Army veteran revives rural school in Uttarakhand
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Rohit Chaudhary, a retired Army officer, became the Managing Trustee of Happy By Nature School in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India, in 2022. He found a school serving around 30 students in a state of disrepair and has since increased enrollment to 180.
Chaudhary previously had a corporate career before deciding to dedicate himself to the school after a visit revealed its neglected condition and the eagerness of the children to learn.
The school prioritizes holistic development, encouraging critical thinking and practical skills alongside the standard NCERT curriculum. Students learn through experiments, creative projects, and engagement with their environment, including lessons on afforestation and food forests. Volunteers from across India contribute to the school’s summer programs, sharing expertise in areas like technology, music, and psychology. Happy By Nature School is expanding with a new higher secondary school building in Singuni village, designed to accommodate 520 students and provide modern facilities.
Chaudhary also emphasizes the importance of parental involvement through regular meetings and counseling, aiming to reinforce the school’s values at home and address challenges like caste discrimination and family issues. He hopes the school will serve as a model for rural education in the region, attracting students and teachers dedicated to making a difference.
