Summary
Highlights
In Kanpur, a mountain village in Nepal, children face extreme conditions daily to reach the Shree Adarsha School. Their journey involves walking through mountains, hitchhiking on a dangerous highway, and crossing a wild river using a ramshackle ropeway called a 'tuin'. For 12-year-old Ajit, education is a means to achieve his dream of becoming a pilot and escaping the farming life.
Parents in Kanpur, like Ajit's father, who never attended school, understand that education is crucial for their children's future. Nirmala sends her four-year-old daughter Kabita on a six-kilometer journey to school daily, despite her fears, believing it's essential for her future employment and marriage prospects. Ambika, another mother, relies on her eldest son, Amit, to guide his younger siblings through the dangerous commute.
A significant obstacle for the children is the 60-meter-wide Trishuli River, especially wild during monsoon season. The only crossing available is a 'tuin', a basket suspended on two old, rusty wire cables. The villagers fear the unreliable structure, which has led to many accidents and near-drownings. Ajit's fear of the river and wild animals like jackals, monkeys, and tigers is a constant companion on his journey.
The villagers of Kanpur live in remote areas, and the dangerous river crossing is a daily worry for parents. Ajit's father, Hari, who built the 'tuin' eight years ago to overcome isolation, nearly died when his finger was crushed in the pulley. The 'tuin' has since deteriorated, with ropes loosening and a crucial third rope having torn, making the crossing even more perilous. Villagers believe a bridge will only be built after a fatality.
Children rush to cross the river, often needing multiple trips. Strict rules dictate younger children ride in the basket while older ones, like Ajit and Rabindra, push the basket along the ropes. Rabindra once fell into the river but survived due to his swimming ability. The 'tuin' is seen as a life-threatening danger, impacting students' concentration and academic performance, isolating them from their peers who live near the school.
After crossing the river, the children face another challenge: hitchhiking on the Prithvi Highway, a busy and dangerous road. School starts in minutes, leaving them to wait for a lift, often from ramshackle trucks. Today, an ambulance driver gives Ajit and his friends a ride, saving them precious time. They arrive just in time for school to start.
At Shree Adarsha School, Ajit and his friends are outsiders from the mountains. Teacher Bhawani Sharma observes that these students often have poorer results due to the daily struggle and lack of concentration. Ajit, ranking #39 in his class, struggles in subjects like science essential for his pilot dream. His social isolation at school further exacerbates his difficulties.
The journey home begins with waiting for a truck to give them a lift on the dangerous highway. Back at the river, it's a momentous occasion for students like Su-dit-sha and Amit, who, for the first time, take on the challenge of pushing the 'tuin' themselves. This 'dance on the rope' marks a transition to adulthood, a terrifying yet prideful experience that highlights the constant danger they face.
After a long and exhausting day, Ajit and his sister make the hour-long ascent back home. His mother expresses her joy and relief at their safe return but longs for a bridge to ease their children's burden. Ajit dreams of becoming a pilot, but readily admits he would trade that dream for a bridge, which would allow him to do homework and dedicate himself to his studies. The cycle of danger and hope continues, as the children prepare to face the perilous journey again tomorrow.