Team News Riveting
Bengaluru, November 14
Top cops hogging the headlines for their innovative services in the sideline of policing have been in news but a comparatively junior-ranked policeman following suit makes it an interesting stuff.
Sub-Inspector in Karnataka police, Shanthappa Jademmanavr, had made it possible. Before heading to work, he conducts classes for the children of migrant labourers for almost two hours every day.
Much junior in the rank, the man in Khaki has turned teacher; ensuring the children of migrant labourers cherish their hopes and dreams. When the students are now opting for a hi-tech teaching method with on-line classes, Shanthappa sits with his students in open space and renders the exemplary service.
The policeman teaches students for almost two hours. Besides Vedic Maths, he covers General Knowledge, Science and Moral Values. “I feel education is an effective and efficient tool for empowerment. I am a migrant labourer’s child, and I know the difficulties a migrant child would face,” Shanthappa says.
The concept clicked when he saw students roaming on the roads, not attending classes. “I was completely broken to see this plight. I understood that these students were not receiving any education from their parents, as both of them worked as migrant workers to meet the daily needs,” he adds.
The 30-year-old officer used to teach students in an open space with a blackboard. Nowadays, he has switched to a whiteboard, though the lessons remain the same. The sub-inspector said that many sponsors had already gotten in touch with him to help the students. The officer makes sure he gets the best for them. Now the students have solar lights at their sheds, along with clothes and food.
Interestingly, Shanthappa has a habit of ‘naming’ the students. If one is called ‘Mahatma Gandhi’, another is known as ‘BR Ambedkar’, and yet another is ‘Udham Singh’. “One day, my students will become as famous as our leaders. So I like to call them by those names,” he says.
With the help of a lady doctor, the policeman also conducted awareness sessions for girl students. “I can happily say that my students now use sanitary pads and have a better life. Many of the students didn’t even know how to use sanitary pads as their parents are illiterate. But now, they are aware of basic hygiene and sanitation. I can proudly say that I have done the best for my students by all means possible,” says Shantappa.
