The dreams of people living in the mining area are often left unfulfilled because of the lack of basic amenities. However, children from 12 villages of Tamnar block in Raigarh district are seeing their dreams for English Medium schooling come true because of a free school bus service provided by Hindalco Industries Limited.
It’s because of the free school bus service that Ansh Dubey of Milupara village can today think of becoming a doctor. The distance between his village and his school is 15 kilometers and the free school bus run by Hindalco Industries is helping him cover this distance. Ansh's father Yash Dubey said: “My son's dream of studying in a good English medium school has been fulfilled by this free bus service. This initiative is helping me save the transport costs which I can use for his education.”
Hindalco started the free school bus service in 2015 and today caters to 253 children from Banjikhol, Kondkel, Beljor, Milupara, Sakta, Madwadumar, Lalupar, Jaridih, Urba, Pelma, Hinjar and Semijor villages in Gare Palma mining area. Two school buses are operated under the initiative at an annual cost of Rs 26 lakh, which is borne by Hindalco CSR.
Among the 253 students, 50 are girls and this service is a saviour for them. Anju Rathia, a class 9 student from Beljor village said: “I did my education till class 8 from the village school but for further studies I had to go to a bigger school which is about 15 kilometers away from my village. Hindalco's bus service has thus helped me to continue my education.”
Vivek Mishra, Head of Hindalco Coal Vertical, said: “It is only through education that we can bring meaningful change in society. Keeping in mind the needs of the society we have started this free school bus service and I am happy it is benefitting local people.”