Ensuring bright future

Ask him his source of inspiration,he says,“It was former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s speech about the significance of education that left an indelible mark on my mind. About four years ago,I decided to educate children from slum areas and set up a school at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony with 40 students on the roll.”

Soon,the strength of the school which was being run from a temple began to increase. “When the strength reached 100,we were forced to vacate the temple premises. Subsequently,I opened my first school near Cheema Chowk,” says Sharma.

Presently,Sharma is running five schools in Ludhiana and one each in Guru Har Sahay,Jalalabad and Mundiyan.

Sharma says,“I always tell my staff before appointing them that they would be awarded for good service but they will not be paid. So,all the 23 teachers serve with devotion and hardwork,irrespective of the problems they face.”

Sharma visits these schools on a regular basis. “Before going to my office,I take a round of all the schools in the city,” says Sharma. The funds for running these schools comes mostly from donors. “In the first two years I used to spend from my own pocket. But last year, I faced a lot of problems as I had no money to pay the bill of school uniforms. I applied for a personal loan,but,Hope,an NGO,donated Rs 2.5 lakh. Subhash Sachdeva,a Ludhiana-based transporter,also contributes Rs 3,000 per month,” informs the officer.

Sharma,however,feels that students do not bother to attend school,as they get every thing for free.

“Earlier,education was free for the children. Later,I realised that they used to come to the school only to collect uniforms. So,now I charge Rs 20 per child per month.”

Sharma has other plans too. “I have planned to provide these children with proper medical care from July 1 this year. I hope to succeed in my mission,” says Sharma.