She Walks 10 km Every Day Inside Dense Forest To Teach School Kids
Source: Times of India | Image Courtesy:�Times of India
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It really does take a big heart to help shaping little minds but for Sumitra Koluru it takes more than just a big heart. Sumitra Koluru, a teacher at the Government Higher Primary School in Dhopenahatti village, Dharwad taluk a twin town of Hubbali, Karnataka, has been travelling 19 km every single day for the past 11 years to shoulder her responsibilities as a teacher.Out of the 19 km she covers each day, she walks for 10 km which also includes a dense forest area .

Since 2005, she has been exposing herself to uncertain attacks by wild animals while she travels to reach the school in the village Dhopenahatti which is located in forest area and has a population of about 400. At times, when she is encountered by animals, she hides and wait until they disappear and recently she confronted a leopard.

According to Sumitra, the village has most people as labourers and thus she want their children to get educated and change the fate of their families as she believes education is the one and only tool for upliftment .

She catches a bus to Dori and then walks the rest. The road from Dori to Dhopenahatti measures to over 5 km and 2km out of which is in good condition.

“Of the 5km stretch from Dori to Dhopenahatti, only 2km is in good condition and the rest of the road is narrow. It is slippery too. The condition is worse in the rainy season as I have to wade through water and slush,” she says to The Times of India reporters.

Whenever her husband is free, Sumitra is dropped at a distance of 2km after crossing Dori. Further, she says, “Most of the people in this village are daily-wage labourers. I want to train and educate their children.”

I’m not a teacher, I’m an awakener – Robert Frost.

She is an epitome of deepest diligence towards one’s work and a valiant example of fearlessness. We often acknowledge our teachers every year on September 5, and teachers like Sumitra encourage us to get yet another reason for celebration each year. It is due to such personalities when we are certain that future of the children of present generation is in safe hands .


The Logical Indian Community offers a big salute to Sumitra and gives her more courage and power to continue the good work and at the same time requests the Karnataka Government to look into the issue and render all possible efforts at disposal to help Sumitra travel safely and comfortably.

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Editor : The Logical Indian

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