Cuttack, Sept 5: A traditional village classroom that once echoed with the voices of dozens of children has now been reduced to a goat shed, while the centenarian teacher who educated generations is living under someone else’s roof.

The poignant story of 100-year-old Malati Das, a resident of Jatiparilo village under Mahanaga block in Cuttack district, has brought renewed attention to the fading tradition of village chatashalis and the plight of elderly teachers.

Around five decades ago, Malati Das and her late husband, Bhikari Das, started a traditional chatashali in their village. Bhikari was popularly known as ‘Bada Sir’, while Malati was affectionately called ‘Sana Sir’.

Children from Jatiparilo as well as neighbouring villages came to their humble classroom to learn. At one point, more than 50 students studied there at the same time.

The couple taught students subjects ranging from multiplication tables and literature to the Bhagavad Gita and Bhagabata. There was no fixed tuition fee. Some families paid ₹2 or ₹5, while others contributed rice, clothes or blankets according to their ability.

Many of those children have since grown up to become teachers, engineers and professionals working in different institutions.

However, the woman who played an important role in shaping their early education is now facing a difficult old age.

After the death of her husband a few years ago, Malati has been living in a neighbour’s house as she no longer has a home of her own. The thatched house where she once lived with her husband has collapsed due to years of neglect.

Even more painfully, the old chatashali where hundreds of children once studied is now being used as a shelter for goats.

Yet, the respect for Malati Guruma has not faded. Her old teaching stick, or bet, is still worshipped in the family’s prayer room. Even today, families from nearby areas bring young children to her for ‘Khadi Chhua’, a traditional initiation into writing.

Ahead of Teachers’ Day on September 5, former students and local residents continue to remember and honour their beloved teacher. But many are saddened by her present living conditions.

Local resident Nabakishore Behera has urged the government or former students to come forward and build a house for Malati. He also suggested creating a memorial to preserve the memory of the traditional guru-shishya tradition associated with the village chatashali.

Another resident, Rabindra Kumar Jena, recalled that education in his family began at the same chatashali. “My father, I and my children all began our educational journey from this chatashali,” he said, appealing to the government to take steps to provide a home for Malati Guruma.

The story of Malati Das is a reminder of a generation of teachers who imparted education with little expectation of financial reward. While many of their students went on to build successful careers, the teacher who helped shape their first steps in education now needs a home of her own.