Timely cover story
I HAVE been a reader of EducationWorld for over a decade now. Congratulations on your 23rd anniversary issue (EW November). I particularly like the insightful cover story ‘Reviving the lost art of philanthropy and fundraising’.
The number of HNI (high networth individuals) and unicorn companies in India are multiplying rapidly as reported by several global wealth surveys, and the middle class having expanded to 350 million. Therefore this is an ideal time for all of us to practice philanthropy, however small, to upgrade India’s education institutions into globally respected institutions of learning.
Narasimhan Iyengar
MYSURU
Resonant chord
YOUR ANNIVERSARY issue was information packed and insightful, especially the four special essays written by eminent educationists. In particular, Dr. Sunita Gandhi’s ‘Successful foundational learning model’ struck a resonant chord.
I have a really good feeling about Dr. Gandhi’s high-potential ALfA (accelerated learning for all) model whose pilot programme has shown such excellent outcomes. I agree with her that it is possible for the Centre’s Nipun Bharat programme to universalise foundational literacy and numeracy within months, rather than years.
Sandhya Merwade
NAGPUR
Disappointing omission
I FIND it ironic that your magazine included a mere 17 schools in the league table of philanthropy schools in the EW India School Rankings 2022-23 (EW October).
I work for an NGO and was hoping to find more schools in your philanthropy list, but was thoroughly disappointed. I know of several schools managed by trusts, religious mutts and Christian missionaries that charge Re.1 tuition fee to the poor, which have been conveniently overlooked. Time to boost the morale of philanthropy schools!
Anjali Thomas on EMAIL
Our sample respondents were unaware of them. Schools rated by less than 25 respondents are not ranked — Editor
Barefoot misconceptions
I READ with interest your freewheeling cover feature on Barefoot College (EW August) as I had spent six months on the BC campus as a volunteer in 2021. While your coverage of Barefoot’s achievements in rural empowerment, water, solar power, education, environment, closely reflects intense media scrutiny of over five decades, I observed two inaccuracies.
According to your lead feature, the “sombre golden jubilee of BC passed almost unnoticed”. On the contrary, Barefoot’s golden jubilee was celebrated in style in Tilonia, Jaipur and Delhi, and transmitted live with thousands of ‘Barefooters’, as we call ourselves, around the world joining virtually.
Moreover according to you, BC is “largely unsung”. Again on the contrary, BC is perhaps the most celebrated Indian NGO on the global stage and grabbed media attention from get-go 50 years ago. From the Dalai Lama to Prince Charles, Barefoot College has hosted them all. Even Robert McNamara, World Bank chief paid a surprise visit to Tilonia in the 1980s. Which other Indian social entrepreneur has been named in TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of the Year or The Guardian’s Green Heroes list? Similarly, Bunker Roy was given high respect by prime ministers Indira and Rajiv Gandhi. The latter inducted him into the Planning Commission where he worked closely with Sam Pitroda.
I refrain from commenting on your comments relating to “institutional schism” as the matter is sub judice. But rest assured that Bunker Roy will win this round after having scored half a century batting for India’s forsaken villages.
Ann Remedios on EMAIL
My lament is that Barefoot College’s proven rural development model hasn’t been embraced by the establishment and middle class India — Editor
Excellent platform
IT WAS an absolute joy when we were informed that we have won the award for #1 Philanthropic School of West Bengal, and ranked among the Top 10 in India. We travelled to Gurugram for the EW India School Rankings Awards conclave and came away enriched by meeting the best school educators countrywide.
Congratulations to the EW team for awarding respect and recognition to all schools, poor and rich, and providing them a platform and interaction opportunity.
Sujata Sen
CEO, Future Hope KOLKATA
