The words ‘Swapnapuron’ means ‘dream come true’ in Bengali language, which perfectly defines Satarupa’s experience with the school she started in remote Sundarbans with five centres currently.
The rich Sundarbans is a low-lying cluster of islands, which is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, Irawadi dolphins, and estuarine crocodiles, all of which are endangered species. But it’s also where poverty, physical isolation and harsh climatic conditions are a norm. Especially in the island of Hingalganj where Satarupa Majumdar’s schools are located.
She first visited the island to help her aunt make donations and was taken aback with the state of children who were either playing in the mud or rolling beedis. Her noble intentions to uplift the kids through education got her shuttling from Kolkata to the tiny village and back, every weekend. Though there were government schools in the vicinity her desire to offer higher education got her renting and building a makeshift school.
Since then she has worked on convincing the parents to send their kids to school, training the teachers and building Swapnopuron Welfare Society (SWS) over the years.
Majority of Indian parents view English proficiency as a pathway to economic stability as it helps secure higher paying jobs and access to a different strata of society. This mindset has been predominant since the British rule in India.
Ironically English language skills have become a crucial asset for employment in India, as the job market is integrated with many global firms. As per data, 85% of employers rate English as a valuable skill, and more than 50% use English proficiency tests during hiring. An English speaking candidate could negotiate a better salary package compared to their skilled vernacular aspirants. According to the ASER 2023 survey, only 57.3% of rural youth could read basic English sentences, indicating limitations in foundational language skills in many regions. Two main challenges are the availability of proficient English teachers and the infrastructure needed to setup schools.
But through her perseverance Satarupa is addressing the challenges of basic school infrastructure and a good cadre of teachers in Hingalganj. It isn’t just a school but a portal to possibilities for many children there. I feel her efforts to concentrate on one island helps create a focused initiative that addresses local needs ensuring that every resource is maximized.
P.S. Sunderbans gets its name from the mangrove trees called ‘Sundari’, which are abundant in the area.
Check out the post on Instagram and encourage Satarupa Majumdar's work and the kid's efforts. Leave a comment on the post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DB6cSZ9IX8s/
