A couple in Odisha’s Junagarh are making a significant change in the life of several students, especially those belonging to the underprivileged section of the society. Dipak Sahu and his wife, who hail from Kalahandi, are doing this by running a free library and a coaching centre.

Hailing from a poor family, Sahu was unable to pursue his education beyond matriculation even though he ensured that his wife did her graduation and then post-graduation in history after their marriage. Now, Sahu doesn’t want others to suffer the same fate as his and remain uneducated due to financial constraints.

Sahu, who is 48 years old, is a successful businessman who owns three restaurants and a catering business while his 42-year-old wife takes care of the library and coaching centre. Talking to the media he said when his business started doing well, he and his wife in 2019 decided to open a public library for youngsters preparing for competitive examinations.

The couple continue to buy books and magazines which help the children and youth immensely while appearing for competitive and entrance exams.

When the Covid-19 pandemic made school education difficult for those who did not have a smart gadget, the Sahus stepped in and on November 1, 2021, started a free coaching centre for such children who could not attend virtual classrooms. Today it has three part-time teachers imparting lessons to 105 children from primary to high school levels from morning 7 to 8 and then 4.30 to 8 in the evening.

The centre besides free tuition also provides the children books, notebooks and stationery. To avoid making the classes boring, teachers organise activities like drawing, debating, sports and painting also. Though the centre is running from their library, the Sahus plan to shift it to a new building to accommodate more children.