Patna, May 16: Power officials today imparted education and personality development skills for slum kids.

Classes were conducted for 82 children in three conference halls of Vidyut Bhavan.

It was a happy moment as the kids entered the conference hall on the ground floor of the building. The gesture was an initiative by engineers and officials of the Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited (BSPHCL).

Some parents accompanied the kids and asked a few questions to the "teachers".

BSPHCL chairman-cum-managing director Pratyaya Amrit met the children. He enquired how the children were studying and checked the text books.

As soon as Amrit entered the hall with R. Lakshmanan, the managing director of North Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd, the children expressed their gratitude by saying hello.

"Mechanical engineers taught the children today. It will help them build their confidence. This is a small initiative I have started. Their parents are involved in small work. At this age how many of us had met an IAS officer or sat with executive engineers and assistant engineers?" Amrit said. Though most had come with books, the engineers asked them questions to check their IQ. The cost incurred on the initiative would be borne by these teachers. While senior officials would give Rs 500 per month from their salary, engineers could contribute Rs 100 a month. Classes would be conducted thrice a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday for two hours from 5pm to 7pm.

"We will generate around Rs 25,000 per month and the funds generated through our contribution will be used to provide stationary items and refreshments to the children coming to attend classes. This work is not under the corporate social responsibility and the funding is being done by us and our team," said Amrit.

Miller High School Class V student Shabnam Parvez, expressed happiness and said: "I am happy to be the part of this class. This is the first time I am sitting in such big hall. I wish the classes are held daily."