From Forest Villages to State Podiums: Gurukul Children Shine in Karate
In the forest-fringed villages of Purulia’s Baghmundi block, many children are first-generation learners from tribal families. For girls in particular, education can be interrupted early due to social and economic pressures—including the risk of early marriage.
To respond to this reality, Literacy India started the Gurukul Programme in 2009 in Purulia (West Bengal)—to keep children, especially girls, in school and to build confidence, life skills, and long-term aspiration. Over the years, 120+ tribal children have been supported through schooling, smart learning support, vocational education, and structured mentoring.
This year, that holistic approach has found a strong new expression through Karate—a sport that is steadily becoming a powerful platform for self-discipline, self-defence, and self-belief in West Bengal (much like Judo has been for our children in Gurgaon).
Three Young Champions, One Shared Story of Grit
Barsha Sing Sardar (Class VII | Lowakui Village)
Barsha comes from a poor tribal family and lost her father at a young age. Her mother—now the sole earning member—works as a daily labourer and sweeper to support the household. Initially shy and physically weak, Barsha joined karate training under Literacy India’s Gurukul programme. Through regular practice, she built strength, discipline, and confidence. She went on to represent the Lowakui Gurukul at a state-level championship conducted by Ankur Karate Academy, winning one Silver medal and one Bronze medal.
Kalpana Paramanik (Class IX | Saragdih Village)
Kalpana’s father runs a small book stall in Baghmundi, supporting the family with limited means. Quiet and underconfident in the beginning, Kalpana committed herself to karate training with determination. Within four to five months, her techniques, balance, stamina, and courage improved remarkably. At the State-Level Karate Mahatsav (Ankur Karate Academy, Howrah), she competed with participants across West Bengal and won a Gold medal—a proud moment for her family, school, and Gurukul.
Pallab Kumar (Gobindapur Village)
Pallab is a disciplined student enrolled in Literacy India’s Remedial Smart Classes (Class IX) and has long dreamed of representing the nation in karate. With no access to training facilities in his village, he began learning on his own—practising at school and observing others. Recognising his passion, Literacy India supported his entry into professional training. His progress in technique, speed, balance, and stamina has been steady, and he recently represented Literacy India at the State-Level Karate Mahotsav in Howrah, Kolkata, gaining valuable exposure and competitive experience.
Why This Matters: Education Needs the Whole Child
These journeys remind us that learning does not happen only through textbooks. Sport builds what every child needs to succeed—confidence, discipline, resilience, teamwork, focus, and the courage to step forward. When education supports the whole child, children don’t just learn better—they live better.
As we continue strengthening Gurukul in Purulia, we invite partners and supporters to walk with us—so more children from remote communities can stay in school, grow in confidence, and rise beyond limitations.
Because when we invest in the whole child, the child fights fewer battles alone.
In Chandankiyari block of Bokaro, Jharkhand, young women often grow up with limited access to higher education and career-oriented training. Through Literacy India’s Jharna Centre, and with the support of our PAN IIT partnership (over the last one year) that enabled strong collaboration and placement-linked pathways, two determined learners—Gayatri Kumari and Sidi Kumari—moved from vulnerability to visible progress in technical skilling.
Gayatri Kumari: From Tailoring to Mobile Assembling
Gayatri comes from a financially fragile household where seasonal farming income made access to skill training difficult. She began at the Jharna Centre with tailoring, a familiar option that helped her build discipline, confidence, and a habit of structured learning.
Her turning point came when she was introduced to basic electrical concepts and mobile assembling demonstrations at the centre. Discovering a genuine interest in technology, she chose to shift from traditional training to a placement-oriented Mobile Assembling Training Program enabled through collaboration.
During the course, Gayatri gained hands-on technical skills—component identification, circuit testing, fault analysis, smartphone assembly/disassembly, ESD safety, and tool management—along with workplace discipline and quality standards.
Sidi Kumari: From Resistance to Results
Sidi, from Lalpur village, completed Class X but could not pursue further education due to financial constraints and social expectations. She wanted to learn technical skills and become financially independent, but the idea initially faced resistance at home and in the community.
With consistent counselling and support from the Literacy India team, Sidi enrolled in Literacy India’s Electrical Course, learning core concepts, wiring, safety practices, and workplace discipline. To strengthen her employability further, she also completed Mobile Repair and Smartphone Maintenance training through a collaborative partner.
Her commitment and steady effort translated into strong technical competence and growing self-belief.
A Shared Milestone
Today, both Gayatri and Sidi have been placed at Tata Electronics (Tamil Nadu)—a proud outcome of their determination, structured training, and the ecosystem of support created through Literacy India’s Jharna Centre and the PAN IIT partnership.
In the high-altitude villages of Nurla and Alchi (Leh district), winter shuts down most outdoor work for months. Yet Ladakhi women keep going—steady, resilient, and always finding ways to support their families.
To strengthen local livelihoods, Literacy India helped set up handloom weaving looms for 40+ women in Nurla and Alchi. The looms are enabling women to create warm stoles and shawls—for the community and for tourists who value Ladakh’s craft heritage.
One such woman is Kunzes, a 38-year-old from Alchi. She lives with her two children, while her husband stays at home due to health and work limitations. The family depends largely on a small pension, often insufficient during Ladakh’s long, harsh winters.
Kunzes enrolled in the handloom weaving skill training with determination. The programme is designed around Ladakh’s reality—winter months, when farming and labour are nearly impossible, are used for learning and production. Step by step, she is building stronger handloom techniques, improving finishing quality, and developing products.
Today, Kunzes—like many women in the group—is spending her winter days at the loom, weaving shawls and scarves and preparing stock for sales. Her journey reflects quiet strength: turning a season of hardship into a pathway of dignity, skill, and self-reliance.
These stories remind us—when learning is supported with skills and opportunity, confidence follows. Thank you for walking with Literacy India as we help more children and women rise with dignity.
Happy New Year ! Happy New Start – Back with more energy
