They risk their lives just to go to school
Students of Ambeghavan have to risk their lives daily to get to school by using a cable bridge to cross the Mandvi river
Crossing the street to catch the school bus is perhaps the riskiest part of going to school for most students. But the school children from Ambeghavan village of Junnar district literally have to risk their lives, as they cross the Mandvi river using a cable bridge every day, to and from school. The hazardous cable bridge though is a lifeline for the residents, who use the bridge every day to visit the hospital, school or market.
There are many such villages in Pune district, where students have to use hazardous means to cross rivers, when there is no proper
bridge. Incessant rains in some parts of Pune district have caused rivers to overflow their banks, and using makeshift bridges is always a hazardous or even life-threatening prospect.
Ambeghavan village, 110 km from Pune, is among the worst hit. More than 500 residents and their children from Dhaushi, Mordara, Bhutambare, Kawte, Pawdewasti and Takate villages use the ropeway bridge to cross Mandvi river to reach Ambeghavan, which also connects to Otur. Currently, the cable bridge is submerged under water, and the residents of the villages are unable to cross from either side.
Shri Gajanan Maharaj Prasarak Mandal’s Shardabai Pawar Madhyamik Vidyalay (SPMV), was built in the memory of late Vilas Tambe, in the year 1994. There is a Zilla Parishad school next door to this school, which is more than seven decades old. SPMV has
classes from Kindergarten to Standard X, while the Zilla Parishad is a primary school. There are around 80 students who have to cross the river to attend SPMV school, and a dozen students of Zilla Parishad School.
The village residents have built a cable bridge at a height of 25 feet on the Mandvi river, which is 220 feet wide and 15 to 20 feet
deep. Tied to the rope is a wooden swing which can be used by two adults or four children at a time. Those crossing from the Dhaushi side sit on the swing, which is pulled by residents from the Ambeghavan village side. The same process is repeated after school. The water level in the river is always high as water is released from the Chilewadi dam. The locals have petitioned their representatives many times, but to no avail. The villagers have to use this bridge to go to the only market in Otur.
Some farmers even use this swing to carry their produce to market. SPMV School Principal Manik Borhade said, “This situation has affected the students adversely. Poor attendance yields poor results at the end of the school year. Students who fail in exams, especially boys, drop out early. For the last three days the situation has been even more grim and students have remained absent as the water levels have risen. During heavy monsoon rains, the access to the village is blocked and school staff also has problems in commuting.
The government should provide a solution to this problem as soon as possible. There are more than 15 children between six and ten years of age who use this swing to come to school.” “Almost every day we hear of children getting injured while crossing the river. We do not have the heart to educate our children at the cost of their lives,” said Sujata Fatesingh, a school teacher.
The tehsil is a perfect picture of the apathy that prevails in the remote regions of the district. It is blessed with natural wealth,
but owing to the state government’s apathy, it lacks the most basic of amenities. Residents of the villages struggle to survive in this tough topography, in the absence of roads, electricity, healthcare, education and employment. They have to make the most of what they have. There are 200 families who risk their lives every day while crossing the river.
Talati of Ambeghavan Rahul Shinde told TGS, “I have sent a detailed report of the grim situation to the tehsildar’s office. The tehsildar of the area Asha Holkar will visit the village within two days and look into the situation. A permanent solution will be provided to the problem at the earliest. However, students and the residents have faced this problem from more than a couple of decades, and the officials have not come up with a concrete solution. Some students fallen in the river were rescued by villagers.”
Social worker Raju Gaykar said, “The government seems to be unconcerned about the students who risk their lives daily. The
government should provide a concrete solution to the problem. The problem has become worse recently and residents and students are unable to cross the river.” Resident Narayan Kalekar said, “Boys and girls from Mordara and Dhaushi have to cross
the river from points where there are no bridges to reach the schools in Ambeghavan. With heavy rains, the water level crosses the danger mark, making the crossing even more difficult. The students have no option but to remain absent from school.”
vicky.pathare@goldensparrow. com
Originally published on The Golden Sparrow
