Dharma Ram

When Dharma Ram was six, he walked into a Satya Bharti School with nothing more than a pocketful of dreams and a smile to match. His small family of two brothers, a sister and doting parents was happy in their small mud-house but he knew that they struggled to make ends meet with the father working under gruelling conditions at a stone mine and the mother battling last stages of cancer. When in school, Dharma left behind his worries!

With Bharti Foundation’s emphasis on holistic learning in its Satya Bharti Schools, students like Dharma discover a special love for studies within remote rural contexts.

Today, at the age of 15, Dharma studies at a Government School which also falls under the Bharti Foundation led Satya Bharti Quality Support Program. Through this initiative, the learning and best practices from Satya Bharti Schools are being scaled up to Government Schools, setting the scene for school excellence in far-flung villages.

Two years ago, Dharma lost his mother to cancer and his father quit his job at the mines due to failing health. The family survived on a measly annual crop and occasional stints at the stone mines. Despite these circumstances, Dharma responded to the quality education being imparted at his school and exceeded all expectations as he won several medals at State-Level Science Quiz competitions.

Beginning with a sound learning foundation of quality education at Satya Bharti School in the remote village of Jati Bhandu in Jodhpur District (Rajasthan), Dharma’s teachers sensed his thirst for knowledge and encouraged him to hone his skills in all subjects. In addition to a keen interest in science, Dharma excelled in athletics, Kabaddi and even won prizes at Inter-School Art competitions! With this solid backing, Dharma Ram confidently moved on to Government Senior Secondary School, Dhandhaniya Bhaila.

Dharma thereafter was immediately taken under the wing of his Principal, Lalit Kumar and the Bharti Foundation Academic mentor, Muhammed Naseem. Impressed with the young all-rounder, they began honing his skills in both scholastic and co-scholastic aspects, opening up a world of potential in him. His first feat was a State-Level Science Exhibition organized by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in which he won the first prize. Exhilarated by his victory, Dharma shared, “At both my schools, I learned that Science, Sports and Art are all leaves of the same tree of knowledge. My teachers at Satya Bharti School helped me overcome all obstacles in my foundation years. At my Government School, I was given opportunities to excel. Though I miss my mother terribly, I know she is somewhere shining with pride, brighter than all my medals.”

Dharma Ram’s winning spell did not end there; he was then sent to represent his school at the state level SCIERT competition. Here too, he returned victorious, winning third prize as well as immeasurable encouragement to continue pursuing his aspirations of a future in the field of Science. Consistent as a topper throughout, he is now part of a study group at his school, preparing to ace the upcoming Class X Board exams.

Proud of his star student, Principal Lalit Kumar added, “Dharma Ram has always been a good student and I am happy that our combined efforts give opportunities to students from tough backgrounds to not only fuel their passion for knowledge but also confidently stake their rightful pace as victors.”