D.B.M.S.
English School, Jamshedpur

ARK and Preeta Krishna | Frozen Thoughts | Chennai | November 2004, Volume 4: Issue 5

If you find yourself saying, “What can I do? I am after all a housewife”.., watch your words. Read on to find out what a housewife can accomplish.

If you have ever seen someone cruising in a car, stopping at bus stops, asking people if they want a lift, it could well have been noble hearted Bhanumathi Neelakantan. Ever looking for an opportunity to reach out and help, she is an exemplary role model for the youth of today. Sixty- six, but young at heart, she has the drive of an ambitious youth. A woman who could well have been a face in the crowd, she has single-handedly set new standards for being housewife having worked immensely for the cause of education and helped set up a number of educational institutions to cater to various segments of society.

What got you interested in the field of education?

I was born and brought up in Chennai. I would attribute my interest in the field of education to the grooming 1 received at Lady Sivaswamy Ayyar Girls’ High School. The atmosphere we were provided with developed in me, and harnessed my love for education. Ironically though, I got married before I could complete my graduation. As my husband was working for the Tatas at Jamshedpur, moved with him to Jamshedpur. I have always been the kind who needs a preoccupation. My mind was always bubbling with ideas and creativity. Besides, being a housewife gave me a lot of time on my hands. Jamshedpur in 1964 had only two English medium schools and a lot of parents used to send their children to their hometowns for their education. This gave me an opening to do something very productive for the community over there - providing quality education. In one of his lectures at Jamshedpur, Swami Chinmayananda stressed the importance of spreading education with a missionary zeal. This was what propelled me over the years to establish 6 mainstream schools, and a school for mentally challenged children, the only one of its kind in the whole of Bihar. Today, there are over 6000 children studying in all the schools put together. We were the first to start a Maths Lab in our school to help children overcome the fear of Maths. Subsequently, it was made compulsory by CBSE. I believed I was part of Jamshedji Tata’s dream - to make our community exemplary, to live a quality life and honour our duty towards the family and the community.

How challenging was the process for a rank newcomer in the society?

I, firmly believe that irrespective of the challenges you fate, strength and determination pave the way. Unless you take up something, you can’t find your talents. Life is like swimming: you have to jump in to learn.

Right from childhood, my parents encouraged me to do something different. There was always an organiser hidden inside me. At the age of twelve, I used to get all the children in the colony together and organise games. I approached a member of our locality who used to work with All India Radio to participate in their entertainment programs for children. So, I was always ready to take the lead, always filled with initiative. I was fortunate to find a group of like- minded individuals, who too wanted to do something for the community. Organising finances for our projects was the greatest challenge initially. But we found a way out. We started conducting fund raising programs through a quiz society we had formed, which organised quiz competitions funded by corporate organisations. We also set up a bakery with a bank loan through which we managed to raise the funds for running the career academy for women. We then started the National Open School to help children above 14 years who had been sent out by schools, as they were unable to cope with the pressure of Board exams and homework. These children were offered five subjects of their choice, which could be done at their own pace. Exams were held twice a year. This Open School (from the middle school level) was started on the same campus as our mainstream school. We maintained the same uniform to ensure that the children did not develop a complex. The school turned out to be such a blessing to the Jamshedpur community. Every year, 600 students get enrolled and eventually join normal colleges.

Back then, the potential of women was hardly given consideration; so I felt I had to prove myself And if that called for extra work, so be it. With so much happening, I was holding ten key positions in ten different institutions. Managing time was a challenge. With no computer to facilitate the process, I had to manually make all the notes and plans for our projects. To accomplish all this, I used to sleep at 1000p.m. andgetupat2.30a.m. Organising finances required a lot of planning. In fact, there was a time when Saturdays used to be a nightmare because it was payday for the workers. And in my case, I would never wait for the funds to start a project. I have always believed that once you make a beginning, the funds will come. And once you have proved yourself, TISCO is all out to help. If you can display reliability and transparency in accounts, TISCO gives about 20-25% funding. Subsequently, I was given a Hindi medium school, asking me to make it English medium. That was a very challenging phase, as we were forced to put a lot of teachers out of employment. The locals there being very aggressive wouldn’t take it lying down. I was mobbed, threatened and stoned. But I stood my ground. Today, the same teachers come back to us for admissions for children known to them. I have faced a lot of cynicism and sarcasm, but I never allowed it to bog me down. I firmly believe that irrespective of the challenges you face, strength and determination pave the way.

Can you tell us about the other activities you involved yourself in?

I associated myself with the Dakshin Bharat Mahila Sabha, which had been doing a lot of good work for the community since its inception in 1944. After my joining, we first started a Hindi Medium Girls’ High School for students from the lower income group in 1964 and then the DBMS English Medium School, the first ICSE Co-education school in 1965. With help from the Tatas, we then set up a gymnasium. I harbour a great love for entertainment and have produced some very fine entertainment programs. I have even organised the opening ceremony for one of the National games. When Jharkand state was created, DBMS adopted a tribal school. Knowing that education is their only salvation, against a lot of opposition, I went ahead with it and we started a school in four rooms. Having observed that tribal children are very good at games and activities, we started sending teachers and coaches. Today, the school even has computer facilities. The only thing needed now is Government recognition. We set up the first Blood Bank in Bihar and I did a good amount of canvassing for blood donation. The myth of weakness and the fear of donating blood made people shun me. Just to encourage people and set an example, I donated blood 32 times.

In fact, on days that 1 donated blood, I ensured I did more work than usual so as to prove that it doesn’t make you weak and tired. Today, this Blood Bank has the maximum voluntary donors and is the best all over India. We also set up a Music Circle and a Kennel Club. The dog shows organised by the Bihar Kennel Club helped people develop a love for pets and good breeds. I was also instrumental in starting the Jamshedpur Women’s Cricket Association. After coming back to Chennai, I worked with EXNORA on rainwater harvesting and zero garbage for four years. I then did a project with UNICEF in 14 Corporation schools in Chennai on environmental awareness. In my personal capacity, I visit old age homes in Chennai, the shocking truth of which is that Tamil Nadu has the maximum number of Old Age Homes.

Though helping people has been my sole passion, I yet found the time for other things. Even when I was extremely busy, I created time for yoga and gardening. I am a child at heart, and a very adventurous one at that. At the age of57, I climbed the Yamunothri and Gomukh peaks (13,000 ft) along with Ms. Bachendripal. We also organised a lot of mountaineering camps, river rafting, para jumping, all of which I have participated in. Today, however, my speed has come down and I am on the path of spirituality.

Isn’t the number of lives you have touched and changed astounding?

I am basically a very friendly and helpful person, and have a keen eye for spotting talent. I believe that if you know your strengths, goals develop. I have always used my position to help as many people as I can. I have stood as guarantor for so many people - vegetable vendors, taxi drivers, people opening shops, etc for the loans they availed for their business. And today, they are all doing so well in life. In the sixties, we had a Nepali gurkha who joined our school as a watchman. I spotted his intelligence. We offered him a peon’s job and helped him to complete his education by attending evening classes. He went on to become a graduate in Commerce and is today an accountant in our school. There was another person who had come from Tamil Nadu to sell dosas. We employed him as a lab assistant. He too attended evening classes and eventually started a computerised press by himself. Today, his son is doing engineering. Both these people are proud owners of flats.

I have always seen that once a woman recognises her potential, she can do anything. I remember learning in a Tamil poem in school that one must be like a coconut, every part of which is useful. Even though you may not have watered it, it falls the moment it is ready. This poem had a deep impact on me. I believe that one must lead a wholesome and purposeful life. Unless you take up something, you can’t find your talents. Life is like swimming: you have to jump in to learn. I felt that I had received so much and that I must give back to society. All this has given me immense satisfaction, special happiness and strength, and I believe it is cyclical.

It’s been ten years since you left Jamshedpur. What is your link with the place?

My bond with Jamshedpur is very strong, and 1 have great affinity for that place. I visit Jamshedpur three times a year. About four years ago, I read about a person in Bombay who had started a mobile ‘toy and book’ library to benefit the slum children and help them utilise their time better. He would go there with a group of people and spend time with the children. Inspired by the novel idea, a number of NRIs donated vans and videos. I liked the idea immensely and have finally got the opportunity to do a similar thing in Jamshedpur. On the occasion of our Diamond Jubilee, we are starting a similar library. We have adopted four slums and four groups of students will visit accompanied by teachers. When I left Jamshedpur, my brothers established a trust in my name to give awards to deserving women candidates. Many women have been beneficiaries of that - one blind girl is presently doing her PG in Aligarh and another illiterate woman has started her own goat farm and is also into rope making. The award is like a pat on the back for those who are putting up their own brave struggle in the face of adversity.

Your life must be filled with special, golden moments!?!

Every moment of my life when I have been able to touch someone else’s life and make a difference has been a golden moment for me. And down the pathway of years, 1 have amassed a vast treasure of such moments. A very satisfying feeling that I carry is about ‘The School of Hope’, which we started for mentally challenged children. More than 50% of them are able to get jobs for their capacity. Initially, there was no support and people felt it was useless to spend money and energy on them. Today, these children, who used to be regarded as useless and violent, have gained a lot of confidence. In fact, when Mother Teresa visited the school, the social workers were introduced to her. One of the mothers whose son was mentally challenged introduced me as the ‘Mother Teresa of Jamshedpur’. On hearing this, Mother Teresa immediately gave me a warm hug. It was indeed a very special moment.

When JRD Tata was awarded the ‘Rharat Ratna’, he visited Jamshedpur. A huge function was organised in his honour, and only four people were selected to speak to a gathering of over 50,000 people. I was one of them, and the only woman as well. I consider that a great honour. This birthday, I received over 50 calls from all over India, from people whose lives I have touched. There can be no greater reward than the love people give back to you.

Do you have a message for our women and youth?

Women have to break free of their shackles, especially the self-created one of housework. Every member of the family should be made part of the household chores. The family should work like a team. Women, especially housewives, have the mentality that only they should do the housework. Consequently, they are overworked, and left with TV and movies as their only relaxation. Russi Modi stopped overtime, as he felt that overtime only reflects inefficiency. This applies to families as well. Women should stop feeling that only they can and should do the housework. Once a team is formed, she will find time for herself And once that happens, she will open the windows and expansion will happen. Only then will empowerment happen. Gender bias in the house with regard to household chores has to be done away with.

Women have to break free of their shackles, especially the self-created one of housework. Every member of the family should be made to share the household chores. The family should work like a team. Women should stop feeling that only they can and should do the housework. Once a team is formed, she will find time for herself. And once that happens, she will open the windows and expansion will happen. Only then will empowerment happen. Gender bias in the house with regard to household chores has to be done away with.

As for the youth, my message is sharing. Share your knowledge, experiences, time, and strengths. Mother Teresa said ‘Give till it hurts’. That’s how we should live. Most of the depression people suffer is because they had self-centred lives. Youth can do wonders and can help create a better country and quality of life. Youth should start looking at things differently. They should want to help others and serve the society. To be successful, spiritual discipline is a must. It is this that instils faith and erases fear and doubt.

We walked back stunned. How much she has accomplished.., how many lives she has touched - all this, expecting nothing in return! She even turned down a job offer from the Tatas for six thousand rupees per month and a chauffeur driven car to be a fulltime paid social worker. What can you say of such a selfless woman, battling her arthritic knees, refusing to stop her tireless service! A visionary propelled by the zeal to use every moment of her life purposefully. We wish her success in all her endeavours.