The youngest is 55 and and the oldest 90, but all 35 of them have one dream: to read and write. As its name suggests, Aajibaichi Shala , at Phangane village in Murbad of Thane district, is a school for grandmothers. They learn arithmetic as well, and it’s clear that age is just a number.
“It is important to educate older people who never got an opportunity to go to school. That’s why started the school. It brings happiness to their lives and makes the village 100% literate,” says Yogendra Bangar, the founder of the school.
The idea struck Bangar during Shivaji Jayanti in 2016 when some of the women expressed a wish to read the Marathi book Shiv Charitra . The next month, on March 8, International Women’s Day, he started the school.
“I can’t scold them, and I have to give them personal attention. Because many are hard of hearing and some can’t see properly, we have to teach them individually, by holding their hands,” says Sheetal, a teacher here.
The grandmothers come to school with bags and books, and all in saris of a bright pink, which is specially liberating for those of them who’ve lost their husbands.
“When we go to the bank, we feel ashamed to put our thumb impression instead of signing. We felt the need to at least sign our names,” says Kantabai, a student.
“My father couldn’t educate me because our family was poor and our parents were busy working the lands. But now that I can read, I feel proud in front of my children and grandchildren,” says Gulaab Kedar, another student.
(Vibhav Birwatkar is a freelance photographer based in Thane)
One by one: Teacher Sheetal More from the same village gives individual attention to her wards.
The day begins: Students pray before class begins at Aajibaichi Shala, or school for grandmothers, at Phangane village in Murbad of Thane district.
Lettered voters: Grandmothers show their Aadhar card to their teacher. They will use it as their identity card to vote in the Lok Sabha election, and the school has equipped them to sign at the polling booth rather than affixing their thumb impression.
Good bond: The teacher is patient enough to accommodate the special needs of her students, many of whom are hard of hearing or have fading eyesight.
Write and show: The grandmothers have a smile on their faces after completing school work.
Special class: After her school hours, Rupali Balkrishna Kedar teaches her grandmother, Shevantabai Kedar, Gulaab Kedar and Seetabai Deshmukh.
Now for homework: Dropadi Pandurang Kedar coming home from school.