Republic Day Celebration at Z.P. School Varyachi Vadi
Location: Zilla Parishad Primary School, Varyachi Vadi, Taluka Ambernath
On 26th January 2018, Lakshya Foundation celebrated Republic Day with the students, teachers, and villagers of Varyachi Vadi, a remote tribal hamlet about 16 kilometers from Badlapur. The visit held special meaning—it was an invitation from two of our earliest students, Ms. Meena Vare and Mr. Chandrakant Wagh, who had once dropped out of school and re-entered education with the Foundation’s support in 2010.
A Return to Where It All Began
For Lakshya Foundation, this event symbolized a beautiful return to roots. Meena and Chandrakant were part of the Foundation’s first-ever batch of students, whose journeys had redefined what was possible when opportunity meets perseverance. Their invitation to celebrate Republic Day in their village was more than a gesture—it was a reminder of how deeply the seeds of change can take root when nurtured with care.
Responding to their invitation, Team Lakshya Foundation—including Chief Trustee Shirish Patil, Trustee Lalita Patil, Chandrakant Kadav, Vaishali Savale, Hitesh Thakare, Sachin Chotaliya, Anju Roy, and Sulakshana Surse—arrived at the Z.P. School, Varyachi Vadi. The team was joined by Mr. Ashley Pereira from Janhvi Charitable Trust (JCT), one of our earliest collaborators, and by Mrs. Indu Patil and Mrs. Suman Sapkale, the mother and maternal aunt of Chief Trustee Shirish Patil.
The Celebration
The morning began with a patriotic parade through the village, led by students waving the Tiranga with pride and chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai!”, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan!”, and “Vande Mataram!”. The villagers gradually joined in, turning the narrow village lanes into a sea of tricolour and smiles.
Among the participants was a differently-abled villager who, with a stick and a single functioning leg, walked the entire route alongside the crowd. His quiet determination embodied the day’s spirit—freedom not as a privilege, but as an act of will.
The parade culminated at the school ground, where the National Flag was hoisted. The crowd sang the National Anthem in unison, followed by speeches and songs by the students—their voices small but steady, filled with pride and promise.
A Moment to Remember: Gifts and Gratitude
After the formal ceremony, a short felicitation was held where the students received books, toys, and educational materials from the Foundation. The gifts were handed over by Shirish and Lalita Patil, Indu Patil, Suman Sapkale, and Mr. Ashley Pereira.
It was a simple gesture, but the moment carried profound warmth. The children accepted the gifts with hands that trembled slightly—not from shyness, but from genuine excitement. Their smiles lit up the schoolyard as if it were a festival. One little girl hugged her new book to her chest as though it were a treasure. Another boy, unable to contain his joy, immediately opened a box of crayons and began sketching on the ground.
For Lakshya Foundation, this was the essence of impact—not the monetary value of what was given, but the spark it created in young hearts. The gifts represented more than study aids; they were symbols of care, encouragement, and belief. And in return, the children gave back what mattered most—a sense of hope that the Foundation’s mission was truly reaching where it was meant to.
Words of Encouragement
Chief Trustee Mr. Shirish Patil addressed the gathering, praising the students, teachers, and villagers for their commitment to education. He assured them that Lakshya Foundation would continue to stand beside the community, offering guidance, support, and mentorship whenever required. His words resonated deeply among the villagers, many of whom expressed pride that their children’s generation was now walking a different, brighter path.
After the address, all attendees shared a breakfast prepared freshly by the villagers, using ingredients provided by Lakshya Foundation. It was a meal filled with laughter, gratitude, and shared purpose—proving once again that when communities and changemakers eat from the same plate, transformation feels less like charity and more like partnership.
Homecoming: Meeting Our First Batch Students Again
Following the celebration, the team visited the homes of Meena Vare and Chandrakant Wagh, who proudly welcomed them.
Mr. Chandrakant Wagh, who once struggled to complete his schooling, is now employed as a skilled electrician in a reputed company. His profession takes him across multiple states, and he has since relocated to Badlapur for work efficiency. Yet, on this day, he was home—not for formality, but for sentiment—because Lakshya Foundation and his mentor, Shirish Sir, were visiting his childhood school.
Ms. Meena Vare’s journey continues to be an inspiration across the tribal belt. Once forced to discontinue her studies after Grade 9 due to financial constraints, she found her way back to education through Lakshya Foundation’s 2010 awareness camp in Lavhali. Supported and mentored by the Foundation, Meena completed her 10th standard, pursued higher education, and eventually earned her M.A. degree.
Today, she is preparing for competitive examinations and actively motivating other girls in her community to complete their education. Her younger brother Sunil, once a dropout, has also returned to school under her guidance and the Foundation’s support.
The Republic Day Celebration at Varyachi Vadi was more than a national event—it was a moment of reflection, continuity, and pride. The students who once needed help to dream were now leading their community, proving that true empowerment is generational.
The laughter of children holding new books, the pride in their parents’ eyes, and the sense of unity that filled the air all reflected one truth:
When education finds its way into the smallest corners, freedom gains its truest meaning.
For Lakshya Foundation, this day reaffirmed a belief that has guided every effort since its inception—that real transformation happens not overnight, but over years, one student, one school, and one village at a time.
