 Waheeda
Plays `Guide` To Slum Children
Deepak Mahaan
Waheeda Rehman has played many a role in "reel life". She is now set
to play a new role in real life!!
The graceful actress of yesteryears is these days spearheading a
primary education movement for the children of slum dwellers and is in
Jaipur to promote the cause as an Ambassador of Pratham, an NGO into
educating these not-so-fortunate children.
The heroine who inspired Mohammed Rafi's immortal melody "Chaudhvin
ka Chand" is still "lajawaab" as she "Guide(s)" slum children towards a
new destiny visiting the schools in some dirty lanes of the old city.
Waheeda opines educating children deprived of schooling is now her
life-mission. The children in Jaipur have recently been associated with
modern education under a unique scheme of Janshala schools and Waheeda
is clearly delighted for being a motivator for these children and their
parents.
Smiling as prettily as ever, Waheeda said, "I have done numerous
roles but this is a real role. In films, my roles were dictated by the
directors but here I do whatever my heart wants me to do. And this role
is obviously much more enjoyable."
 Waheeda
was provided a glimpse of the modern teaching materials used at these
schools to make learning more attractive for students. And the children
in return were fortunate to learn some very special lessons from Waheeda
as a teacher.
The children who were not witness to Waheeda Rehman's glorious days
of filmy glamour are nevertheless bowled over by the simplicity of their
"aunty." But their parents who had seen her delightful films were
overwhelmed by her simplicity and frank demeanour.
Said an admiring parent, "I wish the modern actresses could learn
from Waheeda how to carry themselves with dignity. She is grace
personified."
Surveys indicate that over 40% children in Rajasthan drop out before
reaching 5th standard due to poverty and environmental deficiencies in
schools.
The Janshaala program has started in six districts of Rajasthan and
Waheeda has promised to visit all districts to promote schooling among
slum children. In a state where literacy rates are abominably low,
hopefully efforts like these will help to turn the dream of
universalizing primary education in Rajasthan into concrete reality.
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