The Maharaja of Baroda, Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III, was an unusual man. In 1908, he gave a young "untouchable" from Maharastra a full scholarship to Columbia University (NYC). The young man obtained his MA from Columbia, then grew to become one of India's leading lights and the author of the Indian constitution. The Rainbow Primary School teachers have adopted this great Indian, Dr. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, as the guardian "spirit" for the school. His picture will go on the school sign and on the outside walls of the new school building.
Mahesh is our greatest student; we think he will be our Dr. Ambedkar.
He is a born gentleman, a genuinely gifted student, and mature for his age -- even for a slum child. His mother, a widow, sent him for to work during the summer holiday. When school started, there was no Mahesh. His mother had decided 800 rupees a month was more important than school. After weeks of knocking on his mothers door and begging to send him back to the school, he is back in the fifth standard class.
The teachers and I have "deep selected" him to go to private school next year, as the Rainbow School only offers up to fifth standard. He would be wasted trying to fit into the government school system. How he survived this far is a miracle. Most gifted children would run away from the typical rote learning drills and the big sticks the teachers use in those crowded classes. This is a talented young boy. This is what is waiting in the slums of India and the slums everywhere. And there are more...even here at the Rainbow School. But, for now, I'm
Mahesh is our greatest student; we think he will be our Dr. Ambedkar.
He is a born gentleman, a genuinely gifted student, and mature for his age -- even for a slum child. His mother, a widow, sent him for to work during the summer holiday. When school started, there was no Mahesh. His mother had decided 800 rupees a month was more important than school. After weeks of knocking on his mothers door and begging to send him back to the school, he is back in the fifth standard class.
The teachers and I have "deep selected" him to go to private school next year, as the Rainbow School only offers up to fifth standard. He would be wasted trying to fit into the government school system. How he survived this far is a miracle. Most gifted children would run away from the typical rote learning drills and the big sticks the teachers use in those crowded classes. This is a talented young boy. This is what is waiting in the slums of India and the slums everywhere. And there are more...even here at the Rainbow School. But, for now, I'm
looking for the Maharaja of Baroda.
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