Ardhendu came to my house in the early morning. He kept his cycle at my house. From here, we started for Howrah Station. Rupasi Bangla started at 6-10 a.m. At 8 a.m. it reached at Kharagpur station. We finished our breakfast with Idli and Vara bought from Comsup company at howrah station. At 10 am. we reached at Bishnupur, the temple town.
Siddheswarbabu waited for us with car. From the station, we went to Bishnupur circle office. There, I met Mr. Ajit Hazra, the AI who assisted me in my earlier visit at Gangajal Ghati. I took him along with other AIs. Due to calvert damage, we avoided high way. Almost in the forest, we lost the direction of our canal road. We asked here and there but did not get adequate reply.Finally, we found one creek, full of water. Our driver got down and examined water level. Considering his assurance, we crossed the creek and finally reached at the canal road. This canal was from the Kansabati river. On the way, we found one bullock cart. Our driver stopped sound of the car and the cart slowly passed away. At that time, we all got down from the car.
This road is toward Joypur forest. Driver was asked to increase speed so that we could not face such trouble. There was high possibility for attack by elephants on the way to Joypur circle office. At the circle office, we were treated well. We took tea and some foods there. From here, we took one Shiksha bondhu to reach at Maynapur panchayet.
First we selected one school, away from the main road. Ardhendu was assigned to collect data from this school. Next I went to one school near by panchayet office but I did not find adequate school climate and size of students. Therefore, we went to 20 km away from this school and found one good school.
I personally collected data from the school. During returning the answer sheet, I asked them the reasons for education. They told me two reasons loudly:
1. Nobody could cheat them
2. They could understand the nature of chemicals used in agriculture
School Head master told me that villagers offered them one pond nearby the school. I was shocked hearing that the pond will be used for cooking mid day meals.
I adviced teachers to use natural resources fully for preparing teaching learning material.
Next, I came to earlier school and collected data from Ardhendu. I adviced there to introduce wall magazine. Shiksha bondhu Ms. Soma Roy got down from the car on the way. At Joypur bus stand , Mr. Hazra got down. Finally AI bade good bye at the Bishnupur station. At station, I got mail from Susmita about overwhelming response to her counselling class at Jorhat.
At 11 p.m. we reached at our house.
28.9.07
Bankura is located in the western part of the State of West Bengal. It is a part of Bardhaman Division of the State and included in the area known as "Rarh" in Bengal. It ranks 4th according to Population and literacy rate of 2001 Census in the State. The District Bankura is bounded by latitude 22038’ N and longitude 86036’ E to 87047’ E. River Demodar flows along the northern boundary of the district. The adjacent districts are Bardhaman in the north, Purulia in the west and Paschim Medinapure in the south. On 27th September, I told about my journey to the DPSC chairman. From him, I understood that Gangajalghati is least literate and Joypur is the most literate rural block of Bankura. He requested me to contact DI for the arrangement. Amrita assisted me in arranging all the documents and files for collection of data.
I early morning started for Howrah Station by taxi. Rupasi Bangla started at 6-18 a.m. I reached at Bankura station at 10-30. Next, by auto I went to Bidyabhawan and to Shikshabhaban. I requested DI to select one school wherein I got more number of students. He suggested me Amarkanan school at GangajalGhati. One Assistant Inspector was with me during my journey to GangajalGhati by hired car. The school is just at the main road. There I found 16 students (7 students in class V and 9 students in class IV). I collected data from them through questionnaires. Questionnaires included three modules - socio economic condition, attitude towards infrastructure and school attendance motivation. Academic achievement test was administered to them. Data related to attendance were collected from Head Mistress. Data were also collected from the teachers.
School has historical signifcance. Freedom fighters were trained in this school. One Ramakrishna Mission is nearby the school. It took more time (2-30 pm.) to finsh the data collection. My schedule train is from Durgapore which is 35 Km away from Gangajal Ghati. Again the road is not very safe and full of high and low lands. I can not arrange another visit as school is closed at 3-30 p.m. At 5-30 pm., I reached at Durgapur station. I felt absence of Amrita during my whole journey. If she would be with me, I could collect the data from another school and it would not take much time for collection of data. Due to health hazard, it was not possible for her to be with me. During my return journey, I felt horrible experience. Road condition is very poor and it appears to me that all my bones are breaking. Due to sponge iron mill, I felt very high suffocation. I can not understand why do we pollute our environment in this way ? Many people are supposed to have respiratory problem. I felt vomiting sensation on the way to Durgapore.
At the station, car driver told me that he could not give me printed bill. He charged Rs. 750 but finally he found that he could not claim more than Rs.600 (120km X Rs.5.00).
Finally, I came to my residence at 11-30 PM and was understood that Amrita was seriously ill. She inspired me throughout my journey but never told her problem. I should not forget her contribution in background.
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