Akbar is the name of the greatest Emperor of India. Akbar Nagar is, however, a large slum in Lucknow, where poverty has a tight grip. The slum closets a beautiful life, though, among the torn tarpaulins, cracked walls, shabby shades, and drain-swelled pathways. Now, however, the place is a ramshackle, with the government's drive to demolish old slum dwellings and build those pinnacles, which presumably represent development.
"All that man is,
All mere complexities,
The fury and the mire of human veins."
I wait by the road in front of a demolished tea shop for Azeem, a boy I have known for some time. Recently, I have seen his sketches, which have created a furore among the Servitors of JanPragati. Azeem is an artist. As I stare at the rubbles and wonder at man's wretchedness, Azeem seeps out from among the cracks. The smile of this budding artist provides more than just hope.
"Miracle, bird or golden handiwork,
More miracle than bird or handiwork,
Planted on the starlit golden bough,"(1)
I took him to a quieter place where I could ask Azeem about his life. The coyness is what strikes me most. He sits upright, with corporeal uncomfortably twisted to face me as a token of respect. He's athletic and comely built. Decency called him to a brown shirt, while I feel a splash of colour would suit his coarse nativeness and youth. However, there is no compromise to the alignment of hair strands, as if a school of sardines were pursuing the northern course. A frequent smile with a tone of delight flits across his jaws for every jerk and quick movement of the agile young age.
Azeem, a resilient young man, hails from a remote village in Gonda, a neighbouring district of Lucknow. As a child, he studied Arabic and Koran. But an unfortunate incident of childish fray persuaded his father to bring Azeem to Akbar Nagar in Lucknow.
Azeem, despite his short temper, continued as a boarding student of Koran and Arabic until a sickness pulled him out of the coveted learning. During those days, his younger sisters were already attending Pragati Paathshala. 'Though not the best option for a boy', his father thought, "it is better than not learning at all!"
"The school was a delight… My first teacher was Prem Sir. He was so good and just like a friend. Sabu sir, I loved him dear. He was frank. Even during the lockdown, he would come just to teach us- even when all other schools were closed." Azeem beamed at this. In due course, many teachers came and went, which disappointed him.
"Ujjwal Sir was always with us… He is my favourite teacher. He was with us during all my troubles. I have learned much from him. I remember the time when I had to leave school. My parents said it was too long in school and I was old enough to earn. But Ujjwal Sir came home and convinced my parents that I needed to continue my studies. If he hadn't come, I would not have been able to attend school."
People don't see Pragati Paathshala as a fit for their children—after all, it is just a small school in the slum. Yet, Azeem stayed in this school for many years and has become a source of pride for his family and the community. Was it all worth it?
"JanPragati is the best school," the statement shook me awake. "Where will we get a better school? While every other school has so many children in the classroom, here we're just eight of us, and all of us attended well. Where else does that happen? Also, all other schools just want to complete their syllabus. Here, we are mentored in our studies."
I marvelled at the boy's understanding. I was keen to know what else he had learned. I was met with the unexpected. "I don't fight anymore. I rarely get angry…. The last time I fought with anyone should have been three years ago." He seems to have a better sense of life, which he attributes to the learning he received at Pragati Paathshala.
"I have learnt English, and I can now understand it." I was apprehensive, so I asked him if I could put him to the test. "Ask me anything…" He retorted in English. I asked about other things he had learned besides what the class had learned.
"I learned to sketch", he said gleefully, and I knew that he would love to showcase that. Azeem continued to speak in English, surprising me and unconsciously filling me with pride and accomplishment. Azeem learned sketching through YouTube Videos-English ones! He learns English by spending 30 minutes daily on YouTube just to learn English. "I loved sketching as a kid. But when the school conducted a competition, I took part in it. I saw I could do this…I am still growing."
I asked him the pressing question; "What will you do with your skill?"
"I want to be a businessman, and I will do 'sketching' as my side business," he told me.
Perhaps art has never given its creator the credit of affluence—Azeem knows that; how can we blame him? Yet I inquired if I would send him to a School for the Arts, would he be interested? He nodded yes. He admitted that he had not yet laid his hands on painting because of the present situation in the colony. But he's exploring painting.
Azeem is, however, passionate about another skill: COOKING! I keep wondering what this boy knows! Well, it's not the kitchen cooking he's referring to. He's talking about some serious stuff, which earns him Laxmi's blessing. As the season of India's fat and pompous weddings steals the time in people's busyness, Azeem finds himself in the cooking arena, slashing and whipping some chicken heads, marinating, and roasting Tikkas and Kebabs. He revealed some trade secrets, including the amusing fact of softening chicken before roasting. (Please meet me in person for further information) When he has his holidays, he goes to assist in cooking during weddings.
Azeem wants to complete his graduation and fulfil his career. But he's angry…
"Now, my career is at stake. The city authorities are destroying our house. Now, we must leave our home. My parents do not know where to go. Even my school is broken down."
He stares down at his hands, keeping me at a distance, hiding an emotion I fail to catch. It could be sorrow that tears his heart. He jerks and lifts his head, a glimmer in his eyes. "But my mind says it will all turn out good for us."
It took him some time to recover. I reminded him, "…in all things, God works for the good of those who love him…"
"My view of the world is very different from my family's," he continued. "They want me to work now and earn money as soon as possible. For me, there is more to earning money. My family stands with me in what I do. I want to improve myself as much as possible before I earn. I want to become good at something first. I truly believe that I can do it.
"I wondered if he was overconfident of his capabilities. Doubts rose in my heart as I thought of his hopes in this crumbling world. I am not sure if I see the world the same way he does. To Azeem, the world is full of opportunities. I saw a cruel world that oppresses the weak. Is this boy fit to be a businessman?I asked, "If you are a businessman, what will you be different from your father? I mean, what are some of the qualities of a businessman?"
"If you are a businessman, you need to have a broader business vision. You just don't keep to the simple things that you do," he answered.
"Do you think you can be a good businessman?" I asked.
Azeem smiled knowing the import of my statement. "I think I can be. I must be shrewder. I cannot be very innocent." He giggled, taunting me of my naiveté. There is a balance in his life. He's as innocent as a dove and as shrewd as a snake. This boy has seen something of this world. What is he seeing that I don't see?
Azeem continued, "To all children like me, growing up in slums, I want them to know that learning is worth the effort. It might take time, but persevere. You will find fruit."
To conclude his thoughts, he stated the underlying philosophy of his life.
"Fruitfulness takes time."
As we sat across from each other and discussed Azeem's future, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Despite my initial worries, it was clear that JanPragati had done an excellent job preparing him for what lay ahead. In fact, it dawned on me that the real goal we strive for with all of the children is to help them become good learners.
It's not always easy - we never know how long a child will be with us, and time is always of the essence. But we've learned that if we can teach them to learn by themselves, they will succeed no matter what challenges they may face in the future. And that's what we're here for - to provide them with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive, no matter where life takes them.
Written by Nithin E. Sam
(1) Byzantium by W.B. Yeats
Comments