Darshan Lal

If the direction of education is colossal, then the purpose of self-reliance is obtained on its own. Both complement each other. Gandhi Ji asserted that self-reliance is the authenticity of true education. Education breeds sympathy and compassion and self-reliance is proven on its own. Shri Darshan Lal Ji realized this importance and made education and women’s self-reliance in the tribal sector the objective of his life.

Belonging to an ordinary farming family, Darshan Lal Ji experienced the surrounding environment with great seriousness. The anguish of having no school nearby for studies is also engraved in his psyche and mind. After completing his education and securing a job in the silk department, for the development of education in the Dehradun block, he established primary schools in has many villagers.

Due to the medium of working in this work of service, he took premature retirement to dedicate himself to full-time service. In 1996, he established the ‘Akhil Bhartiya Buxa Scheduled Tribes Development Committee’. Due to the participation of this committee and the intense will power, in Shisham Bara he established the ‘Buxa Jan Jati Krishak Inter College’. The effort of Darshan Lal Ji for the upliftment of his society in the field of education is commendable.

Seeing the status of women in his society, he aspired to awaken the sense of self-reliance within them. He did the significant task of stipulating economic prosperity by providing ‘Silk Pests Compliance Training’ to these women.

Education decides the speed as well as the direction of self-reliance and employment.

Through the medium of education, Darshan Lal Ji made successful efforts to achieve them. Today, 5 primary, 2 junior high schools and inter college are being operated. These are providing education to about 3000 students and almost 70 young men & women of the tribal society are getting employment. What can be a better example of identifying the integrity of education.

Due to the training undertaken to make these women financially sound and self-reliant, more than 2000 women – individually as well as in groups are involved in silk production.

Any attempt at education, self-reliance, employment and economic prosperity can be possible only when they have access to basic requirements. With government cooperation and his personal efforts, Darshan Lal Ji also worked to provide accommodations for houseless persons of the Buxa society.

Education aids to identify one’s rights. Due to illiteracy, the people of the Buxa tribe were indifferent to their rights. The education movement awakened and motivated them to secure their rights. About 3500 people from 22 villages received assistance of various kinds such as old age homes, differently abled benefits and widow pension.

This effort of Darshan Lal Ji assisted in joining the scheduled Buxa tribe with the mainstream society. The economic condition of the people improved. The ability to receive benefits from welfare schemes expanded. Seeing his commitment and ground-breaking work in the tribal sector, ‘Sant Eshwer Foundation’ has decided to honour Shri Darshan Lal Ji with the ‘Sant Eshwer Seva Samman’ for the year 2019.