Children at the Gurukul in Latehar on Wednesday. Telegraph picture

Ranchi, April 4: Multi-crore schemes, tenders and processes can take a breather. An idea can well be a game-changer for rebel-hit Latehar’s children.

A Gurukul for around 100 orphans of Naxalite violence and destitute children started at Latehar collectorate today. And wonder of wonders, the man behind it is a bureaucrat, Latehar district deputy commissioner Rahul Purwar.

Chatra MP Inder Singh Namdhari, who inaugurated the stay school, donated Rs 5 lakh from his MP area development fund for what he called “a pioneering effort”.

“Such a humanitarian act is a part and parcel of Indian society, which we are in danger of losing. I commend Purwar and Latehar residents for keeping it alive,” he said.

“Initially, I had planned the Gurukul with 50 children in mind. But I received 100 deserving applicants. None could be refused,” smiled Purwar.

Among them are two brothers, Bandhan Kishan (7) and Shatrughan (6) from Latehar’s Mahudaanr village, who lost their parents to malaria three years ago and were being brought up by a grandmother who could not even afford a square meal a day.

Villagers brought the boys to the Gurukul.

“Yahan khana aur padhai dono milega? (We’ll get both food and education here?)” Bandhan asked in wonder.

The school will educate these children — Purwar wants the identity of those orphaned by Naxalite violence to be kept under wraps — right up to class XII, with exams conducted by Jharkhand Academic Council. Besides studies, the stay school aims to equip the children with useful vocational skill-sets such as carpentry, driving, repair of vehicles, television and electronics gadgets, among others.

The deputy commissioner got the brainwave for the Gurukul from a janta darbar (public hearing) session.

“During one of my block janta darbars, an orphaned boy, who came with his uncle, asked me to aid his education. He really wanted to study. But I couldn’t do anything for him as there wasn’t any scheme to educate and rehabilitate orphans. But his request was an eye-opener. I discussed it with some people and we came up with this idea of Gurukul,” Purwar said, adding that some retired and serving public servants, bankers and businessmen the district backed him.

Funds for the school, the first of its kind in Jharkhand, will come from Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’s innovative education, and individual donors.

It will be run by Red Cross Society, of which Purwar is also the district president.

Latehar district is probably Jharkhand’s worst-hit rebel district. Deep forests offer snug havens for rebels to hide and wage their war against the security forces and people. Often, villagers fall hapless victims to bullets, spawning orphans or children with guardians too poor to feed them.

He added they were rolling out the Gurukul at the government building right now, but had conceived of a separate building later on.

The bureaucrat with a difference was fulsome with his praise for the “amazing volunteer teachers”. “As many as 25 teachers have offered their services for free, that too, after their respective school hours. This apart, 15 retired teachers have promised to take classes. I am humbled at their generosity,” Purwar said.

Incidentally, the Gurukul is also the name of a vocational training institute run by former IITians in Gumla district, inaugurated by chief minister Arjun Munda earlier this year.

Two great ideas, one apt name. Munda and Purwar can indulge in a mutual admiration society.