By H.D. Ramesh

A student from the Government School near the forest border and son of a very poor couple living in Tribal Hamlet (Girijana Haadi), Sachin, has brought laurels to the school and parents by being selected for the State-level Athletic Meet.

Even teachers and parents of the taluk’s Kogilwadi Government Higher Primary School where Sachin is a seventh student, are all praise for his achievements.

These days Government Schools that too in forest border areas which normally lack all facilities are shunned by everyone as there are other private schools which offer better facilities. But this Government School, near the wildlife area adjoining Anechowkur forest range has proved that it is an exception.

There is an opportunity for students both boys and girls to study from 1st STD to 7th STD. There are 84 students in all out of which 48 belong to Varthi Tribal Settlement’s Jenu Kuruba community and there are four teachers.

As there is no proper road connection to the school from the Haadi, St. Mary Trust’s Akshara Atma Trust is providing vehicle facility to ferry the students from home to school for six months in a year. The children of Kogilwadi of the Girijan Hadi have been provided with an opportunity to study in the school which is just half-a-kilometre from their settlement.

Sachin, who is the son of Shiva and Seethe, has an elder and younger sister. The elder sister is married to a boy from the same Haadi, while the younger sister is studying in fifth standard in the same school.

There is no power connection at their house and the parents lead their lives by tilling the field growing corn and during off season, they work as daily wagers. In spite of the daily challenges the parents face, they are keen to see that their son is well educated and emerges as a champion athlete.

In this effort Head Master N.S. Mahesh, Assistant Teachers B.K. Nagarathnamma and R. Lakshamma, guest teacher Poornima, volunteers M. Raghu and Anand, who are acting as physical education teachers, are responsible for Sachin’s achievements, acknowledges Shiva.

Sachin, who has been striving hard since the last one year, participated in the hobli and taluk level in 100 metres sprint, discus throw, 4X100 metres relay, and Kabbadi and bagged first place. At the district-level sports he won gold medals in discus throw, 100 metres dash and shot put and got selected for the State Level.

This school was selected for the Green School Investor Award in 2014-15 and in 2019 it bagged the Best School Award. Philanthropist Erappaji, who has donated 20 guntas of land for the school, feels that his gesture has brought him satisfaction, as the school is really doing well.

The SDMC (School Development Council) President Shankarappa was sending his children to a private school. However, after noticing the activities in this Government Higher Primary School, he has removed them from the private school and admitted them here. Now, he says that he will provide all assistance to the school and was all praise for Sachin and hoped that he would represent at the National-level soon.

My goal is to represent the country

In the coming days I will strive hard to see that I will represent the country. I will put in all efforts to achieve this goal. I pay my respects to everyone who have been responsible for my success so far. — Sachin

Proud of Sachin

Sachin who is selected for the State-level championship is the pride of our school. Many people are now coming forward to give sports equipment. Chowti Gram Panchayat Development Officer Mohan has given a costly pair of sports shoes for training and trainers Raghu and Anand have given tracksuit. Likewise, the trainers were also guiding Sachin to chose the sports that suits him based on the strength of his body. Hence, the school, in its first attempt, was able to achieve success. —N.S. Mahesh, Head Master