Rancho's school back to life

Sapan Kapoor
Leh, Aug 29 (PTI) A year after it was hit by flash
floods, Druk Padma School, popular as Rancho's school after
Aamir Khan's character in 3 Idiots, has come back to life.
The flash floods and mudslides had devastated a wide
swath around Leh and caused huge loss to the school, 15 km
from Leh and located in Shey, the ancient capital of Ladakh.
But after support from different parts of the country and
the world, the school is back in action and now is home to
about 270 children, 67 of whom are from the flood-affected
areas.
"This school is meant to educate the deprived children
of this region. We also provide hostel facilities for
students. Besides, the school organises free medical camps for
the people of Ladakh," said Prasad Eledath, the school
Principal.
"It is our endeavour to provide world class education to
the kids. The students here study Bothi (the local language),
English, and Hindi as well as science, creative arts, and
sports," he said.
Besides, the students also learn skills, including team
work, presentation skills through formal and co-curricular
activities, he said, adding that by next year he would like to
upgrade the school to Class X.
"Inspired by the vision of His Holiness the 12th
Gyalwang Drukpa, spiritual leader of Ladakh, the school aims
to provide modern education for Ladakhi children -- an
education grounded in their own culture and which could
prepare them to lead happy and productive lives," Prasad said.Hostel facilities allow children from Ladakh's interior
areas to attend the school and a programme of sponsorship
makes sure the poorest are not excluded. It is managed by the
Druk Pema Karpo Educational Society and funded by
international aid.
Prasad said the students were particularly upset after
the visitor's diary in which Aamir Khan had written about the
school was washed away during the flash floods.
"What a wonderful school. The kids seem very happy, and
such a great location. Keep up the good work. Regards, Aamir."
wrote the actor on September 15, 2008.
Prasad, who had done Masters' of Education from
University of Sussex in UK, had turned down lucrative job
offers to do something for the people of Ladakh.
"It is not a sacrifice. It's more about this being a
challenging task. I could have easily worked in Mumbai or
Delhi and earned good money but the work wouldn't have been
that much challenging there...And of course who wouldn't want
to work in a beautiful place like Leh," he said.
Carrie Lee, President of 'Live to Love', a US based NGO,
said it had become important for the international community
to extend a helping hand to the people of Ladakh especially in
the aftermath of the devastating flash floods.
"This region is located in a sensitive part of the world
and borders China and Pakistan. The conditions are difficult
and the region was devastated due to flash floods last year...
We could not remain mute spectators to their miseries," Lee
said.
Lee said the Indian Army had been more than helpful in
their rehabilitation work.
She said the NGO seeks to set up medical clinics in the
interior areas of Jammu and Kashmir and provide employment to
the youth of the state.
"There's so much talent in the state but it is not being
utilised properly. We intend to do that and hope the state
government would extends its cooperation to us," Lee said,
adding their love for India and the beauty of the state had
forced them to work for the people of Ladakh.