In the village of Piplodi, located in Rajasthan, India, a local farmer named Mor Singh, 60, has turned his home into a makeshift school after the village school’s infrastructure was severely damaged by heavy rains. Singh, who never had the opportunity to attend school himself, has opened his two-room residence to accommodate 50 to 60 students from the village. This decision follows a tragic incident on July 25, when a classroom roof collapsed, resulting in the deaths of seven children and injuries to 21 others.
In response to his actions, the state government awarded Singh financial aid of 200,000 rupees (approximately $2,266). Singh and his family, including a two-year-old grandson, moved to a temporary shelter made of bamboo and tarpaulin near their home to facilitate this community effort. Singh stated that without his swift decision, many children would have fallen behind in their education, as the nearest school is two kilometers away in another village—an arduous trek for younger students.
Rajasthan has experienced its wettest July in about 70 years, with rainfall totaling 285 mm. Following the incident, a government survey revealed that over 5,600 schools in the state are in dilapidated condition, highlighting systemic issues in school infrastructure.
The village of Piplodi has since been declared a “model village” by the state government, a designation aimed at attracting new funding for educational and healthcare facilities. Local officials estimate that it will take roughly 18 months to build a new school in the village.
There are approximately 90 families residing in Piplodi, mainly from tribal backgrounds, and many residents express gratitude for Singh’s initiative, recognizing the importance of education for the community’s future.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4lzm784n8o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss