ABOUT

Circa 2009. Bishnupada Rath was working in Swindon for Infosys and Banaj Kumar Roy (BR) was a local resident in Swindon, UK. Walking by Peatmoor lake in English countryside, both were marveling at the infrastructure and facilities of the nearby small village school and how ill equipped their village schools are back in India. How children from rural India are heavily dis-advantaged and on top of it, how today’s ultra competitive education system makes it hopelessly difficult for them to survive, let alone excel.

During the discussion, this painful truth emerged. They reminisced how some of their own classmates of school days of similar intellectual ability ended up struggling to make just ends meet, some of them hovering at or below poverty line even. For no fault of theirs other than not getting the right exposure at the right time and a level playing field.

They had not an iota of doubt in their minds, that had these people got a helping hand, a little guidance, a little support at the crucial stages of their education, they could have improved their and their families’ lives (at least financially) 10x times if not more. And in the process, could have also inspired children in their neighbourhood, in the wider locality to dare to dream and make their dreams come true.

Both of them were convinced, but didn’t know if there was anything they could do about it, on the ground. Or it would end up being just another lazy afternoon of intellectual discussions and deliberations.

As days passed, the frequency of their discussion increased and so did the intensity. And soon into the discussion came the critical missing part, the indomitable spirit of a volunteer organisation from a small village called Sambhabana. Seeing the impact of Sambhabana's creative camps for young kids, gave us courage and conviction that something can be done, on the ground, in the hinterlands of Odisha, where it is needed the most.

A blueprint was made, narrowed down to where it is that they can make a difference, what needs to be done, who they focus on, at which level, how to reach out to them and selection criteria …and many more. It took a while but eventually they got there. Now the time came to bring this all to fruition. It’s all fine to think and dream, but when it came to take that step, actually take that life changing step, to quit a cushy international career and it’s comforts… reality dawned on Bishnu and BR.

But Bishnu is made of different elements, for him the calling was louder than ever. He jumped right in, quit his job, the lifestyle, the comforts; against the advice of some colleagues, friends and family, dedicating his life, sacrificing his career and ambitions to give shape to ambitions of many young minds, add colour to dreams of many less privileged. He left behind his past life, to be the teacher, coach, mentor, guardian, friend to all those children.. An ever so helpful uncle that they never had.

To get started on this journey, they also needed funds for lodging, boarding, books and other expenses for the children. And a firm commitment to continue to fund till children got into something concrete. BR gave that commitment and so Sigma Academy got started. BR still remains a solid support system for this initiative to continue to this day.

And none of this would have been possible without the active support of Dipali Dash, better half of Bishnu. She didn’t just sacrifice the comforts, she took an active role, shouldering the responsibility of English and personality building, where these children lagged the most, besides teaching Chemistry.

Finally they embarked on their journey in the year 2014 and the first two batches have now completed their engineering from Govt engineering colleges and placed in companies like TCS and Infosys. A dream finally starting to take shape, effort bearing results.

Hope this small effort can inspire other under-privileged children around their area to dream. To dream unrestrained for their future, with the assurance and conviction that if there is anything between them and their dream, it is only their dedication and hard work, not their family’s financials or parent’s qualification or exposure. They will be provided a level playing field, to shine, if they wish to.