Do you want to do social work because in your heart there is love and therefore you are not concerned with your own fulfillment? Or is social work a means of escape from yourself?
J Krishnamurti
Banner Picture: Rural school students participating in RBS Sports, Dec 2016
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History
Born out of his deep compassion for the underprivileged, Krishnamurti invited his friend and socialist Achyut Patwardan to engage with the impoverished villages in and around Rajghat. When the erstwhile Agricultural College was derecognized by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, Achyutji decided to instead utilize the facility as a rural school. Thus was born Achyut Patwardan School (APS) which has been providing educational opportunities to needy community for over 60 years, one of the oldest such schools in the country.
The excerpts from the book “A Jewel on a Silver Platter” by Professor Padmanabhan Krishna about Achyutji dwells on the rich history:
Patwardhan in his later years argued that socialism cannot be concerned merely with man’s economic needs but must create equality of spirit.
“From childhood, Patwardhan was deeply influenced by theosophy, as members of his entire family were ardent followers of Dr. Annie Besant and J. Krishnamurti … He told me that Mrs. Besant had said to him ‘Never discard what Krishnamurti says, irrespective of how much you differ from him, for his is a consciousness that sees very far.’… In 1947 when Krishnamurti returned to India Patwardhan’s journey back to his mentor started with endless dialogues on the fundamental problems of life and death…He then exclusively devoted himself to working for Krishnamurti through a newly instituted foundation called the Foundation for New Education, based in Rajghat, Varanasi …. Patwardhan in his later years argued that socialism cannot be concerned merely with man’s economic needs but must create equality of spirit. He wrote over 100 books and pamphlets on socialism and philosophy. He died in Rajghat, Varanasi on August 5, 1992 during a visit to the place of his work.
Location
While Uttar Pradesh is the most populated state in India, it also features among the 10 poorest states in the country. As per the UNDP human development and economic indicators (2009-2010), the poverty head count ratio of Uttar Pradesh (population below poverty line) stood at 37.7% as against the country’s average of 29.8%. As per the 2011 census, the female literacy rate was 57% as compared to the 77% male literacy figures. The reputation of the state is marred due to an increasing number of crimes against women.
Uttar Pradesh’s culturally flourishing hub is the city of Varanasi. It is known throughout India for its production of fine silk and Banarasi saris. Apart from this, carpets, dhurries, copperware, wooden and clay toys, handicrafts and gold jewellery also feature as prominent export products. However, lately, traditional occupations are facing extinction due to the threat from Chinese mill-woven fabrics, leaving the weavers and their families stranded without a secure livelihood. Fishing is another mainstay of the community dominated by male members. Here, the pollution of river Ganga and over exploitation has led to challenging conditions. While U.P. is a thriving farming state, the contigous villages either do not own lands or if they do, own less than 1 acre plots on which they practice subsistence farming. Alcoholism, poor health and caste system wreak havoc on an impoverished community.
Provision of education and health services can break the vicious cycle of intergenerational poverty. APS caters to the primary and middle school educational needs of children in the surrounding villages.
The School
APS currently has about 350 children from nursery class to class VIII. The gender mix is maintained close to 50%. The children mostly come from the surrounding villages of Sarai Mohana, Kotwa, Kapildhara and Rajapur. Demographically, it has been observed that girl children are dissuaded from going to school as they carry out domestic work and socially are treated inferior. We pay special attention to continued attendance of girl children due to this reason. You may visit the school website by clicking on this link: Achyut Patwardhan School
