Soumitra Mandal, 31, known as the “Oxygen Man” of the Sunderbans, who saved many lives in South 24-Parganas’s remote Gosaba block during the Covid-19 pandemic, has now set up a free coaching centre for girls of classes V to XII, in Bali island.

This coaching centre, he hopes, will help the girls get a better understanding of the school curriculum since their parents cannot afford private tutors.

Mandal, a jobless honours graduate in geography, had cycled with medicines and oxygen concentrators and cylinders to Covid patients in Gosaba at the height of the pandemic. Still unemployed, he has now invested all the cash he received as reward for his work during Covid-19 into this venture which he has named the “Nona Dwiper Pathshala (saline island’s school)”. The five-cottah plot of land has been donated by his father Tarak Mandal, a textile mill worker in Calcutta.

Since May 6, 30 girls have enrolled as students in Mandal’s free coaching centre.

Studies apart, it will make the girls aware of social evils and socio-economic problems.

For the last two weeks, students like Nandita Baidya, Riya Sana, Ankita Mondal of Class V and others have been attending the coaching from Monday to Saturday from 6am for three hours.

“I try to ensure each girl understands her school lessons in a joyful manner and overcomes her fears of the subject,” Mandal said.

But why only girls? Mandal, who tutors for free at least 50 other students, including boys in different areas of Gosaba, said: “In an area dominated by nature and poverty, where the scope of jobs is limited, many girls who are first-generation learners are forced to drop out of school. So I am trying to ensure that girls here don’t stop their education.”

“I have arranged a space for girls whose parents can’t afford a private tutor at home. I am lucky that my friends and well-wishers are supportive of my coaching centre,” Mandal added.

Classes have begun under a shed built on a structure of cement pillars holding up a corrugated sheet. Residents donated labour to build the shed.

While Mandal teaches students, he has, with the support of a voluntary organisation, also appointed a lady teacher. “I am thankful to the Bongaon Nirvaya Welfare Association which offered to pay Rs 2,500 a month to the teacher,” said Mandal.

Swapan Baidya, the father of a student and a construction worker, praised Mandal’s initiative as “a blessing”.

“I can’t afford a private tutor and am not educated enough to teach my daughter,” Baidya added.