Nearly 100 students compelled to cross river to reach school in Gujarat

Nearly 100 students have to swim across a river everyday to attend a school in Gujarat.

Boys and girls from 16 tribal villages in Narmada District swim across the 600 metre wide River Hiran and then walk for another five kilometres to reach the Utavadi Village where the nearest school is located.

While crossing the river, they carry a large vessel that helps them to stay afloat and contains their uniform and bags. But girls are forced to go through their classes with wet uniforms throughout the day.

"Nearly 100 to 125 students from Utavadi, Tilwadi, Daboi, Rajpipal go to study. There is river in their way. Students face a lot of problems," said a villager, Narpat Singh Chauhan.

One guardian, who volunteers to ensure that they reach school safely, accompanies them. The villagers have been appealing for the last seven years to construct a bridge over the river but to no avail.