Mohammad Manan Ansari was rescued from mica mines in Koderma, Jharkhand by the team of Bachpan Bachao Andolan when he was eight. He is now an 18-year-old Delhi University student preparing for his pre-medical entrance exams. He chatted with Divya Kaushik and shared how a year's training programme at Bal Ashram near Jaipur, soon after his rescue, gave direction to his life
This small office in Kalkaji has never been a dull space. But since last three days it has become an important landmark in the congested lane. People hurriedly walked in and out of the narrow passage and cameramen jostled to make their way to the front to make sure that they have the best shot of bhaisahabji (as Kailash Satyarthi is fondly addressed). Since Satyarthi won the Nobel Prize, Bachpan Bachao Andolan’s (BBA) office has been flooded with people and good wishes have been pouring in. The employees in office have been putting in extra hours to ensure that smooth operations among this hustle-bustle. A lot of running in and around the office was being done by this 18-year-old, who was visibly excited and whenever bhaisahabji gave interviews he tried listening to it attentively. He is Mohammad Manan Ansari who has known Satyarthi since he was eight, when he was rescued from the mica mines in his village Koderma, Jharkhand.
“Our village is surrounded by forests and is known for largest deposits of mica in the world. Over 10 years ago, there were hardly any facilities for villagers. There was a school till class five but that too was in a pathetic situation. Moreover, no one went to school since parents thought that as grown ups their children will have to work in mica mines, since that was the only option to earn money. When I was six, my parents, too, took me to the mines to work and for over two years I worked there. When I was eight, I was rescued along with other children by the BBA team,” Ansari began to share his story. His parents were not willing to send him with the BBA team initially as this was unbelievable to them. “They thought why would someone take me away and provide me with education, food and other facilities for free. They were apprehensive. We are two sisters and two brothers in the family. I am the elder son, so sending me away was not easy for them,” said Ansari. But after some convincing they agreed and he was brought to Bal Ashram in Viratnagar, Jaipur. “In the initial days it was very tough for me as I had never seen a world outside my village. I used to cry but then the BBA team at the Bal Ashram helped me make friends. I heard stories from others who were there and some were worse than mine. I met Rakesh who was from Bihar and was kidnapped by his school teacher, who was a thekedaar. He lured him with a sweet and kept him as a bonded labourer and used to add drugs to his tea to make him work for longer hours. He was beaten up often and his entire body had marks of bruises and cuts. But after being at Bal Ashram, he continued his studies and even went to Sweden for World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child (WCPRC) Awards. Once you are at Bal Ashram, the team engages you in so many activities like singing, paintings, dancing and drama, besides studies, that it doesn’t take more than a week to get used to the schedule. Bhaisahabji visited us every week or every 15 days and spoke to us, told us stories and also played games sometimes,” shared Ansari. BBA’s Bal Ashram is the place where most rescued children are kept and trained in a year-long course. It is a holistic method of training with special teachers and some seniors training the children. The day begins at six in the morning with prayer and it is packed with activities. “There are classes on different subjects and students who need extra attention are given special classes. The education is so good that after spending one-year in Bal Ashram students take admission in class four or five and even come first. I took an admission in class four and came first, too. After the completion of my one year at Bal Ashram, my parents wanted to take me back but I insisted on further education,” he beamed and informed that he has participated in many inter-school competitions. “I even went to Don Bosco and won third prize in singing competition and first prize in speech,” he added.
Ansari completed his school last year from Rajasthan Board with 74 per cent marks. He is now studying in Delhi University and is also preparing for his medical entrance exams. “I visit my parents during my holidays and after seeing me happy, they are convinced that education can do a lot of good to you. Now my sister and elder brother are also studying. I want to be a doctor and open a hospital in my village,” he said.
The 18-year-old, who can speak English and is well-adapted to living in a city on his own, often participates in special programmes run by BBA. “One has to practice the lessons and values one learns while being at BBA to bring a change. I participate from time to time in campaign programmes. I went with the team to various villages of Rajasthan, telling people about child rights. I participated in street dramas during the election campaigns to inform people how important it is to vote,” he said. Ansari makes sure that he speaks against child labour wherever he thinks it is needed. “I do not eat or even have tea at places where I see children at work. It is one way we all can stop child labour,” he said.