Abhinav Gupta (right) offers computer tips to an inmate of Cheshire Home, Bariatu, in Ranchi on Sunday. Pix: Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Dec. 28: When Abhinav Gupta stepped in to teach his class of eager computer learners, there was not much of an age difference between the teacher and the students.

Another interesting aspect of the class was that the young man, a Class XII student from Lawrence Hill School, New Jersey, was teaching special children at Cheshire Home, Bariatu.

Abhinav (16), who is here for Christmas holidays with his doctor parents Geeta and Avinash, said it was his first visit to Cheshire Home.

“After watching the courage and determination of the inmates, I decided to teach them computers,” he confessed.

Born and brought up in the US, Gupta visits India almost every year. “This is the first time I thought of utilising my time in community service in my own city. When we visited the Home for Christmas celebrations, I expressed my willingness to teach them computers and also give valuable tips to those preparing for their matriculation exams,” said Abhinav.

Through the week, he has taught the inmates how to play computer games, download songs and work on PowerPoint and Microsoft Word.

And the students could not have been happier.

Physically challenged Dharmendra Ram (16), who is preparing for his matric exams from Albert Memorial High School, said that he always had a keen desire to learn computers.

“Even though a computer was lying in the vocational training centre, we were eagerly awaiting someone who could teach us how to use it,” Ram said.

“Abhinav has taught us how to download songs and also play different games. In our spare time, we can work on computers and I am also planning to teach the basics to other inmates who were unable to learn due to the time crunch.”

Raju Horo, a student considered to be very talented among his friends here, said: “After learning the basics of computer, I have decided to learn animation programmes. Abhinav has promised to teach me these when he visits India next time.”

Physically challenged Santosh Baitha, too, received a lot of encouragement from the trip. “My ambition is to become computer engineer, for which I will be studying hard,” Baitha added. Abhinav taught grammar and held some spoken English classes, too.

“As the board exams are approaching, I am helping the students to revise their English syllabus which will be useful for them. I found that the inmates are very intelligent. They picked up whatever I taught quickly,” Abhinav said.

Cheshire Home in-charge Sister Teresita expressed her gratitude.

“Although we had purchased computers, there was no teacher. When Abhinav approached me for this noble work, I was thrilled that at least for a week, my children would pick up the basics. Later, we can keep a regular computer teacher,” she said.

However, not all will end when Abhinav returns to his school next week.“I will share my experience with my class mates and also write something about the inmates here,” said the aspiring computer engineer, who sure brought smiles this festive season.