A group of college students played Santa Claus to underprivileged children.

Besides handing out gifts, the students from the department of journalism and mass communication of Women’s College, Calcutta, in Bagbazar, also shared valuable
lessons with the children, stressing the significance of education in shaping their
futures.

On Monday, 48 students from the college visited a learning centre in Madhyamgram to spend time with around 100 children, mostly first-generation learners, whose parents are either rickshaw-pullers or do odd jobs to make a living, there.

Some of them are brought up by grandparents, uncles, or aunts in the absence of
parents.

“I want to study, but there is nobody at home to teach me,” an eight-year-old girl said.

Spending time with the children was a revelation of sorts for the young students, they said.

The students handed over packets containing woollen caps, blankets, cakes, exercise books, and colour-pencil sets to these children.

“It was not just about giving gifts to them but also listening to what they have to say. Many of them drop out of school because of their circumstances,” said Ishita Das, a second-year postgraduate student.

“We have our parents and teachers to guide us but for many of these children, their parents are unaware. That impacts the children in the long run,” said Ishita.

The children aged between three and 12 years go to the learning centre run by NGO Shristir Pathe.

“The children want to study but they drop out because their parents want them to earn money. If three of their children earn ₹100 a day, it is a lot of money for the family,” said Nupur Ghosh, secretary of Shristir Pathe.

The organisation works with women and children.

“It is a vicious circle. Since the mothers have led such a life, they make their children go through the same,” she said.

Some of them also have to be at home to take care of their younger siblings, said Ghosh.

“This was part of our outreach programme. The girls mostly arranged the funds for the trip. Some teachers and former students also contributed. They are willing to go back and take some classes if the NGO asks them to do so,” said Biswajit Das, PG coordinator (academic), department of journalism and mass communication, Women’s College, Calcutta.