The pain on my back was a bother, prompted me to visit an orthopaedic in my neighbourhood. As I came out, I saw these two children studying in the streetlamp sitting on the pavement. The nearby garbage dump failed to dissuade the children in their fight to get educated.
Sonali Sau,9, and Rupali Sau, 6, are sisters of lesser gods. Her grandmother is seated nearby as I accompanied my wife, reached her, and sought permission to interact with the kids. The old lady readily agrees. Sonali is a student in Murlidhar school, a walkable distance near Gariahat and is in Class 3. The younger one is in class 1. Covid has rendered her school shut down like all the other educational institutions in the State.
There is one difference, though, most students from affluent families have taken to online classes. The family of these kids don’t even own an electric bulb, let alone a computer or a laptop or an internet connection to top it. An elitist Tea boutique, right opposite their ‘Study Centre’ stands in sharp contrast to the two distinctively different India despite the seven decades plus independence. The indifference of the higher gods and goddesses, a Dakait Kali Bari by their side and a multi-god temple on the opposite pavement seems ironic.
As I engage with the children, they are more cheerful than many I have encountered during the last few days. They are more cheerful than me. The elder sister has taken it upon herself to teach her younger sibling as she wipes the slate and writes the Bengali alphabets, Ka, Kha, Ga, for the small one to repeat. Sonali, the elder one, confidently writes with a pencil in her notebook, frequently keeping an eye on the progress of her little sister, mildly rebuking her for her mistakes.
Cars zoom by, some of them costing nearly a crore. Such a sum could see a hundred children such as Sonali or Rupali become well educated, useful to themselves, their families and our nation.
The grandmother used to sell corns and then switched over to making rotis. Covid has stolen all opportunities, and she is hoping for the lockdown to be over soon. The impact of Covid and the resultant lockdown must be seen to be believed. Rains often cause more hardship to their dwelling, on the pavement with a plastic canopy.
Thankfully, Kolkata seems safe, unlike several parts of India, where the kids’ safety could be a bother. Neither their caste could come in the way of their living.
The government announces grandiose plans, often dreams, largely for those who can afford and are affluent. I asked the child if she would like to have anything. She replied, “Please bring a notebook and a colouring book when you visit next time.” Surely, she has dreams and colourful ones at that.
My eyes were moist, as I promise them to return soon.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
