Young medico’s campaign brings smart school to Rajasthan’s Chambal ravines

A unique campaign led by a young medico to improve the living conditions in a small village situated in Rajasthan’s Chambal ravines, which was devoid of basic infrastructure to sustain life, has brought a smart school to the region. The Indian-Norwegian Community, a voluntary group from Oslo, Norway, has rendered help for the campaign.

The Rajghat village in Dholpur district is deprived of the benefits of schemes designed for panchayats because of its location in the municipal limits. The ‘Save Rajghat Campaign’ of Ashwani Parashar, 28, first brought electricity to the village with a population of just 350 and later drew the attention of international donors who have pitched in to support the efforts to build the infrastructure.

Village of Boatmen

The village is inhabited mostly by boatmen, who work as daily wage labourers. Interestingly, the shooting for Hindi films Bandit Queen and Paan Singh Tomar, based on the Chambal dacoits, was done near Rajghat.

An old and single-room government primary school in a dilapidated condition – the only educational institution in Rajghat – has given way to a smart school with two classrooms, an office room and a small verandah, constructed in the shape of train coaches. The installation of a smart board in the school has stopped the student dropouts.

Dr. Parashar told The Hindu that the Indian-Norwegian Community carried out crowdfunding to support the ‘Save Rajghat Campaign’ through a project called Saksham. The school, which was on the verge of closure because of decline in admissions, is now functioning with a newly installed smart board. It has over 30 students enrolled, and new admissions are coming in the academic session which started on July 1.

Dr. Parashar said his campaign would now focus on “dignified life” for villagers, with a motorable road, clean drinking water and a fully functional hospital.