The Beginning
In June 2021, Durgapur Adda Young Association (DAYA) ran “Aharjo Canteen” at Durgapur Rail Station bus stand, whereby lunch was distributed at 10 INR. It was lockdown time and locals, whose source of earning chiefly was begging was in a dire state. The 10 INR meals used to have adequate rice, dal, vegetable and egg curry. The canteen ran uninterruptedly for 31 days, till the lockdown was lifted.
DAYA members noticed that many small children used to flock in taking the 10 INR lunch. Talking with them it came to be known that most are school dropouts and some are even addicted to various forms of drug.
About The Place
Most of the kids there don’t even have a proper house and sleep on open platform. Those having a house in the nearby slum, adjacent to the large canal carrying garbage water, also lives in the most unhygienic of conditions. Getting a proper food twice a day is a big asks to them.
The Planning
For a proper planning, a proper survey is very much essential. A 3 member team of DAYA made a survey and enrolled the names of about 25 students between the ages of 6 to 13.
After talking with Durgapur Station manager, we decided to start the Jeevan Path Kendra in the open space inside the building that houses the advance railway booking counter.
Railway authorities made arrangement for proper lighting. Local RPF officers ensured full support.
Inauguration
No there was no inauguration ceremony as such. But in the presence of our members, on 26th July 2021, “Jeevan Path Kendra – 2″ (Life learning Centre) was started its journey.
Initial Days
The “Jeevan Path Kendra – 2” initially was running 4 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday). The timing was from 6 pm to 8 pm in the evening.
After that nutritious dinner was provided to all the students.
Initially it was decided to make them learn Bengali alphabets and counting numbers.
Present Status
As the local government school opened up after lockdown, some students who have their names enrolled in those schools stopped coming to “Jiban Path Kendra”.
The local bazaar committee has provided us with their office for organizing the classes.
In recent time we have made several key changes.
We have now given more emphasis to make them learn English. This decision was taken, firstly because the students will definitely be in an advantageous position if they become somewhat adapted to English; how can we deny the advantage of knowing English in our society.
The number of students is now 20 odd.
The “Jeevan Path Kendra” now runs, 5 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday). The timing remained same.