Gyan Shakti

She wakes up every morning to begin a long and lonely bike ride through the leopard hills. Her destination is a local school far away from civilization. Cultural schemes don’t allow what she is doing. A woman with such a self imposed task is exposed to harassment, social degradation, and the natural dangers of the forest sanctuary inhabited by all kind of wild life. None of these threats have minimized her strength and determination. Against all odds, she is faithful to her calling; to reach almost fifty children and give them the gift and right of education. These children are the sons and daughters of the farm workers, one of the many underprivileged in India. There is no building, only one board, no seats but personal lots of dirt shared by all. There are no fancy uniforms, much less shoes or school supplies. However, every day they walk to school with a smile, a fervent desire to learn, and gratitude in their hearts.

Today, I met them; the same innocent faces that have caught my heart ever since I landed here. They have nothing but feel happy with anything. They know there’s a woman who has been risking comfort, social status, her reputation and her name to be with them bringing hope and the possibility of a different life. They hold their hand as their savior.

Gyan in Hindi means wisdom and enlightment. Shakti is the sacred force, the energy that empowers us. Gyan Shakti is the name of this school in the middle of nowhere. Wisdom and empowerment are the sacred offering this devoted teacher is giving to these children. Teachers are many but there is always one who would make a significant difference in our lives; the one to whom teaching is much more than a profession but an integral part of her life, like a second skin.

Back home we are always asking for more even though we have everything. Teachers in general, me included, complain about harsh working conditions, huge classes, and low salaries but we do teach with high tech, in nice air conditioned buildings, and a monthly salary that could supply a whole year of food for these children. Meeting them and their teacher was like fresh breeze of enlightment and empowerment. Probably this time I missed the target but the lessons learned stay with me as a reminder that we all posses that sacred force that would translate into Gyan for a whole new generation.