Nandlal Master belongs to Rajatalab a village in Varanasi, he often used to get sad when would see young children sacrificing their studies for the sake of work and livelihood, young girls getting married at such an early age, small children not going to school at all. This all used to disappoint him so much that one day he decided to open up a school for small children of his locality. In 1994 he opened up a school with a handful student and today the picture is entirely changed and widened. Today around 500 students have been engaged in his education program of nearby districts. Poor kids who were unable to study and were forced to work are now wonderfully receiving education in his school. Nandlal has created a new scenario in his village it’s all his sheer determination and conviction due to which a young boy who had been a labourer 10 years ago is now doing a government job, another labourer kids have attainted Masters Degree and the girls who were forcibly set to marriage at a tender age are now learning life skills. But the conviction of Nandlal to bring a change in the conditions of children does not stops here he not only wanted to abolish child labour but also wanted to empower women and educate them for their better future. Having this thought in mind he got connected with NGO Loksamiti and also started a personal training centre where girls could learn various life skills like stitching. Apart from this he also wanted to address an issue of the society related to the Indian weddings. He says that the Indians spend so much of money on weddings those who can afford they do it but those who cannot afford how would they do it. So, he took an initiative of Group Marriages in order to reduce the burden of marriages on the less privileged communities and to put an end to child marriage also. “I observed that people get their daughters married at an early age because they can’t afford to educate them and then find a suitable match for them, as ‘eligible’ guys demanded more dowries,” says Nandlal. So far Nandlal and his team of helpers of 25 members and over 400 volunteers have been able to conduct over 700 low-budgets marriages. He thinks that the richer communities should become a part of these group marriages by assisting and helping the poor people. He is also trying to promote inter-caste marriages and also looks forward to break through the old traditions of caste and dowry. Really commendable!! Keep moving Nandlal...
