teachers who dedicatedly contribute in shaping their childhood.

Nisha Kumari, a class five student at Gyanoday School wants to become a teacher in the future. She said, “I enjoy my time being at school and I love to study. The teachers here are extremely caring and science is my favorite subject.”

Pooja Khalkho, BA II year student studying in Ranchi College, was an ex-student of Gyanoday School. She said, “If I have come this far in my career, it is only because of Seema Ma’am and her school. I miss my school days.”

Aloni Aind and Kushal Shaw, parents of two different kids have all praises for the school. They said that if this school was not there, then their children would have been uneducated. Every parent wants the best of education for their children and Gyanoday is fulfilling this dream of less-fortunate parents.