Ravi Vadlamani had it all! He was a chartered accountant and qualified company secretary for over 15 years and worked with many prominent people. But one fine day, he decided to leave his cushy job and use his skills for the benefit of the underprivileged. Ravi dared to dream big and that’s how the ‘Save our Schools Task Force’ was born!
Ravi, who has the mighty aim of distributing over five lakh benches to government schools, is hailed as ‘The Benches Man’. His single-minded dedication to uplift the underprivileged is the reason why Ravi has already managed to distribute 1.5 lakh benches.
For Ravi, working with children has always been a passion. “I strongly believe every child should have the right to learn in a healthy and enriching environment,” he says. It was the sight of children sitting on the floor and learning that prompted him to take action.
“I realised it is extremely difficult for them to study and concentrate on their schoolwork, especially for children from grades 7 to 10. Bad posture will not only affect their writing and reading habits but also strain their necks and back, leading to various health hazards at a tender age. The humble school desk can solve several problems,” he explains.
Ravi’s ultimate dream, one that was envisioned eight years ago, is to ensure that every child in a government school has a desk. “In the beginning, we assumed that one lakh school desks would be enough. But now, after thorough research and evaluation, we realise that at least four lakh more benches are needed. The mission is fairly simple. No child should sit on the floor in school.”
But how does he plan to finish the mammoth task of donating four lakh more benches? “We are planning to tie up with various international partners, propagating the concept to raise awareness and resources. But implementation takes time. Every year we are giving 15 to 20 desks. Each dual desk costs us about Rs 2,500.”
The challenges that Ravi faces to complete this noble cause range from finding resources to convincing vendors and implementing the entire project within the designated deadline. But he does not depend on the government for help. “We don’t take any support financially from the government. I strongly believe that it’s the duty of the civil society to ensure our children are properly educated,” says Ravi, adding, “I hope to convert every government school into a happy school,” he signs off.
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