Manoj Kumar, a 37-year-old mathematics teacher in Patna, has gone a step ahead of the other benevolent academics in helping students achieve their goals. He is teaching differently abled students for free at his coaching centre.
The centre, Bashishth Narayan Singh School of Mathematics, runs from a small rented room on Bazaar Samiti Road. One batch at the institute is dedicated to differently abled students (with limb problems) who are not charged any money for the classes. There are 30 students in this special batch.
He said: “I have had many students at my centre from the very beginning. But I was not content with only teaching students and earning money. I decided to start a batch for differently abled students at my coaching centre.”
Kumar is now reaping the rewards of his decision. “I can’t tell you how satisfied I am with my job. Now, I feel like I am contributing something to the society,” he said.
Explaining how the classes are organised, the teacher said: “Two classes are held in a week for this special batch — on Sundays and Wednesdays — from 11am to 1pm.”
Students who benefit from the benevolence are very happy.
Anurag Chandra, 20, who is preparing for IIT-JEE at Kumar’s institute, is all praises for his mentor.
“He is a good Samaritan. Even if I thank him hundred times for teaching us for free, it would not be enough,” said Chandra.
He added: “My father is also a teacher at a private school in Bali (a village in Madhepura district). I am preparing for IIT-JEE. It would not have been possible for my father to bear my education expenses in Patna as all the coaching centres here charge high fees.”
The respect is mutual as the teacher feels his students dedicated to their studies.
Rakesh Kumar, another student of this special batch, said: “I am really proud of Manoj Sir. I hope he inspires people to take up similar projects.”
Kumar, however, feels that he has a long way to go. Revealing his future plans, the teacher said: “Very soon, I shall start an Olympiad training centre specially for differently abled students. I shall prepare the students for mathematics Olympiads. I have had discussions with mathematician and Ranchi University teacher K.C. Prasad on this issue. He has agreed to take special classes at the centre.”
