HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, May 19: “The involvement of non-government organisations is essential for the upliftment of government schools,” as highlighted by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria during a program organised by Rotary Club of Guwahati Metro. Governor Kataria emphasised the importance of timely completion of necessary improvements in schools, which might otherwise be delayed due to lengthy government processes.
Speaking on the occasion of the renovation of Arya Pathshala located in Rehabari, Governor Kataria commended the efforts of Rotary Club of Guwahati Metro in renovating the school. He stressed that while the club has undertaken the renovation, it is now the responsibility of teachers to ensure its maintenance. Additionally, he urged club members to inspect the school periodically and provide necessary support as needed.
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Established before independence in 1935, Arya Pathshala is a government provincial Assamese primary school located in the heart of Guwahati. Rotary Club of Guwahati Metro has transformed it into a ‘Happy School’.
On Sunday, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, graced the inauguration ceremony as the chief guest. His presence at the event, despite his busy schedule, underscores his profound commitment to education.
Governor Kataria expressed his appreciation for the Rotary Club of Guwahati Metro for their outstanding social work in transforming the school into a ‘Happy School’. This initiative, aimed at creating an environment where students feel happy and proud to attend, is a testament to the club’s commitment to enhancing education and promoting community development.
Following the renovation, the ‘Happy School’ has witnessed a significant reduction in student dropout rates and absenteeism. The project focused on reviving key areas of school infrastructure, including clean drinking water facilities, repairs and painting of desks and benches, renovation of classrooms, modern toilet facilities with separate facilities for boys and girls, developing areas for playing and gardening, and overall painting of the school.
With a total cost exceeding Rs 10 lakh, this school has now become the model primary school of the state, serving as an example of excellence in education infrastructure.
It’s notable that there’s a significant migration of people from villages to Guwahati city in search of employment opportunities. Many of them work for low wages and find it challenging to afford education for their children in private schools. Despite the government’s considerable spending on schools, there remains a pressing need for local communities and international social clubs like Rotary and Lions to step forward and improve the infrastructure of government schools.
The Governor also commended other projects undertaken by the club, including providing artificial legs, offering three months of sewing machine training to economically backward women in groups of ten, subsequently providing them with free sewing machines, organising cancer detection and health check-up camps, and planting fruit-bearing grafted plants along roadsides, along with various other social initiatives.
The renovation work at Arya Pathshala was made possible with the generous contributions of club president Rtn RP Sureka and vice president Vijay Jasrasaria, whose support enabled the club to successfully complete this project and make a positive impact on the local community.
The dedicated efforts of Rtn Bijay Saraf, chairman of community service, Rtn Ashok Kumar Goyal, and Rtn Ravi Dutta played pivotal roles in bringing the dream of the Happy School to fruition. Their commitment and hard work contributed significantly to the success of the project.
During the inauguration ceremony, Rtn RP Sureka, president of Rotary Club of Guwahati Metro, announced a mega project undertaken by the club as an implementing agency under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of IOC Ltd. This project involves providing smart vision glass, a device powered by Artificial Intelligence, which will be transformative for blind students. With the ability to read books in 73 regional languages and English in an Indian accent, among other features, this project promises to be life-changing. Rtn Sureka also lauded the efforts of Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, director of Social Justice & Empowerment, government of Assam, for his dedication in compiling and providing the list of beneficiaries for this project.
Additionally, the club has initiated registration for another project aimed at providing functional artificial hand limbs (LN4) manufactured in the USA. This initiative will enable beneficiaries to perform day-to-day tasks smoothly. Rtn Sureka encouraged individuals with hand sizes below the elbow exceeding 4 inches to register for this project at Jaipur Foot, GMC Road, Kachari Basti, Ganeshguri, Guwahati.
The success of the inauguration ceremony was made possible by the diligent efforts of the inaugural committee members, including Rtn Arun Sharma, Rtn Dinesh Mangalunia, Rtn Satish Kasera, Rtn Rajeev Chandak, and other members of the club. The meeting was attended by dignitaries, rotarians, students, and members of society.
Rtn SL Agarwal delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the commitment of all Rotary members to social responsibility, which exemplifies the Rotary motto of ‘Service Above Self’.
