From steel makers to mentors -- executives of Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) turned tutors for students of the Birhor community during the lockdown.

With schools closed during the coronavirus-triggered restrictions, BSL officials thought of teaching the students at their hostels so that their education does not suffer.

BSL under its Gyan Jyoti Yojana had adopted the Birhor children in 2012. The plant provides them free education, food, accommodation, clothes and other essentials. There are 15 Birhor students studying in Classes IX and X at Kalyan Vidyalaya, Sector 3.

Young executives, mostly engineers, have volunteered to take out time to teach the students various subjects during the lockdown. As part of Sail’s SERVICE scheme, 11 executives of BSL have so far taken the initiative of teaching the students during their off-duty hours, said Manikant Dhan, BSL spokesperson.

An executive said she enjoyed teaching the Birhor children. They are focused and like studying, she said. “They are motivated and curious. They don’t hesitate to ask questions until their doubts are cleared,” she said.

Initially, the children were out of place in their new environment. But they have gradually become acquainted with urban culture and norms.

They are the residents of Tulbul, Khakhanda and Dumri Vihar villages, situated about 70km from the district headquarters, under the Gomia block.

Pran Birhor, one of the children, said: “We were worried about our studies as our school was closed due to the lockdown. We are in Class X and will take the matric exam this session. The mentors coming to teach us was a great help. We need them.”

Recently, a team of executive directors of BSL, including personnel and administration Mukul Prasad, projects R. Kushwaha, material management V.K. Pandey and finance D.K. Saha, met Birhor students and spoke about their progress. They during interaction with the students, asked about their daily study routines, follow-up assignments and recreational activities.

The officials encouraged them to not to hesitate from asking questions from their mentors for clearing doubts.