In the little village of Rampur, science is practically nonexistent. There’s no science teacher, no curiosity, and certainly no logic; just a bunch of bizarre superstitions dictated by the all-powerful village Headman. Stomach aches? Pluck three grey hairs daily. Evil eye? A well-timed somersault at 4 o’clock should do the trick. This is the life in Rampur, until Jambhula comes along.
Jambhula, an eleven-year-old with a sharp mind and an insatiable curiosity, refuses to blindly accept the Headman’s nonsense. She and her best friend, Damya, navigate the strange rules of their village, often landing themselves in mischief. But Jambhula wants more — she craves answers, real explanations, and knowledge that extends beyond meaningless rituals.
And those come in the form of Miss Mala, the blue-haired science teacher sent by the Government of India. With her, science makes a grand (and much-needed) entrance into Rampur, bringing tales of Newton, Galileo, Darwin, and Aryabhatta. Jambhula is hooked. Her mind soars with the possibilities that science offers, and slowly, the village begins to change. But as expected, not everyone is happy with this newfound knowledge. The threat of backlash looms large, and Jambhula must make a daring choice — one that could change everything.
On the surface, The Village Without a Science Teacher, a children's book by Sangeeta Mulay (illustrated by Valeriya Polyanychko) is a fun, adventurous tale sprinkled with humour. But underneath, it’s a powerful metaphor for Dalit resilience. Jambhula’s relentless thirst for knowledge mirrors the struggle of Dalits who have historically been denied access to education and scientific reasoning. Her defiance against blind superstition and unjust authority reflects a deeper fight — one that many marginalized communities face in their pursuit of empowerment through knowledge.
The book finds its perfect home with Panther’s Paw Publications, a publishing house committed to amplifying Dalit voices and fostering an anti-caste consciousness. Founded by Yogesh Maitreya in 2016, Panther’s Paw has played a crucial role in translating and publishing Dalit literature, making sure these important stories reach a wider audience. By giving space to narratives like Jambhula’s, Panther’s Paw is actively dismantling caste-based barriers to knowledge.
At its heart, The Village Without a Science Teacher is a joyful celebration of curiosity and the power of knowledge. It reminds us that even in the most stifling of environments, questions — and those who dare to ask them — can change the world.
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