Hari Lal Magri, Divine Public School, Janjgir, Chhattisgarh
A Background of the Story
Originally from Odisha, Hari Lal moved to Chhattisgarh in 2000 with a vision that extended beyond personal success—he aimed to uplift his community through education.
Starting his career as an English teacher in private schools, Hari Lal eventually earned a prestigious position at a renowned school in Bilaspur. Despite the stability and financial security, his true passion lay in a greater mission: delivering quality education to rural children who lacked access to English-medium instruction.
His life journey embodies Swami Vivekananda’s words “Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man.” Growing up in a missionary school, he understood the importance of education quite early in life. Despite many problems, his family prioritized education for him and his brother. Inspired by his struggles, Hari Lal determined to open a school in his community to make education affordable for everyone. This led to the foundation of Divine Public School in 2007.
Overcoming the Challenges
Even though Hari Lal was motivated to establish a school for the children from his locality, his journey of opening the school was not easy. Faced financial struggles, lacked infrastructure, and struggled to hire qualified teachers. Despite this, with perseverance and community support, he overcame these challenges.
“We had no resources at first. I managed everything – teachers’ salaries, furniture, and basic amenities. But we never compromised on education quality,” he shares, “Starting a school with no capital wasn’t easy,”. With limited funds, he took an ₹80,000 loan and rented a small building. Despite the challenges, he was committed to providing affordable education for rural children.
“I want my students to be good human beings first. Education should prepare them for life, not just exams,” he says. This philosophy is reflected in the school’s focus on moral education and extracurricular activities that build leadership skills. At Divine Public School, the focus is on character development, leadership, and social responsibility. He aims to nurture students who are not only academically strong but also socially aware and compassionate.
In this journey, Varthana played an important role, according to Hari Lal. He says, “Varthana’s support was a game-changer for us. They believed in our mission and helped secure funding, especially for infrastructure,” While traditional banks rejected funding, Varthana offered us crucial financial assistance.
“With Varthana’s help, I improved the school’s facilities, upgraded classrooms, and enhanced basic amenities. This support was especially vital during financial distress.” He recollects. He further added, “We didn’t have the resources for large-scale online education like bigger schools, but with Varthana’s help and our team’s dedication, we made sure no student missed out. We used mobile phones, WhatsApp, and Google Meet to continue teaching.”
Present and Future of Divine Public School
His dedication towards education, along with Varthana’s support, helped the school navigate the obstacles, keeping students engaged and continuing their education. “We serve children from underprivileged backgrounds, many of whom struggle with literacy. We provide extra support to help them catch up,” he says. At the core of Hari Lal’s mission is providing affordable education to children of farmers and laborers. His school focuses on teaching basic reading and writing, especially to students with little knowledge of English.
Continuing the mission of this school, he dreams of expanding Divine Public School by acquiring land for a new building and improving sports facilities. His goal is to create a space where every child, regardless of background, has the tools to succeed. “Our journey has just begun,” he says. “I want to build a future where education is the greatest equalizer.”
Today, Divine Public School is a symbol of hope for many families in Chhattisgarh. Known for offering quality education at affordable rates, the school continues to grow. Hari Lal is focused on improving facilities, expanding infrastructure, and adding new programs to enhance learning.
“We’re still a small school, but our impact is growing. Our buildings may not be grand, but the education we provide is unmatched,” says Hari Lal with pride.
Conclusion
The philosophy of no child can fall back on providing equal opportunities in the classroom sets them up for success. Hari Lal’s inspiring story depicts courage, struggle, and faith that knowledge can bring miracles. Thus, with this support through Varthana, Divine Public School is changing the lives of underprivileged children in the rural background who are rising, growing up, and blooming ahead.
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