Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh): Seema Verma, a law student from Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur, is on an initiative to bring a positive change in the lives of downtrodden children around her. The initiative 'One Rupee Campaign' has not only brought a positive change through education in the lives of the children but also helped them to make a name for themselves.
Verma collects one rupee from the donors and through the money collected provides for the education of the downtrodden children including their school fees.
The campaign was started in 2016 after one of Verma's friends, a specially-abled person had to buy an electronic tricycle and Verma was determined to provide one for her even if it required money from her fellow students.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Verma said that she started the campaign on August 10 in 2016 when she wanted to get a tricycle for her specially-abled friend."
She also said that the Hindu Banaras Univerity was constructed through donations of meagre amounts from people, with this concept she was confident in collecting money from the people for the education of the downtrodden.
Initially, Verma collected Rs 2,34,000 which she paid as the school fees for many children. To date, Verma has paid for the stationary items of 13, 000 children at present she is taking care of the education of over 34 children.
Verma further said that in the beginning, she would pay for the fees and uniform however, later many people started connecting with the initiative. Several people including the then SP of Bilaspur, Mayank Srivastava adopted 6 children. After which, Special DGP Chhattisgarh RK Vij deposited the fee of a 12th std student for the whole year. IPS and Bilaspur range IG Ratanlal Dangi also helped Verma with the initiative.
During the Covid induced lockdown, Verma would also provide free tuition to the poor children. Along with the tuition, children are engaged in various extra co-circular activities like yoga and dance. Drawing and art and craft competitions are also held to keep the children excited.
She also educates children about good and bad Touch, POCSO Act, Fundamental Rights, Child Marriage, Right to Education and Child Labor etc.
So far, Verma has received more than two dozen awards at the regional and national levels.
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