Classes in progress at Ramakrishna Mission in Patna. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, June 16: For Kanchan Kumari (6), daughter of a rag picker from Lohanipur slum, education was a distant dream until she became a part of the Bal Vikas Kendra model of Gajadhar Abhyuday Prakalpa of Ramakrishna Mission.

She is not alone; many like her are reaping the benefits of the unique programme introduced by the organisation at their branch on Nala Road in 2006.

Swami Ekadevananda, an official of Ramakrishna Mission, said: “Since most of the children who come here belong to underprivileged families, where education is not a top priority, we thought of ways to make these people understand its importance. Initially, we introduced a milk distribution system under which children got milk for free. In a short span of time, a large number of children came here.”

He added: “Once the children of the neighbourhood started coming to the centre, we asked them about their education. It was shocking to know that none of them went to any school. Then, we thought of providing the basic education and imparting moral values to them. We asked these children to come to the centre everyday between 4pm and 7pm. Slowly, the number of children attending these classes increased. At present, we have around 124 children who come here to get basic education.”

The success of this model has inspired other centres of the organisation in Muzaffarpur, Chhapra, and Katihar to take it up. Last year, branches of Ramakrishna Mission all over the country started adopting the programme. By 2014, the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, all its centres in India would implement this programme. The success of the programme has also prompted the Union government to allocate Rs 100 crore to Ramakrishna Mission. The funds would be used for the uplift of not only children but also others in the underprivileged sections of society.

The children are taught prayers, physical exercise, yoga and extracurricular activities like music and sports at the Bal Vikas Kendra here. They are also taught moral values, respect for elders and duty towards society. They are provided nutritious food and milk at the centre. Regular health check-ups are conducted. The children are also helped to enroll in government schools so that they can get certificates and make a living.

“Once the children know the basics, we make an affidavit and help them take admission in schools, as many of them do not have birth certificates,” Swami Ekadevananda said.

The children, however, find the atmosphere at the ashram more attractive. Payal, a student of the programme who got admission in Ravindra Balika School, said: “I enjoy studying here (Bal Vikas Kendra) more than I do at my school. We feel free to ask any question we want to.”

Most teachers at the programme are volunteers. K.C. Kundu, a teacher at the programme for the past five years, said: “I love to spend my time with these children. They are very dedicated and curious to know a lot of things.”