Rayagada: Life is a conviction. The willpower to accomplish this conviction has been emphatically displayed by two kids, who are at their tender age of 11-12 years.
Their passion is to pursue education but for Covid-19, which has put hurdles on their way especially their schools which continue to remain closed for the last nine months.
While the rich can afford education, but these two kids whose father is a daily wager, it's simply impossible to afford any luxury of having an android based smart phone for online class.
But remarkably, these tiny tots gathered their willpower to continue their studies amid this treacherous time. Do you know how? By chipping in themselves as daily wagers with their father, they have tried to go ahead with their passion.
Meet these two unputdownable kids - Monika Bidika (6th standard) and her elder brother Rohit (7th standard), who hail from Jamulia in Rayagada district.
Speaking on why he came up with such an attempt to earn money with his father at such a young age, Rohit says "Sons and daughters of rich are pursing their study online since the schools have remained closed due to coronavirus restrictions. But, we don't have a smartphone to access the classes. So, we decided to work in maize and cotton fields as daily wagers. Whatever we are earning from the wage, we will utilize the amount for purchasing a smart phone.”
His sister also echoed similar sentiment and said that they are deprived of their basic right since the lockdown was imposed across the country due to Coronavirus pandemic.
"We are deprived of the education only because we don't have a smart phone. My father can't afford to purchase the gadget for our study. So, we decided to raise funds by working on farm lands which can help us get a mobile phone," she added.
Looking at their talent and willpower, villagers have urged the government to provide them with a smart phone. "They are very poor, but have a strong will to learn. But, the virtual class system has come on their way and stopped their education for the past several months. The government should take a note on their plight," said Soumya Ranjan Saraka, a neighbour.
Local Block Education Officer (BEO) said the government is aware of the problem and will take a call very soon for reopening of classes as many students especially poor in remote areas have found it difficult to access online classes.
"Government is well aware about the poor students in remote areas who do not have any access to mobile phones. There is no such provision of the government to provide smart phones to all the poor students across the State. So, the School and Mass Education department has braced up for reopening school for the offline classes. The government can take a call soon on such issues," Rajanikant Samantray, Block Education Officer (BEO) of Rayagada said.
Reports of rural students struggling hard to attend online classes have grabbed the headlines many times in recent past.
In July this year, a woman of Salipur in Cuttack district had sold her gold earrings for Rs 8,000 to buy a smart phone for her daughter so that she can attend the virtual classes.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)