[Reader-list] Gas cylinders in playground threaten life of school children

[Chintan Girish Modi]

>From http://www.dnaindia.com/academy/special_save-our-schools_1480078

Save our schools
 Published: Sunday, Dec 12, 2010, 8:14 IST
By *Vidya Iyengar & A Veeramani* | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

The sound of children playing resonates outside the Chalavadi Palaya
Anganwadi Kendra in Cottonpet. But step inside and the playfulness of the
children is cut with a sense of dread. All around the playground lie over
100 gas cylinders, just sitting there…waiting. And if that ticking time-bomb
is not enough to spark a frenzy of angst, then step into the classroom, or
should we say, the darkened hole in the wall. Children rub shoulders with
busy spiders, spinning their webs in the dank nooks and crannies of this
‘learning centre’, where the only art is the paint peeling from the walls,
and portraits of damp spreading their miasma.

“We have repeatedly informed the BBMP authorities about the pathetic
condition of this place. After every visit they claim they will either
repair the building, or demolish it and build a better structure, but
nothing happens,” said Pushpalatha SN, an Anganwadi worker and teacher.

But the blatant disrespect for the children’s safety and well-being does not
end with horrific classrooms and deadly gas cylinders; the callousness
extends to the toilets as well. The lack of water has rendered them
unusable, which means children have to answer nature’s call in the
playground opposite. “What can we do? We just send the boys and girls
separately,” Pushpalatha said.
C Renuka, the supervisor of the Anganwadi, states the gas cylinders were
dumped on the premises by “some people next door”, who claim to have
permission to do so. They say that since the cylinders are empty it is not a
problem. But are they really? Does anybody know for sure?

The BBMP, during one of their inspections, cast an eye over the many
cylinders littering the premises and came up with a novel solution. “They
told us to just keep an eye on the children while they play,” Renuka said.
One guesses that makes it all fine then.
But believe it or not, according to workers at Chalavadi Palaya Anganwadi
Kendra, the school is in better condition than the one at Bakshi Garden.
They took DNA’s reporters to the so-called nursery, which resembled a
dumping ground. The room, where the children were supposed to experience
life’s building blocks harboured no light, and sharp metallic objects
glinted lethally all over the place.

“When it rains, the place is a mess. We just send the children back home,”
said Kusum Latha, an Anganwadi worker. Like the one at Cottonpet, the Bakshi
Garden Anganwadi Kendra has no usable bathroom. “The children just use the
streets for their toilet needs,” Kusum said.

Zameer Ahmed Khan, the MLA from Chamrajpet constituency, said he visited the
Anganwadi Kendras a week ago. “I have submitted a proposal to the BBMP
commissioner to get the place renovated. If it does not get done, I will
release my grant, in the next 15 to 20 days,” he said, adding, “over two
weeks ago I gave notice to those who have kept gas cylinders there, and in
the next one month, they will be removed. The bathrooms will be repaired
soon. However I have not received any complaint on water problems,” he said.

When *DNA *contacted the councillor of the area, GA Ashwathnarayan, he said
he was unaware of the situation and that he would visit the place soon. So
all that’s left to do is wait…and hope the children are safe. And if
anything tragic happens, you now know whom to blame.