Six policemen join initiative to teach, motivate slum kids

Despite working six days a week, 12 hours every day, six police officers working with Panvel’s Khandeshwar police have decided to devote two hours every Sunday to teaching and motivating 45 underprivileged slum children.

The initiative was kicked-off on October 2 by Panvel-based social group, Maharashtra Police Mitra Parivar, along with Khandeshwar police. A group member, Sushil More, said that “School at the doorstep” was the new endeavour that allowed students access their primary right i.e. to get educated. Having successfully conducted the first session, the group had gathered 45 children after visiting their homes and convincing their parents to send them to school. A small room near the slums had been chosen so that children did not have to travel far.

Among the six police officers, Khandeshwar police station PSI, Suresh Thorat, was the first to show interest in the initiative. “I liked the concept thought I would support them. These children's parents don't have time to look after them nor do they have the money to enroll their children in a good school. Some of my police friends and me decided to take the initiative to encourage these children to learn good things,” he said.

Also among the six, Senior PI Amar Desai, Khandeshwar police station, said, “Earlier, I didn’t know about the initiative taken up by my juniors to help these children. Today, I want to motivate these children to join the police as they are the future. I would love to visit the children once a month to interact with them. This is a good step to bridge the gap between the police and underprivileged children. As they don’t get education and guidance, they are drawn to crime but now, we are helping them learn.”

One of the parents, Aarti Jadhav, said, “I work at construction sites and don't earn enough money to teach my three children. After this initiative, I can imagine a better life for them.”