Deepalaya - Enabling Self-Reliance

Mukta Mandal, an alumnus of Deepalaya School, is a role model for other children especially among the girls to look up to. Presently, Mukta is a teacher at Deepalaya School in Sanjay Colony where she began her teaching career with the Upper Kindergarten children four years ago and is now teaching class IIIrd children.

Coming from an economically marginalized background, life has not been easy for Mukta. It was difficult for her father, a petty trader (who expired two years ago) and her mother, a housewife to provide her with education. Money was a major constraint as she also had two younger sisters and a brother at home. But with Deepalaya’s support and encouragement, they were able to provide her with quality education thereby enabling her for a secure future ahead.

Throughout her schooling, Mukta was a dedicated and brilliant student and constant guidance from Deepalaya kept her going. Teachers always encouraged her to plan out her life and motivated her to pave her own path. After completing her graduation from Delhi University in Arts stream, Mukta wanted to get enrolled in Nursery Teacher’s Training course. Deepalaya’s work with children made her interested in the field of Education, but pursuing a formal training in this field was a challenge because of the high costs involved. At this juncture, Deepalaya’s support made her realize her dream of higher education. Today, Mukta is grateful to Deepalaya who always stood beside her and facilitated her at each and every step of her life.

Mukta is now using her education and training as a teacher in Deepalaya to motivate more and more children especially the girl children to be educated and self reliant.

Mukta had the option of joining another bigger school but she preferred to come back to Deepalaya School as a teacher as she loves the congenial and conducive learning atmosphere she gets at Deepalaya. Mukta undoubtedly is a true example of Deepalaya’s empowerment process who has been enlightened to lighten the lives of other disadvantaged children in our society.