2 Apr :Hamari Kaksha, a drop-out prevention programme where volunteers work with disadvantaged children derailed by issues such as behavioral problems, poor attendance, illiterate parents and repeated failures in class rooms. Most of these children are vulnerable and victims of their circumstances.
Hamari Kaksha teaches them to face disappointment and win. Mr. Ramesh Vinayak, Resident Editor, Hindustan Times, was the Chief Guest, who honored out of school children and drop outs who are first generation learners and displayed rare grit and determination when they joined back the main stream and passed with flying colors. Dr. S.S. Dahiya, Director, SIE, Sector – 32, Chandigarh honored the student volunteers of State Institute of Education, who volunteered to take out time out of their busy academic schedule to teach these children in the evening. Ms. Khushinder Sharma, DEO, Chandigarh Education Department, gave away prizes to out of school children who are ready to go to join the main stream and are thinking of making big despite all odds.
45 out of 100 students were honored. Gift items, stationery and cash prizes were given as motivational incentives. Community at large joined hands with the volunteers of Hamari Kaksha and brought eatables, stationery items as gifts for these children. Volunteers of Prayaas presented the children with school bags and pencil boxes.
Ms. Anuradha Sharma, President of Hamari Kaksha welcomed the guests and said, “In India, we have given equality of opportunity in education to each and every child, but now, the need of the hour is to retain these first generation learners in schools. Mr. Ramesh Vinayak stressed that the need of the hour is that the community, youth, teachers and people with resources to join hands with such organizations to uplift the next generation of children to make India smiling. He applauded the efforts made by student volunteers and said that schools cannot do it alone. It is the responsibility of people at large to work with these socially and economically disadvantaged groups and enhance their capacity to continue their education.
Students presented a colorful show highlighting the problems like child labor and drug addiction, which they face in day to day life. Ms. Sarita Tewari, Secretary, thanked all the guests and said, “The presence of such dignitaries will propel all the volunteers to work for the down trodden with renewed zeal”.