Nurturing educated minds in Naxal affected Gaya

Dobhi (Gaya), July 20 : Many young girls in Bihar's Naxal-affected Gaya district are being given elementary education and trained for vocational purposes to enable them lead a better life.

Though the "Mahila Shikshan Kendra" (or, the women education centre) here was opened last year, it became fully functional a few months ago. hese students, many of whom are underage married women, are educated at the centre about personal and family healthcare besides familiarizing them about HIV/AIDS.

Besides, the students are informed about various laws that can be handy in the hour of need for them and their families. Students also learn about herbal medicines and how to weave fabric from jute.

Moreover, these students also learn self-defence techniques.

"Other than routine studies we discuss issues related to women, awareness on AIDS and law. We also teach them to use jute and herbal medicines. We have also taken them to the police station where they learn about the law and the functioning of the police," said Kumari Jyoti Prabha, a teacher, Mahila Shikshan Kendra, Dobhi in Gaya.

These girls are happy to attend classes, which are intended to help them deal with day-to-day issues as informed minds. The school started on May 21st. We are learning whatever they teach here. They teach us to learn Hindi, Mathematics, Yoga, Karate and devotional subjects," said Arti Kumari, one student at the Mahila Shikshan Kendra in Dobhi.

Some of these girls have been asked by their in-laws to study for the uplift of their families.

"I have been sent by my in-laws so that I could learn something here. I never attended school before joining this education centre," said Meena Devi, another student. By Surya Pratap SinghANI)

ANI