Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Jun 23: A kitchen has been opened in an educational institution in the town which till recently served merely as an educational hub. The teaching and non-teaching staff of the school have decided to repulse the miseries coronavirus has been heaping on them with this initiative.

The staff of Ambika Vidyalaya, a prestigious centre of learning in the taluk, have undertaken this novel gesture. Because of the coronavirus effect, the date on which the schools and colleges will reopen has remained uncertain. At the same time, the number of corona positive cases and deaths have been mounting with each passing day. The volatility of the situation particularly in the education sector has turned into a major problem for private educational institutions.

Private educational institutions are also facing a crisis because of the fact that admission of children, an annual feature, has not happened this time. This has posed a huge financial challenge for them. Because of this situation, institutions are resorting to affect a cut in the salaries payable to teachers in unaided schools. Many private educational institutions have already dropped about 10 per cent of their staff as a cost-cutting measure.

Under these trying circumstances, teaching and non-teaching staff of the above institution have come together to start 'Shivam Food Products'. The lecturers have come together under the leadership of Ambika College lecturer, Sathish, and have started a food products business on a small scale. On the first day, Monday, June 22 they prepared chips from jackfruit bulbs and laddus from jackfruit seeds. A school room was used for the purpose and most of the staff were involved with the work. For maintaining hygiene, the staff members used masks, gloves and caps. They have been giving importance to hygiene and taste.

The effort of Ambika Educational Institution goes on to prove that when confronted with challenges like the one posed by a coronavirus, the people also get to learn new lessons of survival.

The staff who have been working together have reached an understanding to share profit among themselves. The management of the institution has extended help to them. President of the institution Surahmanya Nattoja and principal Rajashree Nattoja have been extending full-fledged assistance.

Parents as customers

The scheme was envisaged to see that the teachers do not become unemployed, and also to address their economic problems. "In the initial stages, parents of the children will be our customers. Depending on their response, we plan to expand the number of items. Till the schools are opened again, Shivam Food Products will continue to function. If there is demand, it will continue even thereafter," explained lecturer of the college, Sathish.

President of Ambika Vidyalaya, Subrahmanya Nattoja, says that getting involved with Shivam Food Products is not mandatory to anyone. Those who are facing financial problems or those who have an interest in the field can join voluntarily. They will share profits among themselves. Our institution extends full support to this initiative," he added.