Noida: A motley group of children, many of whom can be seen weaving in and out of city traffic, selling key chains, pens, flowers or magazines, campaigned for an illiteracy-free society on the 75th Republic Day.
“Most of the kids in my village pick up rags or sell goods at traffic signals. They don’t know maths beyond the cost of their products or English beyond two or three courtesies.My brothers were also school dropouts and could not get good jobs, so they ensured I attended school. I hope my friends, and all other kids, get the right to go to schools,” Rajeshwari Kopala (16) said. A resident of Chaura Raghunathpur village, Rajeshwari, who is studying in class 9 at a government school in the city, wants to grow up to become a teacher.
Like her, Prince (12), who dreams of becoming an army officer when he grows up so that his parents do not have to live in a slum, said, “Education is the only way forward, for me and others like me.”
Around 150 kids from Chaura, Nithari, Morna, and Chaukhandi villages among others participated in the event organised by NGO Challengers Group at Sectors 22 and 107 on Friday.
Street kids also participated in similar programmes organised in other pockets of the city — at some they were gifted books and stationery, at others warm woollens.
In Indirapuram, NGO Nirbhed Foundation gave kids and their parents something special —a lesson on the Constitution of India. “We invited some parents so that they know that boys and girls have equal rights. We have seen that many parents send their boys to schools but aren’t willing to give their daughters a fair chance. To break the barrier, it is important to spread awareness among parents too,” said Nisha, the centre’s in charge.
Twenty-five kids were also invited by the Noida police to the parade ground for a first-hand experience of the Republic Day spirit and fervour. “Any addiction is bad, except addiction for study and diligence, which will take one in the path of success,” police commissioner Laxmi Singh told children at the event.
“Most of the kids in my village pick up rags or sell goods at traffic signals. They don’t know maths beyond the cost of their products or English beyond two or three courtesies.My brothers were also school dropouts and could not get good jobs, so they ensured I attended school. I hope my friends, and all other kids, get the right to go to schools,” Rajeshwari Kopala (16) said. A resident of Chaura Raghunathpur village, Rajeshwari, who is studying in class 9 at a government school in the city, wants to grow up to become a teacher.
Like her, Prince (12), who dreams of becoming an army officer when he grows up so that his parents do not have to live in a slum, said, “Education is the only way forward, for me and others like me.”
Around 150 kids from Chaura, Nithari, Morna, and Chaukhandi villages among others participated in the event organised by NGO Challengers Group at Sectors 22 and 107 on Friday.
Street kids also participated in similar programmes organised in other pockets of the city — at some they were gifted books and stationery, at others warm woollens.
In Indirapuram, NGO Nirbhed Foundation gave kids and their parents something special —a lesson on the Constitution of India. “We invited some parents so that they know that boys and girls have equal rights. We have seen that many parents send their boys to schools but aren’t willing to give their daughters a fair chance. To break the barrier, it is important to spread awareness among parents too,” said Nisha, the centre’s in charge.
Twenty-five kids were also invited by the Noida police to the parade ground for a first-hand experience of the Republic Day spirit and fervour. “Any addiction is bad, except addiction for study and diligence, which will take one in the path of success,” police commissioner Laxmi Singh told children at the event.