Vijay Iyer’s ‘Shiksha Rath’: A Moving School for Bhopal’s Children
In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, a 37-year-old two-wheeler mechanic named Vijay Iyer has created a unique way to educate underprivileged children. He runs a moving school called ‘Shiksha Rath’ on his scooter, stopping at different slums to teach children for free.
Vijay Iyer started this initiative three years ago after the COVID-19 pandemic. Every morning, he leaves his home in Teela Jamalpura and spends his day repairing scooters and teaching children until sunset. Inspired by an elderly woman named Saraswati Bhawani, who believed in the importance of education for every child, Iyer transformed his scooter into a mobile classroom.
The scooter, decorated with posters of ‘Education Express,’ ‘Scooter School,’ and ‘Shiksha Rath,’ is equipped with a storage box and a speaker. The box contains books, toys, dresses, and other educational materials. Iyer also carries a carpet and a projector to start classes wherever children gather. He teaches through songs and stories, making learning fun for the children.
In addition to teaching, Iyer provides books, copies, and toys to needy children for free. A banner on his scooter encourages people to donate items like computers, laptops, study tables, chairs, school bags, clothes, toys, and stationery for the children.
Iyer, who is also an engineer, explained that he was inspired by Saraswati Bhawani, a Cluster Resource Person who worked to provide primary education in remote areas. With her guidance and financial support from the Bhawani family, Iyer has connected with over 3000 underprivileged children in Bhopal. He also educates children in more than 60 Anganwadi centers in the city.
Through ‘Shiksha Rath,’ Iyer distributes study materials like bags, books, and shoes. He uses a projector to impart knowledge to the children. Iyer’s efforts have motivated children in slum areas and migrant worker communities to pursue education.
Due to the dense population in slum areas, big vehicles cannot reach there, so Iyer designed his scooter to navigate these areas easily. His dedication and innovative approach have made a significant impact on the lives of many children in Bhopal.
Doubts Revealed
Vijay Iyer -: Vijay Iyer is a person who lives in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. He is 37 years old and works as a mechanic. He also runs a mobile school to teach children who don’t have access to education.
Shiksha Rath -: ‘Shiksha Rath’ means ‘Education Chariot’ in Hindi. It is the name of the mobile school that Vijay Iyer runs on his scooter to teach children.
Bhopal -: Bhopal is a city in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is known for its lakes and historical places.
Madhya Pradesh -: Madhya Pradesh is a state in central India. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage.
Underprivileged children -: Underprivileged children are kids who do not have the same opportunities as others, often because they are poor or live in difficult conditions.
Saraswati Bhawani -: Saraswati Bhawani is a person or family that inspired Vijay Iyer to start his mobile school. They also support his efforts to educate children.
Slums -: Slums are areas in cities where people live in very poor conditions, often without proper houses, clean water, or sanitation.
Anganwadi centers -: Anganwadi centers are places in India where young children are taken care of and taught basic things before they go to school. They also provide food and health care.
Projector -: A projector is a device that shows videos or images on a big screen or wall. Vijay Iyer uses it to make learning more fun for the children.