Open Defecation free village – Dhamkan, Guna
Primary School in Gunogi village whose roof has been broken by an NGO six months ago.
news report in Dainik Jagran newspaper
During a discussion in a camp organised by Soochna Seva team at Gunogi village in Tehri block on 11th May 2015, the locals expressed their concern about the broken roof of a primary school. They reported that an NGO from Dehradoon began reconstruction of the school’s roof about six months ago and till now the school is roofless. The students of primary school have been sharing their classroom with junior high school students and they are subjected to improper environment for studying. Teachers are also facing problems while delivering lectures as students of primary schools create nuisance during class hours and many a times teachers do not come to teach. To make the matter worse, the NGO workers have left the construction tools inside the school’s premise which is a serious concern for locals as they anticipate that the children who play within the school premise might land into trouble someday.
Though Gram Panchayat representative brought the matter forward in block development council (BCD) meeting but no action has taken place so far. As time has passed, locals have become too insecure about the future of the children. Therefore, to help the villagers out our soochna seva team spearheaded the movement to resolve their problem. So,on May 27, 2015 Soochna Seva team visited the education department in Chamba district and spoke with officials. Unfortunately their words were not taken into consideration and the officials did not respond positive.
Renovated roof of the school
The failed attempt aggravated the frustration of the villagers and also Soochna Seva team. So, the team decided to seek help of other means of communication and henceforth went to local community radio station run by an NGO “Henvalvani”.
Letter from Gram Panchayat Representative praising the efforts of Soochna Seva team.
As this community radio broadcasts problems faced by local people in Chamba district and also informs the mass about other affairs, the situation of Gunogi village was worth reporting. So, Block Manager, Rajendra Negi decided to report about the lethargic attitude of the NGO and negligence of education department. This 20-min episode conducted by the radio station killed two birds with one stone as it drew attention of education department also the issue was reported in national newspaper ‘Dainik Jagran’.
With a week, the sleeping NGO woke up and completed the construction. By June 10, 2015 the people of Gunogi village felt a seigh of relief within themselves and students of primary school resumed their classes. The Gram Panchayat representative expressed his heart felt gratitude to Soochna Seva team through a letter which not only backed the spirits of the team but also motivated them to do more good work in forthcoming days.
Related posts
