Education is the Foundation.

“ Started as a casual effort of two friends to teach four less privileged children,Udaan school has headed north to become the largest slum school of city”.
BRIEF: Ajay Singhal(49), has wholeheartedly dedicated his time, efforts and wealth for the betterment of economically weaker children and their families.The children usually belong to the families where they were by default,lodged to the work of rag picking in their early ages and completely barred from their right to education by their own parents.. Mr Ajay Singhal has not only gifted them their right to education but also, has created a whole new lifestyle for them and given their community a kind of make over in terms of thinking and beliefs. The community that ancestrally professed rag picking has now started to direct their kids towards education.

Q1: When and How did “Udaan” School started ?

A1: The plan was made in December 2010.My friend and I were casually talking about how we wanted to teach some 4-5 poor children after our work timings..But the whole thing came to my mind when one day I happened to cross this “basti” on my way to work. That day I went to office I discussed with my friend that how teaching just a bunch of children will not create a difference in long run. . We collected children from the locality and started teaching them on a rooftop of a medical store.

I remember the first class was held on February 27,2011 and it was nothing like that of a school. Everything was a chaos and children were least interested to study. Today when I recall that day , I will say that it was not easy to manage the children who had no idea why they were being taught.Most of them were impatient and wanted to leave the place to go for work(Rag picking).. Initially,We started teaching them in the evening for 2 hours because most of them were working from morning till noon.We started the school with 32 students and now we have more than 300 students here.

Q2: How many teachers have you appointed and how are the expenses managed? Do you get any financial aid from Government for this?

A2: We currently have a staff of 17 people whose salary is being donated to us by ASHRAY FOUNDATION,NEW DELHI. The other expenses are approximated to be 30K per month and all the volunteers along with me manage that collectively.

Yes, We have been acknowledged and appreciated by the government. A lot of government officials have visited us regarding funding and all but we never took any sort of help from them. That was a thing we were rigid about from the start that we will never use any resources provided by government for Udaan. Although there was no such particular reason for that but sill we wish to stay loyal to this thought forever.

Q3: What is the present scenario of Udaan and how has it reached here? Can you give me a brief about the 9 year long journey?

A3: Look the present scenario is something we never thought of when we started this journey. The children are living a better standard of life, further promoting the life style of their families and the entire locality. When we started teaching 9 years back, the children were just coming for fun and refreshments but now they, along with their parents have realised that education is the “spine of life”. They not only excel in studies but also participate in a lot of extra curricular activities like dance, theatre and singing. Earlier udaan had children of only that basti where it is located but now the children from other lower areas are joining us and not only this, the families that can afford are sending their kids to other private schools of city. Other than this, we have gotten several students into good private schools for further education. We started with just evening school but after 4-5 years , we started a morning school too. The morning school although is not free(Rs150/month) and has an affiliation unlike the evening school. Most of the children who are young and do not work unlike others have joined the morning school. They are given books and other facilities at a minimal cost.Now, We also organise summer internships for youth of Saharanpur to get themselves involved with these children and voluntarily teach them different subjects and conduct activities. Here at udaan, we not only provide basic education but also focus on enhancement of social skills, involvement in cultural facilities and overall development of the students.

Q4:: How has Udaan helped the BPL families of city?

A4: The major change is in their mindset and lifestyle. 70% population of the locality has now understood that their children have a worth more than just earning by rag picking and begging. The families have educated and presentable children now. Some of the pass out students are now doing dignified jobs and earning an ample amount for their families and themselves to live a begging free life. Rest 30% are still functioning on the age old perspectives but , I am sure they will soon realise the same. Both financial and social betterment is there.
Written by:Deepakshi Seth.