From Comfort to Discipline

(This was written in anticipation of the monsoon, which is now upon us!)

As the calendar turns its pages, marking the end of May, a sense of exhilaration fills the air, for the eagerly awaited monsoon season whispers its arrival . Mother nature is ready for cool breezes and soothing showers. In the first week of June, It’s the time when a bittersweet ache settles within the hearts of parents as the school reopens after the summer vacations.The season of cherished togetherness and boundless joy draws to a close, and with it comes the inevitable farewell, as children prepare to embark on their journey back to the hallowed halls of their hostel.

In Shahapur block of Thane district, there are many adivasi ashram schools which are residential schools, imparting education upto the secondary level to children belonging to scheduled tribes. 

As the day approaches to bid farewell, parents start their preparations, ensuring their children are equipped for the journey into the hostel. With care and love, they try to attend to the smallest details, from clothes to personal belongings , from stationery to bedding, carefully considering every practical need. Mothers meticulously pack snacks for children which can sustain them during small cravings after leaving home. With whatever money they saved in the summer, they buy all the necessary goods, anticipating the challenges that lie ahead and strive to equip their children with the tools to navigate them. 

And so, as the day of departure dawns, there is a delicate dance of emotions that  happens within the parental heart. They hold back tears and summon a brave smile, masking the longing etched upon their faces and whisper words of encouragement, of unwavering belief in their children’s abilities, and of a love that transcends time and space. They stand rooted to the spot, their eyes tracing every retreating step, until their beloved ones disappear around the corner, entering the walls of the hostel .

When  the moment of departure draws near, a whirlwind of emotions engulfs the hearts of children, leaving the comfort of their homes for the unknown embrace of a hostel.  They know now that they can’t throw tantrums over  a non-favourite vegetable, they will miss the warmth of their mothers hands wrapped around them  while  they are fall sick. But along with that excitement dances in their eyes, as they envision newfound friendships, and a world of possibilities that lay just beyond the threshold. Yet, nestled within their eager anticipation, a tinge of apprehension weaves its way into their thoughts.

Nobody wants to leave their children away but in Shahapur Taluka due to scattered hamlets and population there is scarcity  of schools . Also most of the parents tend to go for seasonal migration which hampers their children’s education. That’s why hostels become a safe option for the continuation of children’s education till 12th class without disturbance. And the parents, though touched by the bitter sweetness of parting, find solace in the knowledge that their children will get a good education and will be able to build a good future for themselves. Deep down, they understand that in the journey of letting go, they have also granted their children the wings to fly.