From ₹10,000 to Real Playgrounds: A Ground Story from Waliya Kheda Government School
In the rural stretches around Udaipur, Salumber and Rajsamand, there are many government schools where students carry big dreams.
Every day, after finishing their classes, they gather on playgrounds—running, practicing, and playing with full energy. For them, sports are not just activities. They are a way to grow, to compete, and to imagine a life beyond their surroundings.
But every evening, just as their rhythm builds, something stops them.
The sun sets.
And the ground falls into darkness.
At GSSS Rama, about 35 km from Udaipur, nearly 25 students practice volleyball every day. Their hard work has already taken them to the district level, and some have even reached the national stage. They have the talent, discipline, and support of their teachers.
Yet, broken and non-functional lights meant their game ended as soon as daylight faded.
In GSSS Nichli Oden, Delwara (Rajsamand), the story carries even more energy. Around 80 students actively play handball under the guidance of a PT teacher. The school has built a strong record—24 students have reached the state level, including 7 girls. The girls’ team has also won Under-17 and Under-19 district tournaments.
But even here, evenings brought everything to a halt. No matter how important the upcoming match was, practice had to stop once it got dark.
Further away, at GSSS Ovra in Salumber, nearly 88 km from Udaipur, students have developed a strong interest in basketball. Even without a PT teacher, around 15 students come together daily to practice.
Because of high daytime temperatures, evenings are the only comfortable time to play. But without proper lighting, their time on the court remained limited.
At Mahatma Gandhi Government School, Lasadiya, around 250 students are enrolled. Volleyball is widely played here on a dedicated ground with the support of a PT teacher. The school has also performed well in other sports, with 10 students in cricket and 13 in yoga reaching the state level.
Still, the lack of lighting made it difficult for students to prepare—especially when tournaments were nearby. Practicing in the dark often felt like putting in effort without being able to see clearly.
Different schools.
Different sports.
But the same challenge.
Darkness was limiting their time, their preparation, and their confidence.
Then came a change.
Through Project Khel Jyoti, with the support of Signify, and implemented by Shrusti Seva Samiti along with Newage Evolution Foundation, proper lighting facilities were installed across these school grounds.
At first, it was just light.
But slowly, it became something more.
At GSSS Rama, volleyball games no longer stop at sunset.
At Nichli Oden, handball practice now continues into the evening.
At Ovra, the basketball court stays active after daylight fades.
At Mahatma Gandhi School, students can prepare properly for tournaments without worrying about time.
Now, as evening turns into night, these playgrounds are still alive—with movement, with laughter, and with focus.
The sound of the game continues.
The practice continues.
And so do the dreams.
Because sometimes, change does not come from something big or complicated.
Sometimes, it begins with a simple step—
turning on a light,
and giving every child a little more time to move forward.