Bhima Chettri and Puja Kachu were victims of child labour not too
long ago. Today, the two youngsters are representing Bengal in hockey
with Bhima even captaining the state's Under-14 girls' team.
Bhima, a resident of Rimbick in Darjeeling subdivision, was seven
when she had been sent to Kalimpong, about 100km away, where she had to
help a family in domestic chores. "I was told that I would be sent to
school but that never happened," said Bhima.
Puja, from Mainaguri in the Dooars, too, was sent to Kalimpong to
work as a domestic help at about the same age as Bhima. Puja's story was
just similar: "I, too, was told that I would be sent to school but the
family didn't keep the word."
Life was difficult for the two until help came in 2012.
Sister Subeshna Thapa, director of Bal Suraksha Abhiyan Trust, which
is based in Kalimpong, and her team that has been fighting child labour
since 2006 managed to bring a ray of hope in the lives of the little
girls.
"We want the society to know their stories so that everyone can learn
a lesson. In 2012, we approached the family where Bhima was being kept
and convinced them that what they were doing was not right. The family
agreed to let Bhima go. In Puja's case, we had to conduct a raid with
the help of police and rescue her from her employer," said Sister
Subeshna.
The two girls were sheltered at the home run by the trust and sent to
St Michael's School in Darjeeling. The school changed the duo's life.
Prakash Rai, who coaches the school hockey team, said: "I must say the two girls picked a lot of hockey within a short span."
Such has been their growth rate that the two were among the six girls
selected from Darjeeling district to be part of Bengal's Under-14
hockey team.
And it was no surprise that Bhima was made the captain of the Bengal
team at the 61st National School Games, which was held at Ranchi,
Jharkhand, from January 4 to 8.
Speaking over the phone from Calcutta, Krishna Mondal, manager of the
Bengal team, said: "Yes, Bhima was the captain of the team and the two
girls were good in their category. It would be great if they could come
and stay in Calcutta and pursue hockey."
The team won two games but lost to Jharkhand in the quarter final.
Bhima, who studies in Class VIII, goes to her family once in a while.
She has parents, four sisters and five brothers. In fact, just before
she was to leave for Jharkhand, Bhima suddenly did not feel like going.
"I really thank Sister Subeshna for making me realise the opportunity
that lay before me," said Bhima.
While Bhima's family is aware of her success, Puja has never gone
home after her rescue in 2012. "We have learnt that her father is no
more and mother is untraceable. Still, we are encouraging her to visit
the family before the school reopens. She is planning to visit her
family in the Dooars this week," said Sister Subeshna.
Puja, a Class VII student, has three brothers and a sister.
Both Bhima and Puja practise about three hours at the school every
day. "When it rains, the hockey team trains in the school hall," said
Rai.
While hockey is providing a ray of hope to the young girls, the duo
have not yet thought of pursing the sport professionally. Surprisingly,
both want to join the police and for the same reason. "I want to be a
police woman so that all the evils of our society can be ended. I think
police can do much but in many cases they look the other way," said
Puja.(TT)
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