IndiaCSR News Network
SINGRAULI: Dressed in crisp, bright school uniforms and carrying their school bags, over 250 other students from the three villages in Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh – Amiliya, Budher and Suggu – attend the nearby Government School adopted by Mahan Coal Ltd.
A Dream Then, A Reality Now
Smt. Kismatiya Prajapati, mother of one of the beneficiary children 8years-old Sumitra Prajapati, who earns a monthly widow pension of Rs. 1,000 from Mahan Coal Ltd, had never dreamt of educating her child in a school with no leaking roof, working fans or cemented classroom floors. However, Mahan Coal Ltd has made that happen. Her daughter is today learning to read and write in a good and well-equipped environment. “I want to educate my child properly and my desire is to see her become a doctor or an engineer. Before Mahan Coal Ltd adopted the school, it lacked basic amenities and proper infrastructure. My daughter enjoys going to school now and I see my dream coming true,” says Kismatiya.
Speaking on the initiatives of Mahan Coal Ltd in promoting children’s education and primary healthcare in Singrauli district, CEO Ramakant Tiwari said, “Child education is one of the essential pillars for the overall development of society.” However, these three villages – Amiliya, Budher and Suggu – lacked the basic educational facilities for children. We have tried to fill in this gap by collaborating with the government and adopting the schools in these villages. Our collaboration aims at improving the quality of education to underprivileged children across rural pockets and lays special importance on education for the girl child and children from marginalized communities.”
Partners in Progress
As part of the initiative, Mahan Coal Ltd has renovated three government schools in Amiliya, Budher and Suggu village that were in a dilapidated condition with leaking roofs and broken floors. Construction of the boundary wall, redoing of the entire roofing and flooring with cement and concrete, putting up new fans, doors and locks has led to better environment for both teachers and students. Also, the free supply of uniforms, schools bags and shoes has instilled a sense of purpose and confidence among the children.
Shri Ashok Shukla, the Block Level Co-ordinator of Rashtriya Saaksharta Mission said, “Mahan Coal Ltd’s school adoption programme around the three villages is a great example of public-private partnership. The impact of this change initiative is discernable. The school looks transformed with children getting learning material like text books, school bags and furnished classrooms. The villagers are happy to send their children to the school because of the development.”
Mahan Coal Ltd has also initiated Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations in the school by way of distribution of sweets, chocolates and other gifts. Additionally, Mahan Coal Ltd has decided to open a new school that will impart education in English medium from the session of 2014.
