New Delhi: Amid Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s repeated claim that ‘Gujarat Model of Development' is best in the country, a shocking story has emerged from the eastern part of the state. Nearly 125 kids from 16 tribal villages in Chhota Udepur district of Gujarat have to swim through a river to reach their school.
Boys and girls from Sajanpura village and others swim for thirty minutes to cross the 600 metre Hiran river and later they walk for around five kilometers in order to attend the nearest school in their vicinity.
The girls carry a heavy pot keeping their bags in it, which helps them to stay afloat.
The kids, however, are accompanied by at least one person daily to ensure that they reach school safely. They are forced to attend their classes in wet uniforms.
Although no major incident has taken place till date, but some crocodiles have been spotted in the river, hence the villagers fear that some tragedy might happen some day.
Locals alleged despite reporting the matter several times to the Gujarat government, no efforts have been taken by the authorities to construct a bridge here.
According to a village sarpanch, former CM Narendra Modi had in 2009 assured villagers to expedite the construction of a bridge but no concrete steps have taken place so far.
The river, in summer season, is nearly dry, but once monsoon sets in, kids struggle huge to reach their school.
Meanwhile, the ‘Gujarat Model of Development' has once again become a hot topic of discussion with the Congress raising question mark over the BJP's claim to provide ‘quality education' to children.
“After 19 years of the BJP rule in Gujarat, if children have to swim to school... is it not an eloquent tribute to the ‘Gujarat Model of Development'? Given the rather bizarre ideas they have about curriculum to be taught wonder if by 2019 would have a generation swimming in ignorance?” Congress leader Manish Tewari wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.
story image courtesy: indianexpress
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