Memorable Visit of Smt. Anandiben Premubhai Thakar Kanya Vidyalaya, Shamadpur

A memorable visit to Smt. Anandiben Premubhai Thakar Kanya Vidyalaya, Shamadpur, Near Shamadaji, Taluka Bhiloda, Dist. Aravalli , Gujarat on 20/12/2014 with Mr. Sureshbhai Parmar (Trustee) ,Mrs Shobhana Sureshbhai Parmar, Mr. Yogeshbhai Darji, Mr. Ratilal Chauhan and Ms. Asmita Chauhan.

Smt. Anandiben Premubhai Thakar Kanya Vidyalaya is a dream project of Mr. Premubhai Thakar of Godhmaji, Gujarat who retired at the age of 52 years and devoted all his life and wealth for the welfare and benefit of the children of the Adivasi of Sabarkantha (now Aravalli) District. It is a High School from Std 8th to Std 12th
Shri Premubhai Thakar, today, at the age of 85 is still actively devoted to the day to day working, expansion and development of the school. He has been striving ceaselessly to provide all round facility to the best of his capability with the help of his philanthropists contacts to around 390 Adivasi girls, who are studying in the school.

Of the 390 girls about 200 girls are staying in the hostel in the campus of the school called Smt. Anandiben Premubhai Thakar Meera Kanya Chhatralaya, Shamadpur.

It was a delight to visit the school and meet the beaming girls who are full of happiness and excitement towards life. It was overwhelming to see the cultural activities performed by the girls for welcoming us, the welcome dance and the Adivasi folk dance performed in their marriages. We could see the hidden talent within them which was being brought forth, thanks to the ceaseless efforts of Mr. Premubhai Thakar, Mr. Vasantbhai Patel (Principal) and all teachers of the school.

I tried to motivate the girls to obtain higher education and peruse some dream career like teaching, becoming Doctor, Engineer, Administrative Services through UPSC and GPSC, get in several services through competitive exams as they have several benefits/quota in government services. I told them to have a dream to become something in life and only if they dream big, they can fulfill their dream and make their family, society and country proud.

To motivate the girls and to inculcate the feeling of getting the best from the girls in their academics, Mr. Sureshbhai Parmar wished to felicitate the toppers of Std. 10th who had got percentage above 60%. The gifts viz. handbag given to about 25 such girls and also handed over cash prize of Rs.100/- to each girl to keep up their motivation and do the best in their studies.

We spent enough time with the girls and talked to them about their families and things they require in the school. One requirement which was brought to the notice of Shri Premubhai Thakar by one of the girls that morning was the necessity of hot water for bathing etc. as there is extreme cold in the winter months. The solution was found by deciding to install solar panels to provide continuous supply of hot water to the girls.

In totality a very good experience being with the girls and I hope to visit them every year and give my support and best wishes to them to upgrade them in their life and career.

By: Yogini Dinkar Chauhan, ICLS, AOL, Bombay High Court.