No tech hurdle for tribal childrens’ edu now

Vadodara: Children of Haripura-Vadeshiya, a non-descript village of Chhota Udepur district, will no longer be deprived of home learning classes.
After reading a TOI report on how a farmer Shivji Rathwa got a broken old television repaired and bought a DTH set to ensure his daughter’s education, an Ahmedabad-based woman has donated an LED television and DTH set to the village.
Children of the village which has a population of around 1,000 were deprived of online and home learning classes in absence of proper mobile connectivity and television sets that remain unaffordable for the majority of 150 houses. Keen on getting his daughter educated, Rathwa had purchased the TV with the money he had saved for fertilizer and seeds for his farm.
Most of the children in this village had started helping their parents either with household chores or farming.
“I read the article and since I have been funding education for children in different places in Gujarat, I decided to donate the TV and DTH so that the children in the village can gather at one place and study,” said Anju Modi, a resident of Navrangpura and a retired consultant.
“I believe that the money I spend for people’s education should not stop. After educating themselves, the same people should educate others,” said Modi.
She also donated Rs 7,400 to Rathwa so that he can buy fertilizer and seeds. The amount also includes Rs 3,100 which Rathwa had spent on old television and DTH.
The television reached the village on July 31 and the gram panchayat has decided to install it either at a hall or at the school in the village. “The school has classes till grade IV but students can gather there and watch the classes on Doordarshan,” said sarpanch Prabhu Rathwa.
“Many children from our village have got themselves educated and are doing respectable jobs now. This television will contribute to continue that legacy even in these difficult times,” the sarpanch said.
Talking to TOI, Rathwa said, “I was hesitant to take the money, but eventually accepted it. I have not met the woman and she doesn't know me. Yet, she helped me. No matter how much I thank her, it will not be enough,” said Shivji.
Modi plans to do more for the villagers. “I have done research in solar power for many years. I wish to start with that once the situation normalizes,” she told TOI.