Vikas Vishranti

Vikas Vishranti (Pyar ki Duniya) Charitable Trust for Development of Underprivileged Children and for Providing Solace to Senior Citizens Th Read moree Vikas Vishranti Charitable Trust was set up on 7th March 2011 to work with underprivileged children and senior citizens in Greater Noida. The Trust presently runs the Apna School , Apna Saathi and Apna Ghar . The Beginning Greater Noida, part of the state of Uttar Pradesh and the NCR, is a growing commercial and education hub. Its demographics consist of students, corporate employees and labourers. Most often the construction site workers and daily wage workers, in their search for livelihood and to take care of their basic daily needs, are unable to look after their children. The children keep moving from one site to another with their families, deprived of basic facilities and amenities and of course, education. Mrs. R.K. Usha, in her 70s, having retired from the tourism sector after a long stint of 30 years, and practicing law was moved by the plight of these children. While practicing in the lower court, she came across juveniles accused in crimes. Social deprivation and lack of education were the main reason behind these children in conflict with the law. According to the National Crime Records Bureau’s Crime in India 2018, there were 31,591 crimes committed by juveniles in 2018 – a matter of grave concern. In her effort to channelise the limitless energies of these children into a positive direction, she started Apna School in 2011 with 11 students – children of construction site workers, vegetable vendors, daily wagers among others. She gathered the children on the roadside and started teaching them. People passing by, curious to know what an elderly lady was doing on the roadside, would sometimes contribute to her effort. Apna School Given the social background of these children, they are unable to access the government schools. It is difficult for them to travel to the school and the parents do not have the time or inclination to take them on a daily basis. The families keep migrating to different areas depending on the availability of work. Apna School reached out to these children in their own surroundings. Supporting children in the age group of 4 to 14 years, they opened centres where there were 50 children. Having started with 11 children in one locality in 2011, it has expanded to reach out to over 600 children in six sites in 2020. The children are taught for two hours a day for five days a week. Besides providing quality education, it ensures their all round development. The six centres are presently located in Gamma I (C block park), Delta I (near petrol pump), Delta 3 (M-144), Pi I (Aichhar village), Pi II (near Kanshiram flats) and Surajpur (opposite Sonic World Mall). The Trust has accreditation from NIOS and the children can appear directly for their class 5th and 8th examination. About 10 to 15 percent of the children pursue further studies after leaving Apna School . The students are provided the summer and winter school uniforms, shoes, stationery, school bags and even a daily healthy snack. Twice a month they are treated to full meal at the centres. Skill Development In today’s competitive world, formal education alone doesn’t assure employment but skill does. The children are provided vocational training like computer literacy and taught various handicrafts like stitching, embroidery, paper mache, painting and jewellery making to enable them to earn a living in the future. A small space has been hired at a nearby mall where the older children are provided practical training on sales and marketing of their own products. Apna Saathi In urban areas, with young couples working – sometimes in another city, most senior citizens are left alone at home. Some of them have to even move into old age homes under compulsion. The lack of social, emotional and physical support isolates them. To provide support to this older group Apna Saathi was started. Regular get together are organised and the members are encouraged to interact with the children of Apna School , guiding and teaching them. This support group also provides assistance in procuring things of daily use, bill payment, visiting doctor, shopping as well as attending social functions. Apna Ghar The Trust has rented a five room accommodation which has been developed as an activity centre. It has a library, computer training centre, craft training centre and all activities are organised here. It has provision for emergency, temporary accommodation for senior citizens in need. The Trust plans to develop a full fledged old age home in the future.