Smart ideas make for smart schools

Charanbir Singh, Principal of Senior Secondary School, Post Office chowk, Gurdaspur, is a man with vision. A former Delhi University cricketer, his family migrated to Punjab in the aftermath of the 1984 riots. The day he joined the school as Principal, he had to undergo a difficult time. Water used to accumulate in the staff rooms. The conditions were appalling. It was then he decided to take up on himself the arduous task of improving things. He was the first one to contribute from his pocket to make the school a smart school. His staff followed suit. Then he went to the community to collect funds. Now, his school is one of the 7,842 smart schools in the state and is much talked after by residents. It has undergone a complete transformation. So much so, when people pass by it, they are stunned to see “virtually a new school coming up in place of the old one.” “My school is a temple of technology based teaching which ensures holistic development of children. The entire infrastructure has been given an upgrade. If we as a nation do not invest in education we will be failing in our duties as citizens. After all, education is the passport to the future for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare it today. Education is perhaps the only weapon with which we can change the world and make it a better place to live in,” said Charanbir.

The boss is always right

Gurdaspur city was converted into an impregnable fortress early this week. Security was as tight as they have for the US Presidents. The occasion was the high profile visit of DGP Dinkar Gupta. Old timers recall that never before has the city played host to so many senior officers at one time. Apart from the DGP, there were two ADGPs, an IG, three SSPs and several BSF officers. Even if a fly had been seen, it would have immediately been swatted down by the security men. All ranks from constable to the DGP were present. First Gupta conveyed a joint meeting of the BSF and the Punjab Police. This was followed by an hour-long tete-e-tete with officers of his force. Drones and drugs took precedence over everything else. The issue of drones flying in border areas was discussed threadbare. And quite rightly so because a few days ago, a payload carrying flying machine was dispatched by Pakistan to carry out an aerial attack in Jammu. The DGP engaged himself in some serious discussions. When SSP Nanak Singh pointed out that such drone flights were common in the areas of Kalanaur and Dera Baba Nana, triviality was relegated to the sidelines as Gupta attached more significance to the proceedings. After all national security was at stake. After the drones came the drugs. The DGP asked officers to ensure no dope was sold in their respective areas of jurisdiction. This was followed by a dialogue on the Integrated Check Post (ICP) building of the Kartarpur corridor. Officers were asked to keep an eagle’s eye in and around the corridor. The rationale was that if a drone attacked the prestigious corridor it would leave many red faces in the police department. Hence, it was decided to upgrade the security mechanism around the passage. Once lunch was put in place, the erudite Gupta dropped his guard a bit following. The drones and drugs were consigned to the backburner. He remembered his days in Patiala where he had his education. His father was in the PSEB (now PSPCL) and he described in detail his links with the royal city. The name of Saudi billionaire and Saudi arms dealer Adnan Kashoggi also popped up during a conversation with a BSF commandant. So did football icon Diego Maradona. The police chief seemed to have an unwavering command on every issue and every discussion that came up. After a few minutes, officers gradually started retreating. Obviously, they were no match for the well read DGP. The situation was such that even if he had sold a lie, it would have passed scrutiny. As they say, the boss is always right!

A bridge to nowhere

In Gurdaspur, year after year, PWD officials perform a ritual. That is when the monsoons arrive, like it has these days, they dismantle the pontoon bridge over the Ravi. This is done in June every year and in September the 700 metre-long bridge is brought back. This overpass actually connects residents of a block of 12 villages to Gurdaspur. Now-a-days, if anybody has to go to this area he or she will have to take a ride on a rickety boat. Ever since Independence, politicians and bureaucrats have turned a Nelson’s eye to the welfare of these villages which are inhabited by nearly 5,000 people. They live in Kafkaesque conditions. There are government dispensaries but no doctors. Schools are there, but teachers are absent. Girls after completing their matriculation seldom study any further because their parents do not allow them to go to Gurdaspur. Harried villagers are hemmed in by the Ravi and the Ujh on the one side and the India-Pakistan border on the other. Leaders seldom visit these villages because there are not many voters to ignite their interest. In the 1980 general elections, residents threatened not to exercise their franchise. Taken aback by the turn of events, PM Indira Gandhi asked Governor Jai Sukh Lal Hathi to tour the area. The Governor after promising villagers the moon returned to Chandigarh. Not a file moved. Now, these residents have decided to boycott the 2022 assembly polls till “conditions in their area improve.”

— Contributed by Ravi Dhaliwal