Different Shades of Anuja

Anuja, all of 16, is the second out of 4 children of Mr. Attar Singh - the pradhan of Sanglai village. Sanglai is a small village with about 100 families, a few kilometers beyond Bhatwari in Uttarkashi. It has a Government high school and an ASHA worker. The nearest intermediate school (11th and 12th) is in Bhatwari, an hours walk on a rainy day, escaping landslides. Most kids end up taking a room on rent in Bhatwari during exams because they are not sure if the roads will be open or the rains and landslides will permit them to even walk. And then if you want to get higher education, that means leaving the village and going to Dehradoon or Haridwar. This not only means staying away from home but also lots of added expenses. Her routine includes waking up early, making chai and rotis for the family and guests. She would religiously wake us up at 6am and give us hot chai. Then make breakfast for all of us with her mother in the stuffy kitchen where we couldnt even stand for a minute without tears rolling down our eyes (not getting emotional yet, its just the smoke). Compare this to the life of a 16 year old living in a city like Bangalore or Delhi. Needless to say anything more. 

Anuja making chai and rotis for the family - note the smile!

Anuja carrying a heavy load of fodder for the livestock. I could not even lift that load. Notice the remarkable smile again which will make anyone smile with her!

Anuja, all dressed up to walk for hour to reach her school. The smile doesnt disappear!

Anuja, smiling as always, teaching us happiness doesnt cost much! Along with her sister Tanuja, volunteer Winnie and some of her neighbours. 

Anuja, with her family, who graciously hosted us in Sanglai

She is very much interested in studying further and getting a degree. The Pradhanji (Village head) says he wont be able to afford her studies even though he wants to. He also has 2 sons and another daughter in Class 9. The next best option is to get her married. Well her life changes very little with this. I promised to send her some books and I have sent some already. If any of you are interested in supporting her education and other girls like her in Uttarkashi please write to me at drdayaprasad99@gmail.com. 

There were many things to learn from her. Just like the disappearing sparrows from the cities, there are many games that have also become extinct. one such game that should be on the RED list of endangered species is this one which I have played as a kid, which Anuja and her sisters taught me all over again. 

The Game of Gitta - played with 5 stones.