Children studying at Sarvahitey centre supported by Gurugram CJM
Para-Legal Volunteers, usually, provide legal aid to those in need thus removing barriers into access to justice. But what if we told you that they are also instrumental in imparting elementary education to children from marginalized sections of society. This happened in Gurugram at the behest of the Chief Judicial Magistrate Mr. Narender Singh.
When CJM Narender Singh came to know about the efforts of an NGO, Sarvahitey, teaching children dwelling in slums he decided to aide them in the effort. By enrolling the volunteers as PLVs, he made sure that the volunteers teaching the children were duly motivated and dedicated toward the teaching project.
Talking over the phone, Narender Singh said, "Anyone could be enrolled as a PLV so we decided to enroll these volunteers. The PLVs are granted Rs. 450 and Rs. 100 for travelling and other expense. The PLVs, specially the ones working with Sarvahitey, are usually college going students. These students, when paid for their efforts, feel more motivated and work with replenished enthusiasm."
We also spoke to one of the Sarvahitey founders Sanskriti Srivastava, who informed us that since they have started teaching the kids in the adjoining slum areas, 30 children who had dropped out of school have joined back.
Upon asking Narender Singh about his motivation behind supporting these initiatives, he elaborated that earlier he worked in the Mewat district of Haryana, which is considered to be one of the most backward districts of Haryana, and had taken up similar projects there to improve the living conditions of the people. He said that the Gurugram DLSA also supports other NGOs like Agrasar, Sehgal Foundation, Empower People etc.
The programme run by Narender Singh, aptly named 'Seclusion to Inclusion, aims to bring inclusivity to that population which is on the margins of the society. As part of this programme, they educate lactating women about health practices and inform them about Anganbaari schemes, vaccinations etc. He also said that even though Gurugram has been declared an open defecation free, but it is far from reality. The location where Sarvahitey works, has close to 3000 to 3500 slum dwellers with no access to toilets. He said that they are trying to take up the matter with MCG and make movable toilets available for these dwellers.
Abhay Jindal, a volunteer at Sarvahitey, said that the support from the Gurugram CJM has motivated them more to put in their best efforts. He also said that as a volunteer he can see the difference education can make to the lives of the marginalized children up and close.
While RTE Act of 2009 came into force in 2010, the realization of free and compulsory education for all is far from reality. Within such context, efforts by CJM Narender Singh is indeed a positive example of how authorities and common public can come together to make literacy a reality for the marginalized.
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