28th ‘Pragna Pradeepa’ to benefit 100,000 underprivileged children
Many people feel that politicians are often up to no good. Western Provincial Councillor and United National Party’s (UNP) chief organizer for the Borella electorate, Jayantha De Silva is well aware of this, and is determined to change this impression.
“Only people can decide what they think of a politician. His main duty is to refrain from working against the people,” he says. To this end, Jayantha is ready with another of his mass book distribution programmes. He will distribute books for the 28th time under the programme he launched called ‘Pragna Pradeepa’ which gifts school supplies to 100,000 children from underprivileged backgrounds.
Jayantha explains it all started when he was attending Ananda College, when a particular incident sparked his desire to help. "When I was in school, a low-income school called Olcott College became a part of Ananda College. Students who couldn’t afford proper uniforms, books etc. started coming to school. Some of them would use pins in place of a buckle in their trousers. Things like this did not go down well with some of the parents, who then organised strikes. It is at this point that I felt the need to help, and started donating books and pens to them,” he says.
However, providing school supplies wasn’t always easy. In 1966, when he began ‘Pragna Pradeepa’, Jayantha faced a lot of discouragement. "People felt that, what I was doing was difficult or purposeless, but I kept going," he says. The encouragement to continue came from his father M.S. De Silva, who was also his initial donor. Says Jayantha, his last words were "Son, when you die, leave something for people to speak about, and they will have regard for you and consider you an accomplished person.”
Jayantha says that the only criteria by which he selects students is their need. His organisers give people of low-income backgrounds, a token which they can exchange for school supplies. Although the main distribution is set to be held this month, any student from a low-income family is assured of free books under this programme, any time of the year. They only need to come to Jayantha’s office in Borella. “If anyone comes to my office asking for supplies, I will call my organisers to verify that the person appealing for the supplies is actually in need. Then we give them the supplies,” he says. “I do not look at parties or, if they are from my electorate. The only thing I consider is their need.”
It’s clear that Jayantha has many thoughts to share on the situation of the low-income families he helps, particularly in his area. He feels the main issue most people face today is the cost of living. "When a person’s earnings are insufficient, it affects him mentally. His children cannot be educated, and they become isolated," he says. It is precisely this vicious cycle which he attempts to break with his programme. For him, the recognition he gets is thanks enough. "When I was at the Borella cemetery recently, a man came and worshipped me. He said that he’s an ambassador now, but he is here today because of me. It seems that he is a former student to whom I donated books many years ago. It’s moments like that which makes me feel happiest- that I have made a change in someone’s life," he says.
‘Pragna Pradeepa' will be held on June 24 at Campbell Park, Borella, when books, footwear and uniform material will be donated to 100,000 students. The Chief Guest will be the founder of the Sarvodya Shramadana Movement, Dr A.T. Ariyaratne, with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe scheduled to attend.
Jayantha De Silva can be contacted by any student or, parent of a student in need, at his office at No. 3, Bawa Place, Colombo 8.