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When a police station transgresses into a classroom

Children walking in and out of the police station, reciting poems, learning about life and making the place their second home. This might sound strange but this is the daily scenario at the Roop Nagar police station in North Delhi. Apart from Roop Nagar; Timarpur and Sabzi mandi also bear the same look. The store room has been converted into a makeshift classroom where women constables Shiva, Nisha Yadav and Bhavna teach slum children in the area.

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Police officer Shiva with the slum children she teaches at the Roop Nagar police station
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Children walking in and out of the police station, reciting poems, learning about life and making the place their second home. This might sound strange but this is the daily scenario at the Roop Nagar police station in North Delhi. Apart from Roop Nagar; Timarpur and Sabzi mandi also bear the same look. The store room has been converted into a makeshift classroom where women constables Shiva, Nisha Yadav and Bhavna teach slum children in the area.

Rohit Roy, a 14-year old makes sure he doesn't miss his tuition class and comes to Roop Nagar police station regularly. "I have been coming here for the last few months. My mother is a domestic help and my father is a car driver and they don't have enough money to afford my tuitions," he says.

"I want to do well in life and make my parents proud. Initially I was scared to come to the police station as we could see criminals and police officers but after my teacher explained I am comfortable."
Thirty eight children including 18 girls come for the tuition from 2pm-6pm.

First batch which arrives is for younger children and then post 4pm the batch is for senior children.

The children celebrate all major festivals at their police station classroom and decorate it themselves. The classroom is decorated with drawings made by the children when a drawing competition is organized. The teachers also conduct weekly tests of the students.

Its just not about textbooks but children here are also taught on how they should stay away from anti-social elements, made aware about juvenile crime. The girls are also told about good touch and bad touch and why and how to report a crime. The women constables go door-to door and keep a tab on every child. The children are also made aware about technology and usage of mobile phone and internet.

Infact when they do not come to the class regularly their parents are phoned up to make sure they are present. The women officers also face challenges as sometimes the parents are carefree about their child studying or not, hence a deliberate, self dedicated and a collaborate effort is made. WC Shiva a 2010 batch officer cuts through all odds and travels from Baghpat everyday to teach these kids. "We do law and order arrangements as well but this tuition centre holds close place in my heart. We do not want the kids to engage in any criminal activity and moreover all of them aspire to be something in life and if we can help them achieve it then nothing like it," said Shiva.
                                   
Nisha teaches at the Sabzi Mandi police station and has 35 kids at her centre "I really like teaching the children about technology and other subjects. they can be independent and have a secured future. I have been asking the parents from economically backward section to send their kids for basic education in English and other subjects. A new session is going to start from 3rd January and 20-25 children have enrolled for it," she said.

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