Navin Desai Memorial Fund

On June 2, 2008, Prakash K. Desai, Air Marshall (Retired), visited Nagpur to review the progress of the NDRS.  The following is his report.

1. The first batch of 33 students has completed the first standard training. Except for 2 students who will need special coaching, rest have successfully cleared the first standard examination. Some 13 children who had left their schooling after few years were also allowed to enroll in the school and appear for examination for higher standards.  The school has recognition till fourth standard from the State Education Board. Examination was conducted by Navin Desai School for children up to third standard. For fourth standard, examination was conducted by the state board and all the children passed the examination. For higher standards (above fourth standard) exams were conducted by other schools after permission was obtained from the education authority of the state. All these students have cleared their examination and will progress to pursue next higher standard in the Residential school while appearing for examination in other schools. Thus all 46 children of first batch will continue with the school for the second year.  Meeting the children gave definite impression about their overall improvements through education and stay at the school.
2. Preparations are on for inducting the second batch of students. 29 students for first standard have already joined the school. We are likely to cross figure of 100 residential students for first, second and higher standards put together during current academic year 2008-09.   Additional room and toilet and bathing facilities are under construction. Two additional teachers have been hired.
3. During the year, support has been received from various sources like Smile Foundation Rs 2.36 lakhs/$5600 (education grant for school), Mumbai Group of Friends Rs. 6 lakhs/$14300 (for Residential School), Stitching Mitra, Netherlands Rs. 2.75 Lakhs/$6600 (for Parent Organization Vimlashram Gharkul), from various donors Rs 1.56 lakhs/$3750 (for adopting one year education of a child), Arpan Foundation Rs. 42,000/$1000 and Rs. 1.75 Lakhs/$4100 through Navin Desai Memorial Fund (for Residential School). Additional help in kind like dry/fresh ration has also been received.  It was indeed heartening that Mr. Ramesh Kacholia of Mumbai Group of Friends visited the school along with me.  Shri Dorabjee Tata Trust, Mumbai donated Rs. 4.95 lakhs/$11,800 for a vocational training programme at Navin Desai Residential School.  The programme was successfully conducted. A separate report is made out on this programme.
4. For creating source of in house funding, idea of having a cattle farm has been pushed.  Some cows were purchased which are multiplying and also providing milk for the children.  Additional 30 acre land has been taken on lease in the vicinity to permit growing cheaper cow feed.  It is proposed to build strength of 50 cows to make it a profitable venture.  Besides the three different donation schemes suggested earlier, it is proposed to add the fourth scheme for adopting a cow for Rs. 20,000/$5000.
5. It will be necessary to extend the building during next one year to accommodate third and fourth batch in July 2009.  The plan for this extension has been revised based on the observation made in the first phase of building.  The cost for this extension is estimated to be Rs 5 lakhs/$12000.  This amount is urgently required to be sourced for continued growth of the Residential School.
6. Talking with the children, teachers, staff and other local people; I got a distinct feeling that the school is delivering the promise with which the project was initiated. To see the transformation in the children brought about by education and to see the glint in their eyes of a better future was a greatly satisfying experience.
7. With the help of original donors of Navin Desai Memorial Fund and other philanthropists, the school has come a long way.  With their continued support it is bound to grow further and contribute to the upliftment of poor people of the region. The sincere selfless efforts of Mr. Ram Ingole and his team and their unflinching faith in the cause convinced me that this ambitious project will surely be taken to its logical conclusion.