Upgrading Nakodar schools UK ex- cop’s mission

Aakanksha N Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 18

Even while interacting with school officials, his concentration sticks totally on the kids standing next to him. A glimpse of triumph is clearly visible in his eyes. This British national, David Gee, first came to India in 2001 with his friend, a native of Sehm village near Nakodar, on holidays. Now 18 years later, he has become an indispensable part of Nakodar villages.

Since 2001, David has been visiting Nakodar every year. When he visited a government school today, he interacted with students in Punjabi, using phrases, like ‘kiddan’, ‘bahut changa laggeya mil ke’, and ‘tuhada naa ki hai’. He got books from the UK for them.

David, a retired chief superintendent in the UK police, has helped nearly nine government schools in Uggi, Seham, Kang Sabu, Awanchaharmi, Chauhr, Bajua Khurd (primary and middle schools), Singh Pur Dona and Sianiwal (all of Nakodar block) by building boundary walls, rooms, an all-new building of primary school, a library equipped with the furniture.

In a great help for the primary school of Singh Pur Dona which was declared unsafe a few years ago, David got built a new building.

David said, “I belonged to a poor family. My father was a labourer. When I achieved a little success, I visited India with a friend. I was shocked to see poverty here. It was then I decided to help. It costs little to make a big difference.”