Independence Day Celebration at Z.P. School Lavhali (Masle Belpada)
Location: Lavhali (Masle Belpada), Taluka Murbad, District Thane
This Independence Day of 2019 marked yet another meaningful step in Lakshya Foundation’s journey of connecting with the remotest corners of Maharashtra’s tribal heartlands. Our team reached the Z.P. School Lavhali (Masle Belpada) in Murbad taluka—a village so remote and hidden from the main roads that it felt like discovering a world time had forgotten.
Interestingly, there are two tribal villages named Lavhali in Thane district—one in Ambernath taluka (where Lakshya Foundation has been actively engaged for years), and this newly visited one in Murbad taluka. We first heard of this Lavhali through Mr. Pandurang Shirke, the dedicated principal who had earlier served at Z.P. School Kuderan. Having seen our work closely there, he had extended a heartfelt invitation to celebrate Independence Day at his new posting in this far-flung village.
When our convoy turned off the main road toward Lavhali, skepticism filled the air. The path ahead looked less like a road and more like a forgotten trail swallowed by the forest. The deeper we went, the narrower and bumpier it became. Mud, stones, and potholes seemed endless, as if testing our resolve to reach those who needed us most.
But we did reach—and what we saw when we arrived left us shaken.
The Harsh Reality
The Z.P. School Lavhali stood before us as a stark reminder of the rural-urban divide. The building looked as though it had been standing for centuries, defying time and neglect. Peeling paint, broken windows, cracked walls, and leaking roofs told stories of years of abandonment. A single room, padlocked yet barely holding together, served as the school’s kitchen. It wasn’t just a building in disrepair—it was a place where hope had been trying to survive against odds that no school should ever face.
And yet, amidst that dilapidation, there was resilience.
The school’s Principal, Mr. Pandurang Shirke, and Teacher, Ms. Charushila Mahajan, greeted us with smiles that outshone the surroundings. Their spirit was unbroken. Despite the rain, despite the isolation, despite the crumbling structure—they continued to teach, to inspire, and to keep the flame of education alive in this forgotten corner of Murbad.
Their dedication, quietly heroic, set the tone for the day.
The Celebration
The villagers, students, and teachers had gathered in the school ground, joined by Team Lakshya Foundation—Chief Trustee Mr. Shirish Patil, Lalita Patil, Vaishali Savale, Sulakshana Suryawanshi, Anju Roy, Pravin Savale, Hitesh Thakare, and Manish Sonawane (volunteer).
This year, we were joined by three special guests—Mr. Vishal Bhalekar, one of Lakshya Foundation’s earliest well-wishers and supporters, along with his wife Pallavi and their son Aarin, who had come after hearing about our work through word-of-mouth stories of transformation.
Just before the celebration began, the rain—which had followed us the whole way—finally stopped, as if nature itself had paused to allow the moment to shine. It’s something we’ve come to experience year after year—rain subsiding when the tricolour is about to rise, as though the sky recognizes the spirit beneath it.
We began the patriotic parade through the village, carrying the tricolour, shouting slogans of “Bharat Mata ki Jai!” and “Jai Hind!” The narrow lanes echoed with the sounds of pride and unity. Villagers joined in, children ran barefoot beside us, waving handmade flags and smiling ear to ear.
Back in the school ground, the National Flag was hoisted high. The National Anthem followed—sung with pride and emotion by every throat present. Students sang patriotic songs, performed dances, and gave short speeches, their voices steady despite the faint drizzle.
Messages and Motivation
Principal Pandurang Shirke spoke first, highlighting the significance of the day and the importance of perseverance in education, especially for the children of remote areas like Lavhali. His words reflected his deep commitment—not just as an educator, but as a custodian of hope.
Then Chief Trustee Mr. Shirish Patil addressed the gathering. Standing before a community he had just met yet instantly connected with, he reminded everyone that education is the truest form of freedom, one that liberates generations from poverty, ignorance, and dependency. He spoke of India’s journey—from struggle to sovereignty—and how that same determination must now drive these villages toward self-reliance through education.
His words, honest and powerful, moved the villagers and teachers alike. Many nodded silently, some with moist eyes, as if realizing that freedom was not just about the nation’s history—it was about their children’s future.
Gifts of Learning and Togetherness
Lakshya Foundation gifted books and toys to the students—symbols of joy and learning. The children accepted them with shy smiles and bright eyes, clutching their new treasures like promises of a better tomorrow.
Afterward, the entire community gathered for a freshly prepared breakfast, cooked by the villagers with ingredients brought by the Foundation. Meals in such moments always feel different—they carry a warmth that comes not from the food itself but from the togetherness that accompanies it.
Conversations flowed easily, laughter filled the air, and even the grey clouds seemed to lighten their hue.
Reflection and Commitment
As the team prepared to leave, the haunting image of the school building lingered. The cracks in its walls mirrored the cracks in our education system—but within those cracks, light still found a way to enter.
The visit left us inspired and restless at the same time—inspired by the resilience of teachers like Shirke Sir and Mahajan Madam, and restless to do more, to ensure that no child has to study in such conditions again.
We left Lavhali (Masle Belpada) that day with muddy shoes but renewed determination in our hearts. This school, this village—will not be forgotten. It has now become part of our mission map, etched deeply in both our plans and our purpose.
The essence of the day:
Freedom finds its truest meaning not in grand cities, but in small villages where a teacher still lights a lamp in a dark classroom—and a child still dares to dream.
