This Teacher Walks 10 Kms Every Day And Even Braves Leopards To Teach Kids In A Far Village

Every 5th Of September we celebrate our teachers who molded us and made us into the responsible adults we are today. And if you recall all your school memories, there is that one teacher always stands out.

They may not have been a favourite of the students, but no one could question their sincerity and dedication for teaching.

One such teacher is Sumitra Koluru from Hubli district in Karnataka. For the last 11 years, she has been travelling 19 kilometers every day to teach kids in a remote part of the district.

She teaches the Government Higher Primary School in Dhopenahatti village in Hubli’s twin town Dharwad.

 

Out of the 19 kilometers, she walks 10 kilometers through a dense forest where wild animals are plenty.

 

She has been doing this since 2005. On multiple occasions, she has even seen leopards in the forest. But her determination to teach, far outguns her fear of wild animals

She travels by bus to Dori village. And from there onwards she walks to the Dhopenahatti village. There is no public transport from Dori to Dhopenahatti.

 

On rainy days the route becomes slippery and dangerous. On days when her husband is free, he drops her to the village. But on most days she’s alone in her quest to teach.

“Most of the people in this village are daily-wage labourers. I want to train and educate their children”

 

What happens when she encounters a wild animal? She encountered a leopard just a few days ago. Did she get scared?

“I am scared of being attacked by wild animals. If I happen to spot an animal, I hide somewhere till the animal disappears.”

We really hope the Karnataka government does something and at least builds a road for this teacher so that she can go and teach the children of the village.

It’s the dedicated teachers like her who reinforce our hope in the education system and humanity in general.

To her – BELATED HAPPY TEACHERS DAY!

Cover Image Source

News Source – The Times Of India