"ONE EDUCATION SYSTEM FOR ALL"- 8 YEAR OLD KUMAR RAJ CHOURASIA
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| 8 year old Kumar Chourasia with the Placard |
Patna,May 15:The occasion was a conference for people of the Chourasia caste,generally into Betel trade,at the S K Memorial Hall in Patna.Before Nitish Kumar's(Bihar Chief Minister) arrival,the boy was seen roaming around with a placard requesting participants and the Chief Minister to allow him to speak.As soon as Nitish entered the hall,the boy rushed towards the dais with the placard,before security personnel stopped him.
But the boy did not lose heart.He kept raising the placard along with a garland that he wanted to offer to the Chief Minister.The boy did not move an inch as leader after leader delivered his or her speech.
Around half-an-hour later,Nitish noticed the boy and asked the organisers to allow him to speak.The boy climbed onto the stage and garlanded Nitish.He was then given a cordless microphone.
Microphone in hand,the class III student spoke Extempore.
"I thank the chief minister for including people of our caste under extremely backward classes(EBC's),but I stand here to demand a system which does not require such doles,"the little speaker said, adding:"Why can't we have a system which doesn't require such doles?The root cause of inequality is the different type of education offered to children.While children of poor people study in Government schools,those from affluent homes go to private schools where standards are far better."
The organisers butted in to ask the boy to make his speech short,but Nitish said:"Let the boy speak."
The boy said : "If I become the Prime Minister,I will close all the private schools and there would be only one system of education for all.Let me ask you people of Chourasia caste,do you think that by getting quota,the future of children would be bright?No,it is not so.Why cannot we grow without reservation?"
A hush fell as everybody,including Nitish,listened to the boy attentively.The boy spoke for 10 minutes,laying emphasis on the education system in Bihar.
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| Nitish placing the Betel garland on the boy |
A huge round of applause followed.Nitish called him over and placed the Betel garland the organisers had given him on the boy's neck.
Asked how the boy knows many things,his father said : "He takes interest on his own and sits with me when I read the newspaper.When I heard Nitish would attend this programme,I brought him along,as he wanted to attend it."
Nitish praised the boy,saying : "I am impressed and bless this boy for a bright future.He said he wants to become a Prime Minister.It is possible.If a chaiwala(referring to Narendra Modi) can become PM,Why can't a paanwala (Betel Trader)?
You must think big."
