Why build schools...?

Why do we build schools...

Sitting right in front of these kids on the Republic Day - 26th of January - at our Parshuramdwara School.

In spite of all the dull lectures, filmy perfomances and extreme cold, the enthusiasm of these young children as they shouted
'Jai Hind' had to be seen and heard, to be believed....
"Somewhere, Somehow we must be doing Something Right..."
What do these children have, to be so proud of our nation?

They come from poor families, have to struggle for every necessity, study in a school which cannot even give them a proper durry to sit on!
I could see some of them shivering without proper warm clothing.
The reason I think is hope - The hope in these young eyes has not yet died down. They still hope for a better future.

Another reason is faith - They believe that the school they come to will give them skills to face the future.
They believe that their nation is one to be proud of.

And this is the reason we build Schools. So that the hope remains alive.

So that the faith is not shaken.

Be proud to belong to a group which, even if in its own small way,
lets a few more dreams to live on.
Jai Hind! Jai Bharat ! Jai Roundtable...!!
Mera Bharat Mahaan...

RTI Week Activities

12th Nov.: Quiz Competition

On 12th November 2007 a Quiz Competition was organized at the Government Upper Primary School, Siwar, which is also the first school aided by JPRT. The quiz competition was held for Classes 5th, 6th, 7th and . The results of the competition are indeed very encouraging - quite a few students scored hundred percent in it!! Chairman Tr. Tarun Bansal was present for organising the activities. A set of books was given as awards to the children who got the highest marks in the competition.

14th: Dental & Eye Camp

A Dental & Eye Camp was organized at the Government Upper Primary School, Siwar, which is also the first school aided by JPRT; during the RTI Week on the 15th of November. Tr. Saurabh Jhunjhunwala was the key man in organising this camp for the children. 135 students were examined by a team of doctors during the camp. 7 students were diagnosed with minor eye problems and the necessary medicines were given to them. Tr. Saurabh Jhunjhunwala also distributed a combo pack of toothpaste and toothbrush to all the students. Four women from village also came and requested to have their eyes checked. On examining their eyes, 2 of them were diagnosed with Cataract and since they needed immediate operation, Tr. Saurabh immediately organized for their operations at the clinic and generously sponsored the operations from his side. Tr. Shishir and Tr. Ravi were also present at the camp. The response from the school authorities was very enthusiatic and they reattriated their support for any work thet JPRT wanted to do in the school.

Charging at windmills

To Dream The Impossible Dream
To Fight The Unbeatable Foe
To Bear With Unbearable Sorrow
To Run Where the Brave Dare Not Go

To Right the unrightable Wrong
To Love pure and chaste from Afar
To Try when your arms are too heavy
To Reach the unreachable star

This is my quest to follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

These lines are from a classic Broadway play called the MAN OF LA MANCHA - an adaptation of Don Quixote. Seem a little over the top, but isn't this what we have seen completed yesterday too - A LITTLE OVER OUR TOPS!

Haven't we just completed a-little-crazy-thing-to-do yesterday ??

Like the crazy old knight from Cervantes novel, we have just gone through something, maybe, illogically big and, maybe, un-doable for us. Or was it?

Like that knight who charged at the windmills, we can now step back and marvel at our little crazy deed!!!!

See the group of Don Quixotes' in the front of their castle?
The ones in blue coats of armour?

I for one will always treasure this photo and maybe show it to my children's children as I brag about MY Times and MY Friends and what WE Did and how WE Did it !!
Sounds corny, but true !!

Now, to get some great Party / Fellowship / Picnics / Movies and generally have FUN photos to go with this one as I prepare my PITARA for the future!!

Tr. Tarun Bansal,
Chairman, JPRT 171

Another Dream Fulfilled

The elation to see a dream become reality is indescribable. And for another dream to come true… You just cannot imagine the bliss. Overwhelming! That’s the experience the tablers of Jaipur Pinkcity Round Table 171 had on Sunday, 21st October 2007. Yes, we are talking about the inauguration of the second school by JPRT 171. JPRT has built a completely new, eight classroom, wing at the Government Upper Primary School, Parshuramdwara, Opposite Jal Mahal, Jaipur. This was the second dream come true for us after our first school in Sunaron Ki Dhani, Khejroli, Near Chomu.

This magnificent structure, raised almost 4 ft from the ground, incorporating eight 21ft x 15 ft classrooms, is spread over the ground and first floor. With a wide open gallery, 63 ft x 12 ft, running in between, it has a separate principals room and store room. More importantly, given the strength of the school of almost 900 students, the school is scalable to 18 class rooms within a short notice. When we started the project the strength at the school was about 400 students, and as the word spread of this new building, the admissions jumped to around 900 students as of now. The structure has been given enough strength to hold classrooms over three floors.

This school project has been built as a showcase pilot project under an MOU with the Government of Rajasthan; whereby the Government provides land and partial funding, under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and the rest of the funding is arranged by Round Table members. The objective of the MOU is an attempt to make schools which are comparable to any good private school; in terms of quality of construction, design and facilities provided. Round Table will be making more such schools under this public-private partnership. One such other school has already been inaugurated at Bindayaka in August by Jaipur Heritage RT 185, a table extended by JPRT 171.

The total cost for the new school wing at Parshuramdwara is Rs 28 lacs, out of which Rs 11 lac have been contributed by the Government of Rajasthan, under the SSA/DPEP scheme, and the rest has been collected by JPRT members. The project has been completed in just 6 months; starting from 22nd April 2007, when the Bhoomi Poojan was done, to 21st October, 2007, when the school was handed over to the school authorities.

The inauguration function of the new school building was held on Sunday, 21st October, 2007 at 11:00 am. We had the tablers of JPRT along with their families as well as tablers from JHRT, JJRT and BURT. The chief guest for the function was Tr. Ravi Baid, Chairman Area V and the Guest of Honour was Ms. Bibi Russell, UNESCO Artist for Peace and the Face of Bangladeshi Fashion. We also had Mr. Beniwal, Officer on Special Duty, Mr. R. N. Sharma from DPEP, Mr. Manoj Mathur, AEN and Ms. Sumitra Sharma, MLA at the dais. The school organised 3 cultural performances presented by the students of the school. Tr. Ravi Baid unveiled the plaque while Mr. Beniwal cut the red tape. Ms. Bibi Russell, the officers from DPEP and MLA Ms. Sumitra Sharma were very impressed with the quality of the school building. After the ribbon cutting, snacks were distributed to all present and gift packs with crayons,etc. were distributed to all the children, donated by Mr. Sandeep Yadav.

All tablers of JPRT stood as one for this project, and each one of us has contributed towards the fulfillment of this dream. We know we will start dreaming again of new heights to achieve and new places to go. And we also know we shall be able to fulfil those dreams too, with the support of everyone who has supported us thus far and other friends we will make.

Tr. Vinamra Daga
Projects Convener, JPRT 171