Chhattisgarh grandma sells off ancestral property to build village school

RAIPUR - Setting a unique example of philanthropy, an elderly lady in Abhanpur block, located 10 kilometres from Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, has disposed off her ancestral property to build a school building for village children, especially girls.

A resident of Mundra village, Duklahin Bai Netam, the philanthropic woman, was moved to learn that these girls would discontinue studies after standard eight, as the High School was eight kilometres from their village. They had to face a lot of problems while walking their way to the school.

She took the initiative and got a school constructed in her village to ensure girls can have higher education at the neighbour school.

An illiterate herself, Duklahin Bai Netam felt overwhelmed with the thought that her ‘little’ help could ensure a bright future for village children.

“I am an illiterate. But I felt even if only four-five children turn educated in life, I will be delighted. Hence, I built this school and donated to Government,” says Duklahin Bai Netam, the 80-year-old.

She says that she never liked leading a dependent person’s life. For this, she even sold vegetables and ran a grocery shop as well.

Selling off her ancestral property for rupees 600,000, Duklahin Bai ensured that a school building was built in 1000 square feet area.

This school has two rooms and a courtyard. There is a separate room for teachers but the school is yet to get water and electricity supply.

But that’s not all, the generous lady wishes to ensure maximum facilities for the girl students here so that they get motivated further to take up higher studies.

“Duklahin has struggled a lot in personal life. And still, such an initiative by her for villagers is actually admirable,” said Bhojraj Nishad, a villager.

Village children today feel grateful to the lady for her benevolence.Earlier we had to walk eight to ten kilometres for school. But thank God, we need not suffer any more,” said Satish, a student.

“It was very difficult to manage going to school, especially during rainy season. During floods, we would face a lot of trouble,” said Lalit Kumar Chakrdhari, another student. By Shivshankar Sarathi (ANI)