Deep Narayan Nayak - Raastar Master, a Unique Educator

A mentor, a social worker but above all a revered educator for under privileged children - Deep Narayan Nayak is a respectable name in Bardhman district of West Bengal. He has put forward a 3G learning model in education also known as Raastar Master (Teacher of the street) which has got iconic success in the field of primary education. 

Deep Narayan Nayak - Another name of excellence in education

36 years old Deep Narayan Nayak is a primary school teacher at Tilak Majhi Adivasi free School at Jaba village of Jamudia in Bardhman district of West Bengal. Deep Narayan himself comes from a humble background where he faced several adversities in getting formal education where he lacked a proper uniform, books and copies. Even when he got old books to read and study, he used them joyously and got educated due to his dedication for education. As he himself has gone through tough phase in his life, he decided to pave the path of education for the less fortunate and under privileged ones.

Raastar Master- A Novel Journey

Deep Narayan recalls that he started his journey in 2010 when he saw several Adivasi,Muslim and backward tribal community children leaving the school and education. There were many reasons behind it which included financial problems,poverty, lack of awareness and losing their parents. With an impersonal motive, he started operation blackboard inclusive model in 2014. He painted the outer mud walls of houses along the streets in the villages and converted them into blackboards. Due to this novel idea and efforts to educate these poor children ,he popularly came to be known as Raastar Master.

Raastar Master- A Wholesome Learning Model

During 2020, when Covid 19 broke down, it became a golden opportunity for Deep Narayan to implement this model even more intensively. He started teaching maths and Science on village streets and very soon it became popular. However Deep Narayan has a greater intention then merely teaching children. He aimed at creating a 24 hours learning cycle along with teaching their guardians by these children only. First of all the children, those who have not got any formal education earlier are provided basic education through this street model. These children then educate their parents and grandparents at home so that three generations are simultaneously getting education by this model. Deep Narayan deeply believe that this model can educate a village in less than 5 years which may otherwise take 50 years to do so.

Inculcating Scientific Attitude

With technology opening new horizons everyday, it becomes essential to get updated with it. With this belief, Deep Narayan tries his best to use technology in his lectures by using laptop, phones, projectors and even microscope daily in his classroom. The most important part of this learning model is that he records his lectures with children daily and shows these recorded lectures to their parents through a projector which gives them a great sense of satisfaction. He is also aiming at reducing school drop out rate and promoting adult literacy rate.

A True Altruist

Deep Narayan is more than a teacher ,rather he is a leader and serving the community by going beyond his role. During Covid 19 ,he took the responsibility of vaccination of elderly and pregnant women in the village.He often promotes girl education more than that of the boys to reduce gender inequality in rural areas in his classes. He also designed a mobile library on cycle containing books on various subjects like science ,Ayurved ,fiction and many more to promote reading among children.

Following the Heart's Calling

At present there are about 50 centres in West Bengal and 5 centres in Jharkhand which are running under the model of this teaching. In these centres, children of age 4 to 18 years are getting educated in five languages namely Hindi,  English ,Bangla ,Urdu and Olichiki with 50 teachers and 100 assistant teachers working with him. 

Deepnarayan got awarded with Global teacher award by AkS in 2022, best teacher award by Institute Of Scholars in 2020 and his school got Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar award in 2021 by Ministry of Education, Government of India. Clicked by photographer Saurav Das, one picture of his project Rastaar master got UNICEF photo of the Year 2021 and first position in prestigious Global peace photo award. An innovator, a true leader ,a community worker and an extraordinary educator ,Deep Narayan Nayak is a name which will be sung across generations for his unique work!

 Ashok Chakradhari - an Artisan from Chhattisgarh, the creator of Magic Lamp

Just forget Aladdin's magical lamp ! Ashok Chakradhari ,a Potter from Kondagaon district of Chhattisgarh has made a magical lamp which can light up continuously up to 24 hours. Ashok has paved a new path for all the porters and artisans by designing this creative lamp and increased the prestige of clay art. 

A Childhood filled with Struggle

Ashok lives in kumharpara area of kondagaon district of Chhattisgarh. He belongs to a potter family and his father was also involved in making clay materials and equipments. He was hardly able to study up to class 4th and eventually he got involved in clay art with his father which was his ancestral work also. He was visiting villages and was installing clay tiles at the roofs of houses. This became his ultimate profession. Since then Ashok has been practicing pottery for about 40 years. One decade ago, Ashok's parents passed away and he has to took the responsibility of the whole family.

The Problems Faced

" After the arrival of equipments made up of Steel, plastic and plaster of Paris ,people have become least interested in purchasing clay items. " says Ashok."Even if the people buy these items, they don't pay full money for these items. Apart from this, the business of clay items is also affected by whether changes ,less durability and water scarcity. Many of my fellow potters have left this work and advised me also to do so however I was continuously searching possibilities in that work." he continues. 35 years before, in an exhibition organised in Bhopal ,I met an artisan from Sarguja who had done many innovative experiments with clay. Seeing this I was also searching for limitless opportunities in clay modelling from there only. " says Ashok. Ashok started working over the concept of Magical lamp and after 1 year of continuous labour he was able to design the magical lamp. Formerly Ashok has seen the idea of a similar lamp in YouTube. After failing 3 times, he finally designed the lamp in his 4th attempt. 

What is this Magic lamp? 

This magical lamp is divided into two parts. The lower part has been given a circular base in which the wick is placed. The upper circular part is looking like a tea cattle in which oil is filled. To pour oil from it ,it is connected to the lower part through a clay pipe. The upper chamber is filled with oil and is covered upside down over the lower part by fitting it in a mould. The lamp is designed in such a way that the stream of oil starts automatically towards the lower chamber when oil is less in it. This magical lamp become a boon for Ashok. As he uploaded the photo and video of the lamp on Facebook, he became a celebrity overnight and started getting orders for lamp from all over the country. With increasing demand he has increased their production by hiring 10 more fellow potters including the widows.

From Innovation to Recognition 

Ashok has made this lamp available at E-Commerce platforms also like Amazon. The core purpose of Ashok in designing this lamp is not only to earn money but also to rejuvenate this old age art form and tradition. Ashok is a master trainer at Jheetko Meetki Art Centre, Kondagaon where he is training other artisans also. He has also been felicitated with a merit certificate for his unique work by Ministry of handloom. Apart from this Magic Lamp, he make a lot of other clay products which have a good demand in the market. An NGO and Forest Department have provided him with a mechanised kiln and necessary equipments to ease his business. 

One day, Ashok wishes to upload his Art on YouTube also. He is really a noble potter with shear love for soil and the associated art. " we have originated from earth and one day we will perish into it. " what a spirit, salute to him and his spirit!

For business enquiry, you can contact Ashok on 91-9165185483

 Nageshu Patro - A Coolie at Night, a Teacher in Daytime, a story of a Philanthropist

Ch Nageshu Patro, a 31 year porter has been a face of change for 70 children of Ganjam district of Odisha who are deprived of better education and guidance due to financial difficulties,by providing them free coaching. Due to his altruism and the philanthropic efforts for these children, he has become quite popular.

Nageshu's Story

Nageshu belongs to a cattle grazer family whose income mostly came from grazing goats and sheep. He got his elementary education with difficulties however he was unable to give his high school exams in 2006 due to financial difficulties as his parents were unable to pay his fees. In order to have some income, he shifted to Surat in search of work where he worked in a textile plant for two years . He also worked as a salesman in a mall in Hyderabad but finally he returned to home. Meanwhile he passed his class 10th exam through the money which he earned through his job. He passed his higher secondary exam with correspondence and completed his graduation and post graduation from Berhampur University.

Shaping of A Philanthropist

In 2011, Nagesh's brother informed him about a vacancy for porter in Indian Railways. He cleared all physical and medical tests and got the job. However he was having a strong quest for knowledge and he continued reading and writing at the same time. 

Shaping of a philanthropist

During covid-19, Nageshu's job was adversly affected as the trains were not running in that period. He noticed that many students left their studies during that period in his neighbourhood due to financial difficulties and lack of proper coaching and guidance. Nageshu not at all wanted these children to leave their studies as he himself was a victim of financial difficulties at one time. Suddenly the idea of a free coaching sparked in his mind.

Free Coaching

He started teaching with only 3 children in his neighbourhood. Gradually other students also started joining the coaching and finally at present, there are 70 students studying in Nageshu's coaching. Initially he took a room at rent when started teaching Hindi and Odia and hired teachers for other subjects. To manage the expenses, he is working as a guest lecturer in a private college . He is imparting education to students in his coaching centre up to class 12th.

The Motive Behind

Nageshu is spending most of his salary to pay to the coaching teachers which he is getting by working as a coolie. He is facing a lot of difficulties in teaching these children. He frequently overlook his own needs and inspite of all the difficulties, he is dedicated to give a better future to them. Hats off to the men who is so dedicated towards education of underprivileged children. Let's join hands for such a philanthropist and help him out.