In stories, we have all heard about Patal Lok, which is considered a place where demons reside—a place of fear and terror. But do you know that there is a place in Bharat that is exactly the opposite?
In the heart of Bharat lies this beautiful valley, surrounded by hills. Patalkot is a valley lying deep below ground level in Chhindwara district. This place had long remained cut off from the outside world and was discovered only a few years ago. Patalkot is home to Janajatiya people and their long-standing sanskriti. Away from mainstream society, the region lacked resources for development. But today, a gradual change is taking place with the help of Ekal Vidyalayas.
Ekal Vidyalaya is providing education to the children of Patalkot and bringing them to the forefront of society. While protecting their long-standing traditions, Ekal Vidyalaya is also nurturing them by providing sanskritik knowledge and developing a sense of patriotism towards the nation.
Today, with the help of Ekal Vidyalaya, Patalkot — where there were previously no means of education and people were confined to their villages — is witnessing a transformation. People are progressing in society, receiving education and illuminating the future of themselves and their communities.
Student of Ekal Becomes a Teacher
Born into a poor family, Manisha’s financial condition was very difficult. Her father was frequently ill, which made it extremely difficult for him to support the family. Manisha has two brothers. As she was a girl, her parents did not focus much on her education, but Manisha had a strong desire to study.
Manisha belongs to Shamshabad village, under the Nehtaur cluster (Sanch), Najibabad region (Anchal), Saharanpur division (Bhag), Western Uttar Pradesh division (Sambhag). When the Sanch Pramukh casually asked Manisha which class she was studying in, she could not answer. Her father then explained that he was unable to afford her education. Upon hearing this, the Sanch Pramukh declared that Ekal Abhiyan would take full responsibility for her education.
From the very next day, Manisha began attending the Ekal Vidyalaya. Impressed by her dedication, committee members supported her, enabling Manisha to complete her graduation, and she continues her studies to this day. Later, the position of an Ekal teacher (Acharya) became vacant in her village. The local committee initiated the selection process for a new teacher, and Manisha was selected for the role. Today, Manisha works diligently and passionately as a teacher in her village.
Patalkot, a place known for its lush green hills, peaceful surroundings and Janajatiya communities. But today, we will tell the story of a transformation that has opened a new path to education.
Nestled among the forests and hills of Patalkot is the village of Tamia. Here stands an Ekal Vidyalaya, where education and social transformation are coming together. These schools have been established in remote villages where access to education is difficult.
Ekal Vidyalaya is based on a unique model in which a single teacher teaches multiple classes. Here, the teacher not only provides academic education but also introduces children to important values and life skills.
Former Student of Ekal Becomes an Ekal Teacher
When Sarla Kumari was five years old, she was eager to go to school and study. She used to accompany her elder brother to a government school without being enrolled. One day, a teacher at the school sent Sarla back home because she was not enrolled.
Deeply saddened by this, Sarla began to cry. Seeing her cry, her father asked why she was upset, and Sarla told him what had happened. Her father explained that she was not yet old enough to enrol in school, as she was only five years old, and that she would be enrolled in a government school only after turning six.
As it happened, Sarla’s father was associated with Ekal Vidyalaya. An Ekal Vidyalaya teacher (Acharya) visited Sarla’s father for some work while Sarla was crying and insisting on being enrolled in school. Seeing Sarla crying, the Ekal teacher asked why she was upset. Upon learning the reason, the Ekal teacher warmly urged Sarla and her father to send her to study every day from 4 PM to 7 PM, assuring them that she could enrol in the Ekal Vidyalaya.
There is a new sense of hope on the faces of these children. Through these small steps, they are dreaming of moving in a new direction without losing touch with the roots of their village. Children who once knew nothing about books are now learning numbers, writing poems in Hindi, reciting mantras, and learning through sports and music.
Here, every child is given a voice, and their creativity is encouraged. The ideas and imagination of these children have the potential to help them achieve something great in the future. The people of the village are now experiencing this transformation. The teachers of Ekal Vidyalaya and the families of the children are together on this journey. They understand that education is the most important means of securing a bright and better future for their children.
Former Ekal Vidyalaya Student Becomes a Soldier
A former student of Ekal Vidyalaya, Shri Arijit Mandal, has joined the BSF. He is a resident of Sagar Madhavpur village in the Pathar Pratima block of South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.
Shri Buddhadev Mandal’s son, Shri Arijit, studied at Ekal Vidyalaya and achieved the distinction of becoming a brave soldier. In 2001, he enrolled in the Ekal Vidyalaya in his village, Madhavpur. After studying at Ekal Vidyalaya, he enrolled in high school in 2005. He passed his secondary examination in 2012 and his higher secondary examination in 2014.
He is now serving in the BSF. At present, he is undergoing one year of training in Amritsar, Punjab, which is scheduled to be completed on April 15, 2022.
It is natural to feel proud of such a former Ekal Vidyalaya student. Ekal’s education awakened in him a sense of responsibility to pursue further studies, and he has now chosen to serve the nation by putting his life at stake and joining the BSF.
Ekal Vidyalaya is not just a school; it is a symbol of hope. It is the hope that one day, these children will not only show a new direction to their village but to the entire nation. And this is not merely the story of one school. It is the story of our collective efforts to move towards a better tomorrow.
