Five-year-old Divya Lakshman got enrolled in a school after a viral picture of her peeping into a school classroom appeared online and caused an uproar in India.
Divya who is from a slum area in the southern part of Hyderabad was caught on camera holding a bowl while peeping into a classroom at the local government school in Hyderabad.
This image was published by a local newspaper with a caption that translates in English as “hungry gaze“. This quickly caught much attention and drew various reactions as well.
Various civil rights groups and children’s rights activists all got involved, protesting that no child should be denied the right to food and schooling. The protest and outcry had such a massive impact, that Divya got signed up in school the next day.
Divya is not a hungry Orphan
Divya’s father, Mr. Lakshman, has come out to say his daughter is not an orphan. He claimed she was depicted as a hungry orphan in the viral picture. Adding that it was unfair to him and his wife who were doing everything they could to provide for their children.
Mr. Lakshman said he was saddened by the picture. He added that he and his wife, Yashoda, are both sweepers. Their meager earnings provide for the basic needs of their children.
Mr. Lakshman further claimed he was waiting for Divya to turn six before he signed her up in a government hostel where his two other daughters are enrolled. He added that he had also sent Divya elder brother to school, who is currently applying to college.
He clarified that Divya had only gone to the government school with a bowl to take advantage of the free midday meal. This is a government initiative that provides meals to children in schools. Mr. Lakshman explains that a lot of the younger children from the slum go there around lunchtime to take advantage of the free meal initiative.
Divya’s father explained he himself grew up without parents and always struggled with daily bread for his family.
I never wanted my children to have the life I had. So I made sure they all go to school.
He added the picture was more upsetting because he is also providing for his brother’s children who had passed away last year.
Appeal for government support
Mr. Lakshman admitted that regardless of everything, the viral picture did some good. He also appealed to the government to provide basic facilities such as sponsored day-care centers in the neighborhood to help with the current problems.
SU Shivram Prasad, the local school inspector, said he is optimistic the attention created by Divya’s picture will accelerate the government process in setting up one or more schools in the neighborhood.
