Print this article

Bihar police re-launch campaign to educate Mahadalit kids

February 09, 2012 11:34 IST

In an attempt to revamp its image as people friendly, the Bihar police have re-launched its campaign to enroll underprivileged children to government schools.

The initiative, started by police in 2007, was part of measures announced by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to provide education to Mahadalit children -- the poorest of the poor from the state. But soon the programme lost steam and was discontinued.

For Rediff Realtime News click here

On Wednesday, around 350 children, mostly Mahadalits, were admitted to seven government schools close to their residential areas in the Phulwarisharif block in Patna district.

Kim Sharma, Patna superintendent of police, said that the police have started this initiative once again to provide education to some of the poorest children in the state. "We have distributed toys and chocolates to children to encourage them to go to schools," she said.

The police will admit more children in schools in the coming days without wasting much, she added.

"Most of the children who have been admitted to schools were involved in child labour; the others simply wandered aimlessly on the streets," said Rakesh Dubey, deputy superintendent of police, Phulwari.

The parents of the children could not thank the police force enough for this initiative. Mantu Manjhi, a daily wageworker from Mushhari, told rediff.com on Thursday that the police move was a positive development for poor people like him. "I never imagined that my son would to school. I have the police to thank for his education."

Aarti Devi, a mother of another child, said that the change in the attitude of the police is welcome one.

Bihar police chief Abhyanand said that the force would intensify its campaign to send more poor children to schools. "We have set ourselves a huge target and will work to fulfill it."

Abhyanand was one of the two founders of the Super-30 programme, where 30 poor students are given free training, food and shelter to crack the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology entrance exam.

M I Khan in Patna