“I love to read, I believe that everyone should have an equal right to education. Whether it is handicapped or poor boys and girls. This is to say, 18 year old Upendra Yadav of Chatra (Jharkhand). Currently he is studying in class XII and his dream is to become an IAS. But even studying till class XII was not easy for him. Let us tell you, Upendra is disabled with right hand and foot since childhood.
Despite this, he himself reads. Along with this, he has also started the work of teaching about 60 poor children of the villages around him, free of cost. The education of all these children was stopped during the Corona period, because they did not have mobile to take online classes. But today, all these kids are learning something new every day by coming to Upendra sir’s class. Last year, Upendra started by teaching just two-three children. But today the number has increased to 60, which includes 40 girls.
The Better India Talking to TOI, Upendra says, “The parents of most of the children who study near me are not very educated. But seeing children’s passion for reading, I love to teach them.”
Connecting children to education in Corona
Upendra is the eldest of his four siblings. He was very fond of reading, but due to his disability, he had to face many problems. Since his right hand does not work, he writes with his left hand. At the same time, he used to take a lot of time to go to school with the help of wood. He had passed the tenth examination by his own hard work without any tuition.
During the lockdown, he saw that the children are not able to study. This bothered him a lot. He started teaching the children of his family and relatives in and around his house. After which many children of the village started coming to study with him. When the children were few, he used to teach everyone at his home. But as the number of children increased, he started teaching in the old school in the village. Upendra explains, “Right now during the rainy season water falls from the roof of the school, and the ground is also broken. Although I have got a board made on the wall of the school with my own money, but it is not my bus to provide other facilities.
Upendra uses the handicapped assistance of Rs 1,000 from the government for his needs like building boards and chalk in the school.
dream of becoming an IAS
Upendra will appear for class XII next year. His dream is to become an IAS officer. For which he is also preparing. Every day he wakes up early in the morning and goes to school to teach the children, and comes back and studies himself. He says, “Seeing these kids makes me want to read more. Children consider me their inspiration, and I these children. The respect that all the kids have for me motivates me to do better.” Although initially many people made fun of him, but as soon as the number of children started increasing, many people also started coming forward to help him. Now many people even give them a lift on a scooter while going to school in the morning.
At present, children from class 1st to 9th come to study in this class of Upendra sir. At the same time, Upendra lays more emphasis on educating girls. That’s why out of 60 kids who come to him, 40 are girls. Also all his younger siblings are also studying.
He says that if there is a slight change in the lives of these children after studying from me, then I will be very happy. With the help of education, all these children can improve their financial condition.
The Better India Salutes Upendra for these efforts.
Editing – Archana Dubey
Also read: Adopted 30 special children despite being in a wheelchair, grows organic vegetables for them
If you’ve been inspired by this story, or want to share any of your experiences with us, write to us at [email protected], or Facebook & Twitter Twitter Contact on
