Afsana Parveen with the kids Deepak Singh/Iamin
Afsana Parveen, who has been running 'Pehchaan - The street school' from under a bridge in Ghansoli for slum children, is heart-broken after coming to know that the school she built with love will be razed down by the civic encroachment department on January 15th.
The encroachment department, under Swachha Bharat Abhiyaan, has been carrying out demolition of illegal structures in the city and has already razed the slum under the Ghansoli bridge. The slum under Ghansoli bridge was more than 15 year old.
The demolition team however did not demolish 'Pehchaan' that day and gave an extension till January 15 to vacate the belongings before they raze it down.
Talking with Iamin, Afsana Parveen said, "There were around 30 families living under the bridge for more than 15 years and all the structures have been removed by the civic body. I do not blame them as they are only doing their job. I had started this school around September 2014, with an intention to provide free education to the slum kids. I am very sad to know that the structure that I built with love and compassion is going to be demolished."
Read the original story on Pehchaan here
When Iamin spoke with the assistant commissioner of encroachment department, Kailash Gaikwad, he said, "It is very sad to know that we have to raze down the school but we do not have any other option. There are orders from high court to remove illegal encroachments before January 26. I would suggest Afsana to take up a flat nearby on rent and continue with her school."
Reacting to this, Afsana pointed out the difficulty she is facing to get another accommodation. "My original plan was to get a flat on rent but nobody wanted to give their property to teach slum children. I would be very thankful if someone would agree to give me a flat on rent, somewhere nearby and preferably an open place so that people volunteer for teaching the kids."
If you are interested to help Afsana, please contact her at 9594036244
