Stage for change

It’s the beginning of a new journey for these young men and women,who have been selected by Gurukul Vidyapeeth,Banur,a premier college of engineering and management,for free education for the next six years — Plus Two and a degree course of their choice. Hope floats at the NGO,which for the past 18 years has been a stage for change for many children from underprivileged backgrounds.

Using theatre as a tool of empowerment,Zulfikar Khan runs an evening school here to shape the future of many. Volunteers and generous citizens contribute to the cause while children sell raddi collected from people’s homes to study.

Khan believes that everyone deserves a chance to live with dignity. And it’s education that’s finally proved to be the great leveller for these children who were rag-pickers,shoeshine boys,domestic and pavement workers.

“They have now given their Class X exams and are equipped for a better tomorrow,with this new opportunity at Vidyapeeth given by the CEO of the institute Manmohan Kumar Garg. He interviewed them personally,asked their interests and encouraged them by giving this opportunity. It’s a special day for us; so many of my worries have been taken care of as these children will now study towards a better tomorrow. While their tuition fee will be taken care of,we will need resources for books,bags,uniforms et al,’’ says Khan,who motivates children to study through theatre,music and dance.

There are many success stories here and more to come,like 16-year-old Saahil who came to Theatre Age when he was five and a rag picker. Now,the eloquent and well-groomed Saahil has passed his Plus Two and is looking forward to a career in animation.

“Discipline,focus,hard work,how to behave – I have learnt it all here,’’ smiles Saahil who danced with abandon. His elder brother Veeru,who too was part of Theatre Age,is now a make-up person with a local television channel.

Likewise,Arvind Kumar,who has taken up non-medical at Vidyapeeth,hopes to make a future in computer engineering. “So many of them have taken up non-medical and medical. I wish some would choose fine arts too,’’ smiles Khan,as 16-year-old Rajat Kumar steps in to promise that he would take up acting after he clears Plus Two in non-medical.

The girls in the group have taken up medical and Rachna,who is dressed up for the cultural evening,hopes to be a doctor and is happy with her performance in the Class X exams. “We had Prof D B Rishi from the Department of Maths,Panjab University,teaching the children the subject. He instilled so much confidence in them that they are bound to do well in maths,’’ adds Khan who also thanks S P Singh,an IAS officer,who taught the students English and Astinder Kaur,a teacher,who pitched in with other subjects.

“This is a community effort and we are constantly looking for support for the education of these children to take the journey forward,’’ Khan dreams on. The effort can be joined by contacting Khan at 9815145453.