With both arms paralysed, a teacher uses her feet to teach the anganwadi children

Kalaspur (Kendrapara), Odisha

Kumari Urvashi Das, describes her appointment as a teacher at the anganwadi centre at Kalaspur village in Aul block, Kendrapara district in Odisha, as a dream come true. “I managed to fulfil my long cherished dream, despite the many challenges that I have faced in life,” the 38-year-old told Gaon Connection.

The challenges have been many. Since birth, Urvashi Das has been unable to use her arms due to paralysis. But that hasn’t come in the way of her realising her dream of becoming a teacher. In 2011, she was appointed as a teacher in the government-run anganwadi centre in Kalaspur.

What is most inspiring is that Das uses the toes on her feet to do all her writing work. She gets a monthly salary of Rs 7,500 as a teacher at the anganwadi centre. She lives with her mother and brother in the village. Her father died 17 years ago.

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Teaching 30 children, between the ages of three to six years, in an anganwadi centre is a huge responsibility, more so with a disability. “But she is popular amongst her students,” Sudhir Mallick, the sarapanch of Kalaspur Gram Panchayat, told Gaon Connection.

According to Prakash Mishra, a social worker who lives in the village, “When she was appointed as a teacher twelve years ago, many parents expressed their reservation. But within a few days, she became one of the most popular teachers at the anganwadi,” Mishra told Gaon Connection.

But, it hasn’t been an easy journey for Das. “My parents and other family members encouraged me to study as did all my teachers,” Das said. It was no easy task to pass her High School Certificate examination, Intermediate in Arts and earn the Shastri degree in Hindi. She also passed her Plus Two classical music examinations from Kala Vikash Kendra at Aul. “I ran from pillar to post to get a job but my disability was an impediment till I managed to become the anganwadi teacher,” she recalled.

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Her love for teaching and the fact that she has taught so successfully for 12 years, has encouraged Urvashi Das to dream of setting other goals. “I want to open a school and training centre for disabled persons in our village,” she told Gaon Connection.

“My parents have taken care of all my needs and they always wanted to see me do something special with my life. From my childhood they have taught me how to work silently and allow success to talk,” she smiled.

“Urvashi is an educator who is setting such a good example to her children at the Anganwadi. Not just that, she is an inspiration for anyone else who has a disability. She personifies courage, hardwork and dedication,” Kalpana Dhal, Child Development Project Officer, Aul, told Gaon Connection.