A 52-year-old alumnus of Bengal’s Visva-Bharati and a private tutor organised a motivation session for coal pickers at Jharia in Dhanbad on Monday to educate their children and not let them venture into hazardous open-cast coal mine areas for work.

“Two of my students — Chanda Kumari, 13, and Pankaj Kumar, 14 — had left their studies and gone for coal picking and died when the mines caved in on November 9, 2018, at Jharia. In remembrance of those deceased children, I decided to hold an interactive session at Liloripathra (near Jharia railway station where the mishap had taken place) with the children and their parents about the importance of pursuing education, maintaining hygiene and not to waste their money in gambling and liquor,” said Pinaki Roy, who has been providing education to children of coal pickers through Coalfield Children Classes.

During the hour-long session, the children and their parents were informed about the importance of education compared to working in risky conditions in the coal mines in an illegal manner.

Pinaki Roy has been providing education to children of coal pickers through Coalfield Children Classes. Telegraph picture

“Our centre not only helps such students but also guides them in taking up proper careers. We told the children about several avenues available to earn a livelihood without much cost. The parents were asked not to let their children venture into coal picking and not waste money on liquor and gambling ” Roy said. He has also provided free meals to 370 families of coal pickers between April and May during the lockdown with contributions from well-wishers.

Roy, his wife and two other faculties have been helping the children of coal pickers by teaching them mathematics, English, art and computer free of cost at Hetlibandh, Gansadih and Sahanapahari Dobari — all areas affected by underground fires in Jharia — thrice a week for the last two years under the banner of Coalfield Children Classes. The students are also provided copies, schoolbags, water bottles and geometry boxes free of cost.