SHIKSHA SAMBHAL PROGRAM SAVED MY EDUCATION, POOJA LOHAR

Vedanta Khushi brings you a story about Pooja who had lost hope to get her desired subjects in a school of her village. Shiksha Sambhal helped her regain her confidence and build her education.

Pooja Lohar, a brilliant student from Gulabpura, Rajasthan did not have to face challenges other students in deep rural villages of the country have to, in terms of getting quality education viz. getting qualified & experienced teachers and good infrastructure in schools. The biggest problem comes to students of class 10th to 12th who have their future on line. But for Pooja, things weren’t difficult; it was a smooth sail through all odds. She stayed back in her village like her friends and pursued studies in the subject of her choice without joining coaching classes and paying handsome fees for the preparation of exam.

When Pooja was in 9th Class, she decided to take up the science subject. Because of the large family and low income of her father, she was not enrolled in private schools or was sent to the city to continue her studies in desired subjects. So, she started searching for a school that could provide her favorite Physics, Chemistry and Maths as a combination in the vicinity of her village itself. Eventually, she joined Govt. Senior Secondary School Hurda where free remedial classes were arranged under Siksha Sambal Program by Vedanta Hindustan Zinc for 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th class students preparing them for Rajasthan Board Examination.

These classes are taken up by well-qualified teachers appointed by Vedanta Hindustan Zinc from nearby villages who are educated unemployed rural youths struggling to get jobs, in spite of getting good degrees.

Things were not easy when her elder brother Kamlesh Lohar use to study. “With Vedanta Hindustan Zinc’s, intervention, practical labs, library, playground, computer lab and even proper class rooms are constructed in the school for overall development of the students” Kamlesh says. “There were no such facilities like choice of subjects, well-qualified teachers and good infrastructure during my time, but I am happy that my sister got the opportunity to choose her subjects. She has brought pride to our house by getting honoured with Gargi Prize from Rajasthan Government for scoring 76.60 in class 12th, “he added.

While living up her dream, Pooja is currently pursuing B.Sc - IInd Year from Shri Pragya Mahavidhyalya, Bijangar.

Pavan Kaushik, Head – Corporate Communication informed, “Vedanta Hindustan Zinc has been organizing free remedial classes through Siksha Sambal Program for special subjects like Maths, Science, Political Science, English and Accounts in 50 Government Schools benefiting over 1200 rural and tribal students. The project has been running successfully in 4 districts of Rajasthan - Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Rajsamand and Udaipur”.