There are certain areas in our country where, even today, education is not seen as an important part of a child’s life. Rohit, a seven-year-old boy, hails from a similar village in Uttar Pradesh where the concept of education is not 'popular'. A student of Government School, Vrindavan, Rohit dwells in a village where 90 per cent of the population belongs to a socially backward community.
He started coming to school about two years ago only because Akshaya Patra mid-day meal was being served there. In the beginning, he was not interested in attending classes since he didn't know anything about education. He would come to school and stay till lunch was served. After lunch he would go back home to while away his time. But over a few visits, he developed interest in attending school since he was exposed to the activities, games and his classmates. He has been attending school regularly for the past two years and can even write his name in Hindi and English. Rohit also takes interest in Kho-kho, an outdoor team game. He is very good at this sport, according to his teacher. He wants to become a Kho-kho player when he grows up.
Rohit is an excellent example as to how the Akshaya Patra mid-day meal programme is instilling an interest in education in these young minds.