Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s repeatedly claim that ‘Gujarat Model of Development’ is best in the country, but a shocking story has emerged from the eastern part of the state.
More or less 125 kids from 16 tribal villages in Chhota Udepur district of Gujarat have to swim through a river to come to their school.
Girls and boys from Sajanpura village and others go swimming for thirty minutes to cross the 600 metre Hiran River and after that they walk for about five kilometers with the aim of attending the nearest school in their vicinity.
Soaked to the skin, the girls wring their churidaar-kurta uniforms before reaching out for their slippers, safely brought inside the pot.
Heavy pots were carried by the girls to keep their bags in it, which helps them to stay afloat. At least one person accompanied the kids daily to make sure that they reach school safe and sound.
They are forced to attend their classes in watery uniforms. The students then sit through classes, in their soaked uniform, and make the journey back home in Sankheda at 5 pm, taking the same water route.
While no major incident has taken place till date, but some crocodiles have been spotted in the river, therefore the villagers fear that some tragedy might take place some day.
In spite of reporting the matter several times to the Gujarat government, no efforts have been taken by the authorities to construct a bridge here, alleged locals.
Former CM Narendra Modi had in 2009 guaranteed villagers to speed up the construction of a bridge but no concrete steps have taken place so far, said a village sarpanch.
“Modiji had promised that bridge would be ready soon. But in spite of numerous promises, the elusive bridge is stuck in red tape,” says a local.
In summer season the river is almost dry, but once monsoon sets in, kids struggle alot to reach their school.
The ‘Gujarat Model of Development’ meanwhile has once again become a peppery topic of discussion with the Congress raising question mark over the BJP’s statement to provide ‘quality education’ to children.
“After 19 years of the BJP rule in Gujarat, if children have to swim to school… is it not an eloquent tribute to the ‘Gujarat Model of Development’? Given the rather bizarre ideas they have about curriculum to be taught wonder if by 2019 would have a generation swimming in ignorance?” Congress leader Manish Tewari wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.