[Reader-list] The Stars of Tilonia

[Kshmendra Kaul]

Dear Chintan
 
Thanks. Such excellently pleasing information.
 
May I also remark that you are one of the few people on this List who consistently focusses on positivities of the human spirit overcoming disadvantages, not succumbing to them but innovatively overcoming them and creating productive opportunities and systems.
 
Thanks again.
 
Kshmendra   

--- On Thu, 4/22/10, Chintan <chintangirishmodi at gmail.com> wrote:


From: Chintan <chintangirishmodi at gmail.com>
Subject: [Reader-list] The Stars of Tilonia
To: "sarai list" <reader-list at sarai.net>
Date: Thursday, April 22, 2010, 10:10 AM


Excerpts from http://www.teacherplus.org/profile/the-stars-of-tilonia

"Maangi bai knows hardly any English, but has taught herself to use the
English keyboard. A cardboard chart by her side shows the correspondences
between the Devanagari (Hindi) alphabet and the English characters. A
visitor from England who happened to learn about this wondered why Maangi
bai doesn’t use a Hindi keyboard. Maangi bai simply said, “This is what we
have got, and we are happy with this.” The visitor was amazed, and she
muttered, “I am useless. You are incredible.” Maangi bai also trains women
from poor African countries to use the computer. The African women know a
bit of English; Maangi bai speaks only Hindi and Marwari, but she has taught
herself to use the computer. Here too one discerns a wonderful synergy. The
African women pick up computer skills; Maangi bai picks up a bit of English.
When spoken language seems a hurdle, Maangi bai simply uses her finger to
point out where the cursor should be moved using the mouse."


"Barefoot College is full of such amazing stories. There is Raghav Mahto, a
23-year-old from Vaishali in Bihar, who used to fiddle with wires and
microphones while putting up shamianas for wedding functions, and learnt to
make a radio. He now runs a community radio station at Barefoot College.

Women with no formal qualifications work as ‘barefoot dentists’ here. They
not only share tips about dental hygiene with children, but also clean
tartar and carry out tooth extraction for adults living on campus and
visiting from outside. A doctor providing allopathy and homoeopathy
medicines, and a pathology laboratory run by barefoot technicians are among
the other services available here.

Men who have no degree or diploma in media and communication studies have
learnt on the job and become ‘barefoot photographers’, ‘barefoot
filmmakers’, and ‘barefoot communicators’. The last of the three is a term
used to designate a group of puppeteers on campus who spend their time
making puppets, playing music, and creating skits to generate awareness and
facilitate discussion around local issues by travelling to night schools and
presenting shows on other important occasions."

"Our last stop for the day was a night school at Thal village, the most
memorable experience of my visit to Barefoot College. This is one of around
150 night schools run by Barefoot College in the numerous villages of
Rajasthan. It starts at 6 pm and ends at 9 pm. Most of the children who come
here are girls, since boys do get the chance to go to day schools.
Rameshwarji asks the children to tell me what they do during the day. Some
spend their day grazing goats, sheep or cows. Others have to chase away
peacocks that threaten to disturb their crop. Yet others, especially girls,
stay home to take care of younger siblings. It was amazing to see their
energy and enthusiasm at the end of the day. The night holds a special
meaning in their lives. It is when the solar lanterns in their little room
spread light on the wall, and the ground they sit on. A time for them to sit
with children their own age, when laughter passes around quite playfully,
unstressed by the chores that tomorrow will bring. I am reminded of the
stars that welcomed me into Tilonia. I can see them again in these eyes."

Read the entire article here:
http://www.teacherplus.org/profile/the-stars-of-tilonia
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