[04/04, 11:09] Pankaj Kumar: Last year for the first time I met this boy during one of my long walk. He was walking with the herd of his sheeps. I got curious considering his age. I got curious and started speaking to him...
[04/04, 14:45] Pankaj Kumar: It was learnt that he is from one of the remotest village of Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh Kwar. Kwar is the twin village of Dodra these two villages remains cut off from the road connectivity for around 04 months every year owing to the closure of Rohru Dodra Kwar road passing through Chanshal Pass which is loccates at an altitude of around 3500 mtrs MSL.
[04/04, 14:47] Pankaj Kumar: Now these villages have the tradition of crossing over to Uttarakhand side taking a long trek of around 12 to 15 kms to reach the nearest roadhead of Uttarakhand a place named Dhaula. From Dhaula they get the vehicle to Naitwar market and from here they catch vehicles to move around to the places they wish to go....
[04/04, 14:50] Pankaj Kumar: Since most of the residents of these two villages are sheep herders so in order to save their livestock they cross over to Uttarakhand side and remain here for winter months. These villages have matrimonial relations in each other village rherefore few have purchased some land here at Mori, Uttarakhand side and stay here during winter months alongwith their livestock...
[04/04, 14:53] Pankaj Kumar: This boy also stay here with his Maternal Grandfather to look after these sheeps. He is happily looking after his sheeps aa during these months most of the schools in Himachal Pradesh remains closed for winter break.
[04/04, 16:03] Pankaj Kumar: At times I wonder if we are able to provide such kids the right kind of education who are actually matured beyond the years of their age. Given the opportunity this boy if continue to follow his passion of a shepherd he could be a successful businessman in future. However the right kind of education and training can further expand his traditional work. At present most of the livestoyis reared just for the purpose of meat only. Earlier the hairs are used for making handwoven warm cloth for traditional dresses. Now these hairs are all go waste. In case we could think of better use of these then these shepherds may have the extra income too. Likewise if the milk too could be used for medicinal purposes which is really an expensive commodity during various ailments...
Now if we bring this shepherd boy to normal school what are we going to teach him ? Our education do not have anything which he could use after growing up. At best we can prepare these kids for various Jobs that too if they are lucky to get and this education too keep them away from their traditional businesses that is why now a days we are loosing the traditional handicrafts and various sources of rural livelihoods.
Therefore there has to be a different approach to deal with such kinds of numerous other kids who are happy in their lives....
