Recently, a video got viral on social media, where children were seen crying for a policeman who was getting transferred from their area. The heartbroken children, with teary eyes, were bidding farewell to the police personnel who was teaching them since four years. But now, the GRP cop is leaving Unnao as he is transferred to Civil Police in Jhansi. This was very sad news for the 125 students of Unnao living near the GRP City Thana, who he was teaching.
But, this sad episode has a beautiful and inspiring story behind it. Of how a hero is born from amongst us. Head Constable Rohit Kumar, 2005 batch, is one such hero. He started an initiative, ‘Har Hath Mein Kalam Pathshala’, almost four years ago on his own. A journey that started with teaching five children and has reached 125 students till now.
Indian Masterminds interacted with Head Constable Rohit Kumar, who is now posted in Civil Police Jhansi, and got more information about his inspiring journey.
HOW IT STARTED
After seeing children of underprivileged families begging in trains and engaged in child labour, 38-year-old Rohit Kumar started teaching them in an open air school, naming it ‘Har Hath Mein Kalam Pathshala’. It was voluntary effort and he conducts classes after his duty hours. He did not only start this initiative but also invested money from his salary on it, and is still doing it.
Rohit told Indian Masterminds that this beautiful story started in the year 2018, when his posting was at Unnao City GRP Police Station. “In those days, when I used to travel from Unnao to Rae Bareli, the first station on the way was Korari Halt, 10 Km from Unnao. There I used to see a large number of small children begging, working, or just roaming around. That’s when I thought of doing something for these children and this initiative was born.”
After duty, Rohit used to go to the homes of those children, meet their guardians, and explain to them why education is important. It was difficult, but with persistent efforts, he was able to take their consent for teaching their children. In September 2018, he started teaching the children under a tree in the neighbourhood of the station and named it ‘Har Hath Mein Kalam Pathshala’.
SPENDS HIS SALARY ON IT
Rohit further said that he started with five kids and gradually the number started going up as more kids joined his open air classes. Gradually people started noticing the classes and came forward to support him. “We then got the children admitted in a primary school nearby. Books were also arranged for them. They would go to school and after it get over, they would come to study with us.”
As the children grew, Rohit felt that it was necessary to involve more people in the initiative. “Sometimes I had duty during the day and sometimes at night. Therefore, I hired two teachers so that there should not be any hindrance in the education of the children. I started paying them salary from my own salary money. Even today I give them 2 thousand rupees every month.” In this way, Rohit spends 8 thousand every month on this initiative.
HELP CAME
It is said that if you are doing something good, then God sends many people to help you. Same happened with Rohit. “It used to rain many times, so we could not hold classes under the tree. So we rented a place nearby. The then District Panchayat Raj Officer (DPRO) of Unnao, Rajendra Prasad, came to know about this initiative and offered a panchayat office for classes, about 7 to 8 hundred meters away. So, we shifted there and till now classes are being conducted there.”
Seeing Rohit’s hard work and dedication, more people volunteered to join him and came forward to help him, including many GRP police personnel who used to come and take classes for the kids. And, now, there are 6 teachers in total,out of which four of them teach for free and two are paid salary by Rohit.
BACKGROUND
Rohit Kumar belongs to Mudaina village, Bharthana Thana, Etawah district. He completed his graduation (B.Sc.) from Etawah. Then, he did MA while on his job. He has 4 sisters. He is married with one son and two daughters. His father Chandra Prakash Yadav retired from Air Force as a corporal in 1983. Both his paternal and maternal grandfatherswere freedom fighters.
Even his father had opened a school in his home town Etawah and teaches children of poor farmers. But, after sometime, he could not continue it. So, Rohit is, in a way, fulfilling his father’s dream now.
SILVER COMMENDATION DISC
Senior officers of UP Police are also very impressed with this wonderful initiative of Rohit, as it has not only shown UP Police in a positive light but has also inspired everyone in the force to do better. That is why the DGP of UP has announced that he would be given the Silver Commendation symbol in view of his good work.
UP Police’s official Twitter handle tweeted, “Beyond the call of duty. A laudable effort by HC Rohit Yadav who while on duty, identified children indulging in beggary on the platform & started a DIY classroom for them under a tree. DGP UP has announced ‘Silver Commendation Disc’ for his transformational efforts.”
It is worth mentioning here that the Police Commissioner’s Commendation Disc (Gold, Silver & Bronze) Awards are on the lines of Central Armed Police Forces awards to boost the morale of their personnel. These awards are presented to police personnel who have excelled in their fields.
In conclusion, Rohit told Indian Masterminds that he will continue this school from wherever he is posted and visit it whenever he gets a chance. “I will not stop this school until all the children get educated. In fact, I am thinking of starting the same initiative in all my places of posting.”
