Bimal Das gives tuition to children. Picture by Snehamoy Chakraborty

He holds a pliant bamboo stick in his hand as he takes classes. But it is not to beat his students into submission.

It is to send a message: “Be flexible like this stick. Bend but don’t break”.

Bimal Das, 25, a resident of Udaypur village in Rampurhat I block in Birbhum district, holds a master’s degree in English. He is a private tutor who earns around Rs 6,000 per month.

He is popular in his village, 225km from Calcutta, as the “local guardian” of poor students. He is also their role model.

Born into a poor family, Das spots out talented students from financially backward families at Udaypur and the neighbouring villages and gives them free lessons to prepare them for the Madhyamik and Higher Secondary examinations. This year, two brothers from Udaypur passed the Higher Secondary with more than 70 per cent marks. Last year, a girl from a poor family passed Madhyamik examination with 78 per cent with him as her tutor.

“This is only my hobby. I feel happy when the poor and backward students show good results. I will continue my effort forever,” says Das, taking a break from teaching English grammar.

Das accepts money only from students whose families can afford it, he says, because he has to look after his father, who is ill, and his family.

The students he has coached say it would have been impossible for them to have done well without “Bimalda”.

This year Monotosh Let and Banshidhar Let obtained 82 per cent and 73 per cent respectively in the Higher Secondary exam in the Arts stream.

Their father Haradhan Let, a day wage labourer who earns Rs 2,500 a month, says: “My two sons have been studious from their childhood. But after Madhyamik, I found myself unable to afford their education and asked them to try to get a job.”

When Das came to know about the problem, he went to the Lets’ home and told Haradhan that his decision was “wrong”.

“I knew the brothers were good students. I sat with their father and asked him about his problem. He told me about his financial situation. I took over as their tutor.”

Monotosh, with 82 per cent marks, is the highest mark-holder in his village and neighbouring villages so far.

“I could achieve this only because Bimalda took responsibility of my education. I shall study English as I enjoy the language,” says Monotosh, his face lit up with a wide smile.

Das started his work when he was an undergraduate student of English honours at Sainthia Avedanada college.

He teaches about 85 students now. He doesn’t accept fees from one third of the students.

“I am trying to get a job. Now I take fees only to run my family and for the treatment of my father who suffers from a chronic disease. If I get a job, I shall coach all students free of cost,” says Das.

He decided on his life’s mission when he was in school.

When Das had passed class VIII, his father, who was ill, suggested he leave school to work. His two elder brothers had already started working as day wage earners.

Das protested strongly and told his father that he would work for the family, but would not quit school.

“And my fight began,” says Das.

He worked as a labourer in a stone mine area three days a week — during weekends and a school day — till he passed Madhyamik examination. He used to carry boulders on his head.

“Now it is difficult to think about how I struggled. Working the entire day, I would return home with Rs 80. During summer or puja vacations I worked for the entire seasons to save some money to save for examination time. I don’t want any poor student to face what I did,” says Das.