Jackson Tayeng

ITANAGAR/ Lada, Mar 1: Situated in an administrative circle which is still devoid of the basic amenities that commonly define a human settlement, Government Middle School Lada is setting an example for others by implementing government schemes even with limited governmental support. 
Situated at a mountain top and almost 170 km (via Thirizino) away from district headquarters Seppa, Lada is one of the remotest Circles of East Kameng district, which, even in the current era of Digital India is lacking road connectivity along with no mobile network, all contributing handsomely to people’s misery particularly the students. 
Proper implementation of the government’s mega project like Mid Day Meal (MDM) in GMS Lada is next to impossible due to its distance, altitude and absence of connectivity. Amidst such hardships, teachers of the school led by its Headmaster In-charge Fai Sonam Tara are trying their best to provide MDM at least four to five days a week. 
“Forget about other items, to bring rice for MDM in Lada is itself a tough job,” informed Tara and narrated that they usually depend on dropping of ration through helicopters which is like once in a blue moon. Under such frustrating situation, rice has to be procured from Seppa, followed next by travelling to Bameng and from there to Lada, involving hiring of people to carry loads that results in coughing up almost double the actual price, narrated the Headmaster.
“We give an extra Rs 1500-2000 based on the weight of the rice bags to the hired people and this extra financial burden is beyond the government allotted budget,” he added.
When asked about other MDM items besides rice, Headmaster said receiving those is like a distant dream and as a solution, a kitchen garden has been started.
Detailing the success of the innovative idea, he said that due to favourable soil and weather conditions of Lada, fertilizers are not required and since last two years vegetable dishes are being provided to the children and at times of abundant production, vegetables are even distributed to the nearby villagers and students’ parents. Fully organic vegetables like carrot, cauliflower, cabbage, chilli, broccoli, radish, spinach, okra, mustard leaves are some of the vegetables grown in the garden, informed Tara, stating that they usually don’t depend on government’s financial aid except for rice.
Responding to a query on how they manage both classes and gardening, the Headmaster informed that classes are not disrupted due to this as students and teachers jointly carry on the gardening during off days and on the day earmarked for social service. And as most of the teachers stay inside the campus, they devote their time after school hours. Besides knowledge of books, gardening also gives practical awareness to the students on environmental studies and how to adapt oneself in such critical situations, the Headmaster remarked. 
Officially, the MDM is supposed to include daal, khichdi, fruits, kheer and even sweets, but for remote schools like GMS Lada, they remain on paper only.
Lack of internet, electricity, proper rooms, meagre and even irregular salaries have failed to discourage  teachers like Fai Sonam Tara, Lal Singh Gurung, Mukesh  Kumar Ram and Mukesh Kumar Yadav from their noble profession and they continue performing their academic and other duties with full dedication and minimum leave, thus setting examples worth emulating. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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