The Game Changer...........

The hall is packed with eminent persons and thousands of other people. This is one of the biggest days in the history of the country. Many people will be felicitated for their achievements and Raghu is sitting in the front row to be felicitated. He will be given the best award of ‘’The Game Changer’’ for his remarkable contribution to making his village 100 per cent literate village.

Raghu is at mid of his life being around 35 years of age. He is a tribal from Chhattisgarh. He is very simple and probably doesn’t know exactly the reasons for which he is sitting there. But he knows that his village will be playing a very important role in the development of the country and he had come there to represent his village. Raghu is from Sukuma village and born to poor parents who had passed away when he was only 5 years old. As his village is full of tribal people and it’s having a population of total around 150 families and 800 people. All the villagers used to live on forest products and traditional farming. The village is far from the urban areas and been neglected due to communication problems. There was no school. No hospital and no government support for the development of the village and villagers. As a child, Raghu too was going to the forest along with other boys to collect the fruits and ayurvedic roots to sell in the nearby market, which is around 15 kilometres from their village. He was always supported by the elders of his community and he learned how to be self-dependent from his childhood. Raghu was very intelligent from his childhood and daring too. He used to watch the functions of their community with traditional songs and dance. Sometimes, when he was 9 years old used to sing in the function of his own compositions, which were neither been written nor recorded anywhere as no one in the village had an education. He used to memorize it and all those were given shape to his thoughts. Everyone started licking his songs as every time all were different and new. Then the chief of their community had given the assignment of composing a song and singing it in the function to Raghu. All used to like him for his unusual natural talent. When Raghu used to go along with villagers to town to sell the collections, he used to sit in a corner and sing his song, which attracts the buyers. This had helped him to sell his collections and he helps others to sell theirs with different songs. Raghu became famous and the buyers even love to sit and listen to Raghu’s song. Some of them even love to record his song. It was melodious and meaningful.

Time passed Raghu had grown by age and turned into a very handsome young man. When he was 21 years the village chief made his daughter Lalita marry Raghu. Lalita was too a great dancer. She loves to dance to the rhythm of Raghu’s song. Both of them used to go to town with others and sell their collections and purchase their daily needs. Once Raghu asked one of his buyers, who was recording his song and Lalita’s dance about the video recording and its operation. He also contacted the shopkeeper of the town enquired about its cost. Then he started saving some money and after 3 years was able to purchase the video recorder and screen. He was very happy. He had purchased the battery to operate that as there was no electricity in the village. The next function of their community was recorded by Raghu’s friend and the same was screened by Raghu to villagers in one evening. Everybody was happy and praised Raghu. The respect for Raghu touched the new height. Raghu was thinking about how to make the other young children like him. He started teaching and guiding them how to sing. Once in the town, Raghu came in contact with his regular buyer Mohan Kumar, who is an Ayurveda practitioner. Mohan likes Raghu and always have a special respect for him. Mohan Kumar also was a social worker. He used to fight for different causes of socially and economically backward people. Raghu discussed his new experiment of videography with Mohan Kumar. Then Mohan just asked Raghu,’’ why can’t you start educating the children along with your teaching of singing?’’ Raghu thought for a moment and asked,’’ How can I do this? I don’t have any education and none of our people too. There is no school, how will it be possible?’’ Mohan looked at him and said,’’ it will be possible. I will help you, but you have to discuss with your people and let me know.’’ Raghu was delighted and assured Mohan to let him know next week. Then he returned to the village and discussed this with the village chief in the same night. The next day the Chief called for a meeting and informed all villagers regarding the proposal of Raghu, with some discussions lastly the consent was taken. The Chief too had asked all to create a fund for this with a contribution to meet with any expenses, this was Raghu’s idea. Then all villagers agreed to this and they assured to give their contribution to Chief. Raghu was very excited and waiting for meeting Mohan Kumar.

Next week Raghu met Mohan and informed them about the consent of villagers. Then Mohan took him to his vehicle and gave him a box full of around 50 slates and some boxes of chalks. He taught Raghu a display of how to write on slate. Then he gave a video to Raghu, where a teacher is teaching A B C D…with examples. Mohan asked Raghu if he will be allowed then he can come with a board to this place tomorrow morning and will go to their village along with Raghu to start the education. Raghu was very happy and touched the feet of Mohan Kumar. He welcomed Mohan’s idea. As planned the next day Mohan Kumar came with blackboard and accompanied Raghu and his friend to their village. As they reached the village Mohan saw the arrangement was done in the field, where their community functions used to take place. All villagers gathered there. Then with the permission of the Chief, Mohan said,’’ Today I will start teaching 50 children as I was able to get that many slates. If more will be required then I will see and try to arrange for that. After I go, then Raghu will play the video for the remaining days and all have to write on the slate. I will come once in a week.’’ All had agreed. Some children came forward, along with them Raghu, Lalita, the Chief and Raghu’s friend too came. Mohan was very excited and happy. Mohan started writing the letters and pronouncing each one. He was there for two hours and he asked Raghu to do the practice every day by watching the video. Then Mohan Kumar left the place.

 This was continuing for one year. The chief had purchased more no’s of slates, chalks and the learning books with the fund raised through contribution. Now around 60 per cent of villagers learned to read and write. This education system continued. One more set of video machine, screen and battery was purchased. Also, more slates, books and blackboard were purchased. Along with Mohan Raghu too started teaching. By one more year, the entire villagers learned how to read and write. Raghu along with Mohan Kumar met the government authorities and discussed the supply of electric supply and the opening of the school. The authorities asked Raghu to give the application with the signature of all villagers for the same. The BDO was under impression that the application will not come. But to his surprise next week Raghu and Mohan came with an application with signatures and also some villagers along with the Chief had come. This was too been reported by all the newspapers. The reporters took the interview of Raghu and were published in a leading newspaper. This had become the greatest news of the year. The government was forced to start electrification and the foundation of the new school was given. The school construction work too started.

All these were been possible only for the efforts and interest of Raghu. That’s the reason Raghu was selected by the PM for the award of ‘’The Game Changer’’.

The name of Raghu was announced and he was going to the stage, the entire hall was full of clapping as the host was describing Raghu’s contribution. Raghu reached the stage and paid his respect to all and said,’’ I don’t know what The Game Changer is? But I know that now our village and we will definitely contribute towards the development of our country. We will be like you all BABU.’’

All gave a standing ovation to Raghu. Lalita was watching it with tears of happiness.