SPEAK UP
For most of us, the streets of Mumbai bring to mind images of hawkers and encroachments, but for some these streets represent classrooms.
For most of us, the streets of Mumbai bring to mind images of hawkers and encroachments, but for some these streets represent classrooms. These streets are some children’s only chance for a better life. Theirs is a story that talks of hope and of prosperity in adversity. Every evening after school, the good Samaritans of Asha Kiran Foundation, Juhu, get busy tutoring children from municipal schools to prepare underprivileged kids to make their mark in the mainstream.
What began as a two-children street school at JVPD Scheme Road, has today fanned out to include nine centres and 700 children. That’s more than the strength of an average municipality school. And, the men that made it possible are retired armchair philosophers who wanted to make a difference.
“Our trustees used to feed poor people and do other philanthropic activities. But, then I saw that nothing was being done for the progress of the children,” said K D Sharma, one of the founder members of Asha Kiran Foundation.
A big believer in education as a weapon to reduce social exclusion, Sharma gathered a few of his retired friends from the foundation and started schooling kids on the streets.
“The first roadblock we faced while implementing our idea of free tutorials for underprivileged children was funds to raise a school building and authorisations. Such worries were delaying the process. So, we decided to just start out on the streets,” he added.
Now, this foundation has 35-40 paid teachers and also a large number of volunteers who actively become a part of this noble endeavour. One such teacher is Lalita Narayani, who has been teaching here for the past five years. A retired science teacher, Narayani first came across this group by accident.
“I happened to see this place on my way home one evening and later found out that my neighbour was also working here. I immediately joined them and started teaching,” Narayani said.
She recollects that when she started teaching, the children’s education levels were low. “Most of the children, even 14 or 15 years of age, were not able to read English properly. So, I gave them a little coaching in reading by prescribing interesting books like Harry Potter. Now, our children are big Potter fans,” Narayani added.
Smita Pilgaonkar, a volunteer who started teaching here after she retired from her job at a bank, feels that keeping the kids motivated and away from bad influences is a challenge. “They do go to schools in the morning. But, in the afternoon instead of loitering around and falling into bad company, we make them sit here and teach them. Whatever they grasp, even if it is 10% of what we teach, that is a success for us,” Pilgaonkar said.
Having lived their lives in adversity, these children aspire to touch the skies. “Mere daddy rickshaw chalate hai, lekin jab main badi ho jaoongi toh woh mere Mercedes gaadi main ghoomenge ( My dad is an autorickshaw driver, but when I grow up I will make sure he rides in my Mercedes car),” says Ladli Bhati, a pig-tailed 9-year-old who has been attending these classes for over a year now.
Kriti Sanon avoids posing with rumoured boyfriend Kabir Bahia at Mumbai airport, video goes viral
This is world's most expensive house, twice price of Mukesh Ambani's Antilia, it is located in...
SC to hear today Delhi govt's plea against vesting LG with power to appoint...
Viral video: Girl’s sizzling dance to ‘Taareefan’ song earns praise from netizens, watch
Watch: Elderly couple's heartwarming dance at Mohit Chauhan's Patna concert goes viral
This is India’s most expensive wedding card, made from real gold and silver, it costs Rs…
Viral video: Men’s mid-air stunt, twerk on Mumbai local train leaves netizens in splits, watch
Kartik Aaryan reveals details about his new 'girlfriend': 'Her name is...'
Delhi pollution: Air quality worsens in capital, AQI worst in India at...
Singham Again movie review: Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh's high octane actioner
Pune: 35-year-old man killed by speeding car while bursting firecrackers on Diwali, video surfaces
Shah Rukh Khan makes BIG revelation on his birthday, says he has quit...
‘Against the principles of…’: Vijay-led TVK passes resolution against One Nation One Election
Watch: Two Delhi traffic police personnel dragged for 20 metres, case filed
Delhi-NCR pollution: Targeted measures enforced under GRAP for 16 days from...
AUS vs PAK Live Streaming: When and where to watch Australia vs Pakistan 1st ODI in India?
Viral video: Man casually lies on Delhi metro floor, leaves netizens divided
'No justification for..' J-K CM Omar Abdullah reacts to Srinagar terrorist attack
Who is Sunil Lulla, on whom Sebi imposed Rs 5000000 fine for violating market norms?
This bank's UPI services will NOT work for two days in November due to...; check details
Arjun Kapoor's Ravana overpowers Ajay Devgn's Rama in Rohit Shetty's Ramayana-inspired Singham Again
Shah Rukh Khan spotted wearing one of the most expensive watches in the world, it costs Rs...
Delhi Pollution: National capital's PM 2.5 Levels 13% higher than previous Diwali, reports suggest
J-K: Five injured after terrorists attack Srinagar weekly market with grenades
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance earns Rs 15393 crore during festive season, market cap reaches Rs...
This city that gives maximum number of IAS officers, its not Mumbai, Kolkata, the UPSC hub is...
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's emotional message for people of Wayanad: 'When my brother was facing...'
Margot Robbie welcomes baby boy with husband Tom Ackerley
How can India qualify for WTC final after humiliating whitewash against New Zealand
Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh's baby girl has Sania Mirza connect, Bollywood couple reveals....
Bigg Boss 18: THIS actor replaces Salman Khan, to host reality show for...
WTC 2023-25 points table update after New Zealand's historic Test series win over India
IND vs NZ test: India lose against New Zealand by 25 runs, lost test series at home after…
'Vibe hai': Indonesian siblings 'Dilbar' rendition leaves Big Boss fame amazed
IND vs NZ test: Recap of BGT? Rishabh Pant last hope as India close to whitewash at home after...
Rajpal Yadav loses his cool, snatches journalist's phone, SHOCKING video goes viral
Warch: Land Rover bitten by Hippo, tourists witness intense faceoff as..., video goes viral
Fake IPS officer's epic dance to Bhojpuri song takes internet by storm, watch viral video
WI vs ENG: Shai Hope goes past Babar Azam, Virat Kohli in elite list with 17th ODI century
'If he doesn't resign...': Mumbai police receives threat call for UP CM Yogi Adityanath
IPL 2025: KKR CEO reveals reason that led to Shreyas Iyer's exit from franchise
HM Amit Shah releases BJP's 'Sankalp Patra' for Jharkhand assembly polls
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan recalls when she was announced Miss World 1994: 'We had rehearsals for...'
Drunk UP man call police over 250 grams missing potatoes, demands...,WATCH
Kartik Aaryan says somebody scratched him on the sets of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, he asks ‘if it was…’
Kiran Rao says Aamir Khan knows 'nothing' about son Azad's school: 'When we were married, I was...'
Trouble for Anil Ambani: SEBI issues demand notice of Rs 1540000000 over...
Nvidia to replace rival Intel in Dow Jones indices by November 8
Isha Ambani Vs Eiesha Bharti Pasricha: Know their net worth, college, academic qualifications
Salman Khan remembers designer Rohit Bal, says...
Bigg Boss 18: Salman Khan's Weekend Ka Vaar timing changed, details inside
Bhai Dooj 2024: Date, shubh muhurat, timings, rituals, significance
Delhi AQI touches 400: Many times over WHO limit, pollution in 'severe' category
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan says she rejected Shah Rukh Khan's film because Abhishek Bachchan wasn't...
Four children among six injured in attack on Gaza vaccination centre
IIT students launch dustbin in air using firecracker, WATCH viral video
Happy Bhai Dooj 2024: Top 50 wishes, What'sApp messages, quotes to share with your loved ones
IND vs NZ: Shubman Gill surpasses Cheteshwar Pujara in elite WTC list led by Rohit Sharma
DNA TV Show: Hindus in Bangladesh unite against fundamentalism
‘Another example of…’: MEA on Canada labelling India ‘cyber adversary’