As Mr Rabindranath Tagore wisely said, “The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.” Such grandeur notions of education have inspired one particular NGO 𑁋 ‘Self Reliant India.’
Self Reliant India (SRI) strives to achieve progressive educational development in India. One of its fundamental mechanisms provides quality education to the economically weaker sections of society. It participates with students enrolled in Government/ Public schools and works with their parents and teachers to further promote this goal. Instead of solely limiting itself to informative knowledge or individualistic aspirations, this approach focuses on the entire community.
Nanhe Kalam 𑁋 An initiative to tutor students for Jawahar Navodya Schools
Jawahar Navodya Schools (JNVs) provide a free residential schooling system to enrolled students. Hence, it is an excellent resource for families with limited funds.
However, its admission process requires students to crack an Entrance Exam. This gives an edge to children who can afford Private Coaching Centres. To combat this limitation, SRI came up with a program called Nanhe Kalam, making this process more accessible for students in Government Schools.
It recruits JBT or B.Ed students to tutor Grade V students. This dual mechanism makes both the recruitee and the younger students a part of a progressive community that strives for Self Reliance. Nanhe Kalam strengthens India’s educational platform, making the country more self-reliant.
SRI allows contributions and participation from volunteers in a wide variety of ways. One can choose to be a Field Volunteer, a Marketing Volunteer or a Content Developing Volunteer. They also accept elective donations on their website.
The world would greatly benefit if more of us took initiatives like these and stood up for the marginalised sections in India and around the globe. This would accelerate growth, prosperity and equality. As a new year begins in 2021, we must notice the cracks in our societal systems and mend them together so that the world is a better place to live in 𑁋 for us and the generations to come.
Featured Image Credits – SRI