Severe gap in the provision of basic services in the newly developed area of Basant Kunj
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – About 5,000 children who were displaced from Akbar Nagar in Lucknow and resettled in Basant Kunj are facing a critical lack of educational opportunities. With no schools in the vicinity, these children have been unable to attend classes for nearly three months, highlighting a severe gap in the provision of basic services in the newly developed area.
The situation arose after the Lucknow Municipal Corporation and the Lucknow Development Authority demolished homes in Akbar Nagar, citing illegal construction. The displaced residents were allocated flats in Basant Kunj under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Prime Minister’s Residential Scheme). However, this new location has not been equipped with the necessary infrastructure.
In Basant Kunj, the absence of educational facilities has left many children without access to formal education. Among them are children studying in Class I to V, who used to attend school in Akbar Nagar. “It’s been nearly three months since our children have been out of school,” said Bushra, a dedicated social worker who previously ran a school in Akbar Nagar. “We are trying to educate the children at home, but it’s a temporary solution. The government needs to step in and provide proper schooling facilities.”
In Basant Kunj, Bushra has transformed part of her small flat into a makeshift classroom. “I had to leave behind much of our furniture and belongings to make space for the children,” she explained. “We have a 250-square-foot flat with just two rooms, and we are using every available inch to teach as many children as possible. My niece, Sadia Rehman, is also helping with the teaching.”
Bushra and her team of three other women are providing free education to children in their homes. Despite their commendable efforts, the situation remains dire. “The children are receiving education, but it’s not enough,” Bushra noted. “We are worried about their future as there are no government or private schools nearby. The children need proper facilities and resources to thrive.”
Social worker Imran Raja echoed these concerns. “The area has become a forested and dangerous zone, which makes it unsafe for children to travel long distances to school,” he said. “We have requested the government to allocate land for a school and to support us in building it through collective funding. The current conditions are unacceptable, and the government’s response to our needs has been inadequate.”
The lack of educational infrastructure is compounded by other issues in Basant Kunj. Residents report a complete absence of medical facilities and business opportunities, further exacerbating their plight. “While the government has resettled us from Akbar Nagar, they have failed to address our basic needs,” Imran Raja added. “We need comprehensive support, including schools, healthcare, and business infrastructure, to ensure a better quality of life.”
The situation in Basant Kunj is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by displaced communities. The demolition of homes in Akbar Nagar displaced approximately 20,000 people, who were then relocated to Basant Kunj. The authorities’ failure to provide essential services in the new settlement has led to significant hardships for the relocated families.
As the plight of these children continues, community leaders and social workers are calling for immediate government intervention. “We need a sustainable solution to ensure that every child has access to education,” Bushra emphasised. “The government must act swiftly to address the gaps in infrastructure and provide the necessary resources to support these children’s education.”
The lack of schools in Basant Kunj underscores a broader issue of inadequate planning and support for displaced communities. As residents and social workers continue their advocacy, the hope is that the government will recognise the urgency of the situation and take decisive action to rectify the oversight.
In the meantime, the efforts of individuals like Bushra and her team provide a glimmer of hope to the affected children, even as they navigate the uncertainties of their new environment. The community’s resilience and dedication stand as a testament to their commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind, despite the innumerable challenges.
