Just over two kilometers from Kalgachia in Barpeta district of Assam is a village called Kharballi. Interestingly, the village – which once was ‘easily commutable’ from Kalgachia – has been cut-off by river Beki as it changed course due to floods.
The devastating floods ensured that Kharballi, and 11 other villages, are now part of ‘an island’.
During the 2022 floods, the Kharballi LP School, which was established in 1954 was washed away, leaving hundreds of students with no school.
On June 8, the residents of Kharballi and nearby villages could come together to celebrate as the 69-year-old school formally got a new address – and a modern infrastructure.
Group Legrand India, the leading provider of electrical and digital building infrastructure, as a part of their social initiative, rebuilt the flood-affected Kharballi LP School in Barpeta, Assam.
As the new building was handed over to the public, the quaint locality came buzzing as sweetshops were set up with villagers coming together to welcome the “officials” – of the state education department, the local committee that looked-after the reconstruction work, the donor who donated his land for the school, the NGO who was entrusted by Legrand India for the construction work, the local media and the team of Group Legrand India.
Working in close collaboration with the community and NGO United Way India, Group Legrand India undertook the complete reconstruction of the school, reigniting hope among the students and instilling a sense of resilience. By employing local villagers for the construction, Group Legrand India not only provide employment opportunities but also fostered a strong sense of community involvement.
The newly reconstructed school now stands as a symbol of hope and resilience. Equipped with modern classrooms, toilets and other facilities, the school ensures a conducive environment for learning, nurturing the potential of each child.
Mafida Khatoon, head teacher of Kharballi LP School, shared her experience, stating: “Education is of utmost importance for our community. This school serves three villages on this island, and after the floods destroyed our old school, we came together and built a temporary shelter for our children to continue their studies. The support from Group Legrand India in building the new school has been a tremendous relief. Since the construction of the new building began, there has been a significant increase in student enrollment. The improved infrastructure has attracted more children, and we are grateful for the support we have received.”
Abida Aneez, head CSR & sustainability at Group Legrand India, while addressing the media at Kharballi, said that it was indeed a delight to witness the enthusiasm of the students. “This is a gift to the hundreds of students who will one day become doctors, engineers, civil servants etc. From now onwards, no children should be left out of education because of lack of facilities,” she said after inaugurating the new school building.
For the villagers, it was a relief as from now they need not send their children across the river for basic education. “Floods leave us paralyzed every year. We are a poor village. I am happy to see many officials coming here today. Our children need proper education. We need more facilities. Hope, this is a good start,” said Mofizur, a villager. Others echoed Mofizur’s views and added that the all-weather school building will go a long way in helping the students of the nearby villages as well.
In a statement, Tony Berland, CEO & MD of Group Legrand India, expressed his enthusiasm and pride in being a part of this meaningful project. “Education is one of the key focus areas in our social initiatives, and we are delighted and filled with pride to have built this new school for these children. We firmly believe that every child deserves access to education and a safe environment to study. Through this initiative, we are not only improving the lives of the students but also creating a safe and nurturing learning environment, paving the way for a better tomorrow,” the statement quoting Berland said.
