"Education Can Unlock the Misery of the Underprivileged" - Meena Gupta

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1. Tell us more about yourself and your life.

I, Meena Gupta did B.Sc in genetics from Hyderabad and is married to Noida based business man and lived as a house wife with two children. I usually helped my husband in business while taking care of my family. After a long time I did a Diploma in Pharmacy in 2018. At the same time, I started working as a social worker by teaching and taking care of underprivileged children.

2. What led you into social activism?

I am very happy with my family life, I always wanted to do something for our society, specially for underprivileged children. Whenever I saw begging children on streets or red lights,etc I wanted always wanted to do something more which could lead them to a respectful life.

So with my friends' help I started teaching in slums of sector 18. In the beginning we went there to distribute food, cold drinks and clothes to win their trust. After sometime they started sending their children to us. 

At first,we took classes in slums but their we didn't have enough space to sit and take classes, although we tried under the tree for some time but felt so many distractions like wandering of people, cows, buffaloes,etc. Later we started to take classes in sec-19 Mother Dairy Park. A few volunteers helped us like Anushree Jain, Manavi, Rita.

3. What is that one cause you care deeply about and why?

Education is the only key through which we can unlock the misery of underprivileged because they are not aware of family planning, hygiene. They are not educated so are not able to take care of their children, their health,etc. So as I had read in many books if we could make one person read and write, the entire family will progress. Thus keeping this in mind I always worked towards education.

4. If one wants to contribute and make a difference in social causes, how can one do it?

I always say to our volunteers and supporters to donate some of their time to teach these underprivileged children and enjoy the bliss of their smiling faces as well as the satisfaction of sharing your time with them. 

I am also looking for teachers who can come regularly to teach them. We will pay them. Our supporters can donate money, stationary items, sports items, can take special classes in special areas like arts, skill development, stories, etc. These children are deprived of everything so something is better than nothing.

5. Who is your role model and why?

Actually I always wanted a perfect life as I used to read a lot of ideal books in my childhood like Kathasagar, Nandan, King Vikramaditya, etc. So I always looked for honest, sincere and hardworking people . Some are Deepa Soni, Ekta, Shalini, Radha, Rajani Jain who are always there for my support towards this Vartantu Foundation NGO.

6. What are some of challenges and roadblocks you have faced along your journey?

Yes, many roadblocks, many hurdles, from my own home to the society itself. My family did not want me to go to slums and when we shifted to the park, the RWA people didn't wanted these children to come to their park. They appreciate my work but still don't like them. 

Till today we face the same situation, people do appreciate this kind of work but at the same time they always want to show authority and prohibit their entry. I still have to remind them that the park doesn't belong to them, it's government property.

In my society, many houses are vacant. I asked many people to give them to me on rent for teaching these children but I didn't get one. Sometimes I feel helpless but the one thing that keeps me going is trust of these children, their smiles when they see me and I don't want to break that.

7. Your opinion about social activism."

Actually how our society works is easy going. It means everyone of us wants to help underprivileged people but when it comes to really doing something, they don't have time. But I simply request everyone if each one of us takes responsibility of one such child then their will be no illiteracy. Just one hour, at least once a week can be the key to a progress in their lifestyle.

                                                Meena Gupta 
                                           Vartantu Foundation

Interview By - Anushree Jain