Fourth Meghalaya Yatra 2010

   Fourth Meghalaya Van - Yatra 2010 and Future Education Development Plans

      The Fourth Meghalaya Van Yatra -2010 was held between 24^th May and 2^nd June, 2010. Incidentally,the First Meghalaya Van Yatra- 2007 was also held between the same dates. I was Fortunate enough that Shri Rajiv Kalra of Rajouri Garden encouraged me to visit Meghalaya.

      Shri Bhushan Lal Parasher , Gen Secretary Sanatan Dharam Sabha , Delhi and Sh. Satish Dureja Of DAV School Management Committee were kind enough to be with us throughout the Vanyatra this year also . These Yatras are undertaken to boost the level of education in the villages of Meghalaya where basic amenities for education of children are not available.  This is desirable more because the State Govt. does not, as a policy matter, provide education to masses by opening any new school.

        In last three years Chhatrabandhu has been able to provide a big boost. Donors have been contacted and donations mobilized in New Delhi and so also in Shillong.

        Seng Khasi had 17 schools running in Meghalaya in May 2007, when we first visited there. (It will be worthwhile to mention that Seng Khasi is also running another 40-50 schools at their own).Since then the number of schools has been increased to 50 now, with the efforts, assistance and motivation by Chhatrabandhu to our Khasi brothers there. We have shown our remarkable presence there by visiting every year, the schools supported by us and also visiting the prospective schools.  Ten of these schools got recognized and got the assistance from the state government in these years. These 10 schools are now self reliant. Now our target in next 3-5 years is to help establish 50 more schools, out of which 5 shall be Model High schools with Girl’s hostel and Boy’s hostel. The numbers of schools have risen with the guidance, support and tireless hard work of Seng Khasi, who areworking there day and night selfless.

        Meghalaya is a far and a small North - East State in India inhabited by Van-Vasis (Tribals). It is called the Scotland of the East. The nature is open. The weather here is very charming. Temperature varies 12-24 degrees in the months of April - May. In this 4^th consecutive annual Van Yatra, a team of 14 representatives from Chhatrabandhu, Delhi participated. This team was led by Shree Bhushanlal Parashar (All India Secretary-Bharat Vikas Parishad and also General Secretary – Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha, Delhi), Shree Satish Dureja(renowned educationist) and Shree Dinesh Chaturvedi, CA.  The team was accompanied by Chaturvedi family, Shree Satpal Sharma’s family, Shree Atul Rawat (the renowned Journalist) family, Shree Ramkishan (Advocate) and Shree Sumit Alagh (Publishers). The team visited 10 schools. We also visited the Jayanti Mata Mandir (Shaktipeeth in Meghalaya) and a Amarnath like Lord Shiva Cave there. Now recently annual Kanwad – yatra has been started to this cave-temple. This was very fascinating for us. Besides, we also enjoyed visiting local sites at Shillong.

          It was a successful Van Yatra, where the people of Meghalaya have shown a kind and grateful gratitude towards the team and the Chhatrabandhu. We shall also always remain thankful to the team of Seng Khasi, Meghalaya. Shri Bhushan Lal Parasharji and Shri Satishji Dureja  from Delhi are regularly visiting Meghalaya schools. Their contribution has raised our moral a lot. Last year they contributed honorarium for 15 schools with the courtesy of Shri N.C. Jain (the renowned educationist and philanthropist) and this year, have very kindly contributed for honorarium for teachers of 27 schools. With this kind of help, we shall be able to achieve our target of a total of 100 schools. We have requested them to kindly contribute for 3 new school buildings.

      During the Yatra we have observed that,

1 - Asia’s cleanest village is Mawlynnong that is in Meghalaya (A Fact). And actually the whole Meghalaya is blessed with nature’s beauty. ‘Meghalaya’ means Home of Clouds.

2 - The people in Meghalaya show great respect and regard to those who help them.

3 - In Every school we visited, Children sung the National Anthem and Vande-Mataram to show                            their love for Bharat Mata.

4 - They gave speech without preparation; People gave a speech that could move anyone’s heart.

5 – They now have confidence and more acceptability to their indigenous faith and culture.

6 - There are around 200 villages out of a total of 2641 villages in Khasi Hills and Jayantia Hills where Van-Vasis following indigenous faith are remaining where at least one family follows such faith. In Other Villages almost 100% of population has been forced to convert into Christianity since the year 1841. In another 60 villages Koch, Hajong (Indigenous) have majority.

7 – Out of such 200 Villages there is no government school and for education, Churches are also running schools .

8 – Out of above in around 100 villages, Ten to Fifteen   or more families follow Indigenous faith where a school should be established.

“This is a time to initiate a Bold Step to further accelerate the process to improve Education in Meghalaya which has completed its baptism now. We welcome all those who want to be a part of this Process. You can contribute to a larger societal development there. We have a Format for “Strategic Education Development plan” for the Villages of Meghalaya. Your support vetted by your National Sentiments will take initiative to change the Education Development of this Small State of North-East. We are here to encourage and preserve their faith, culture and tradition. Let us join Hands.”

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Our Plans for the Future –

Now in the coming Three to Five years, Chhatrabandhu plans to add another 50 Schools (32 Lower Primary, 16 Upper Primary and 2 High Schools) to make a Total of 100 Schools in Meghalaya, Out of these 50 Schools, Two shall be Model High Schools. Another Three schools shall also be upgraded to Model High schools, thus making a Total of Five Model High Schools. The cost of Each Model School is estimated to be between Thirty Five to Forty Lakhs   

(Here I would like to mention that population in Meghalaya is scattered in Hills and the villages are small. A lower primary school (class 0-4) normally has 40-60 students, an upper primary school (class 5-7) has 60-80 students and a High School (class 8-10) has 120-180 students. Normally there is only one section in a class. Nursery schools are also helped establish there. All the schools are managed by local regd. NGO of Seng-khasi. )  

Steps for helping establish a school in   Meghalaya.

Step 1

The aspirant village should start a school itself with minimum of 30 to 40 students at some place in the village itself for 1 to 2 years. The school may not have its own land and building and facilities.

Step 2

Chhatrabandhu/ Kalyan Ashram, Meghalaya comes forward to help establish schools if the following conditions are satisfied by the village/village head/Gram Panchayat:-

1. An NGO (Trust) is formed and registered to carry out the required objective. The majority of office bearers are from the village itself.

1. The said NGO acquired in its name the required land.

1. The village and the NGO make satisfy that they sincerely carry on activities and manage the schools.

1. Chhatrabandhu representatives pay several visits to the village and the school to satisfy itself that the school in the village is viable.

Step 3

1. After we are satisfied we release the desired funds for construction of 2 rooms, approximately Rs 2, 50,000.

1. Subsidy (assistance) for honorarium for teachers is also provided ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs3, 500 p.m. for LP/UP schools and around Rs 6,000 p.m. per teacher for High schools.

1. After the successful completion of first year, second year, third year other helps are also provided to the school.

Step 4

1. When the school is operational for 3 years with conditions satisfied as above the School Management may apply for grant from State Government as per their rules. The State Government of Meghalaya releases sanctioned grants for school buildings- Rs 3, 00,000 (LP schools),  Rs 6,00,000 (UP schools) and Rs 10,00,000 (High schools). The State Government also sanctions honorarium to school teachers ranging from Rs3, 000 to Rs6, 000 p.m. per teacher.

1. After the school receives grant and subsidy from the State Government, the school becomes self                sufficient and self reliant so far as finance and facilities are concerned.

With the grace of Bhagvan Shri Ram, All time Available Ashirvad of Manas-Vachaspati Pt.Trilok Mohan Ji and Your Whole Hearted Support with Love and Affection, we shall be able to Achieve all as discussed.

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