Vidya Bharati alumni Shivam Shankhdhar bringing social changes in Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh

Homelessness is a major problem in India with unequal wealth distribution as a dominant contributor. Approximately four million people in India are homeless in spite of the Supreme Court’ instruction (2012)  that one homeless shelter for every 100,000 people should be built in every Indian city.

2013’s Shelters for the Urban Homeless initiative has reached 790 cities to provide basic amenities, legal aid and medical attention to the homeless. However, implementation issues and failure of authorities to spend funds have hampered its effect – to the extent that, in November 2017, it was reported that ninety percent of homeless people in India do not have access to sheltered accommodation. 

Shivam Shankhdhar, an alumnus of Saraswati Shishu / Vidya Mandir, Bisauli, Uttar Pradesh has been working on providing shelter to homeless people in Badaun district for several years. Recently he shared his social work experiences via an interview, the extract of which has been given below.
 

Interviewer : Please tell us something about your academic and professional background.

Shivam Shankhdhar :  I have studied in Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Bisauli till class 5th, and in Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Bisauli from 6th to 10th.  I did my 11th and 12th from Madan Lal Inter College, Bisauli and did my Civil Engineering  degree from Shri Venkateshwara University, Gajraula. Presently I am working as Govt. Authorised Planner and Contractor.
 

Interviewer :  What kind of social work are you associated with?

Shivam Shankhdhar :  From my school days I have been taught the importance of social work and serving those in need. As I grew up, I noticed the problem of homelessness in Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh and the sense of apathy from the concerned authority proved to be a hurdle towards providing an appropriate solution. It became clear to me that if I wanted to change the situation, I have to do so on my own. Thus for the past few years I have been making arrangements for providing shelter to the homeless in the area.

Furthermore, a similar condition prevailed in the local Governmental hospitals as well. Several poor patients faced harassment at the hands of hospital authorities. There were often delays in treatment and  shortfall of required medication. Realising the problem I felt that there was a need to take strong action regarding the situation. Fortunately making a formal complaint to the right authorities proved fruitful and the situation has improved drastically in the local hospital.

I have also participated in several student rallys targeted towards solutions to various education related problems and awareness programs in rural areas regarding  government schemes.

I have recently collaborated with Mr. Rahul Sharma, who is an advocate and plan to start providing free legal advice to poor and uneducated people of the Bisauli area from April.

Interviewer :  Would you like to share any message with the Vidya Bharati students?

Shivam Shankhdhar :  I was inspired to serve the needy from the lessons given to me as a child in school, so I would like to remind all Vidya Bharati students, that they are very fortunate to be receiving education from Vidya Bharati and urge them to remember the lessons taught to the at school. Also when opportunity comes they should never back down from helping those who are in need.

I would like to end this interview by thanking Vidya Bharati for inspiring me and molding me into the person that I am today. 

Vidya Bharati Purv Chatra Parishad thanks  Mr. Shivam Shankhdhar for sharing his experiences with the community.
 

If you are a Vidya Bharati alumni and associated with any kind of social / community service, kindly share your details at : https://www.vidyabharatialumni.org/social-service-survey

We would love to hear your story.