Chapter 38: The First Village

Sam sat at his desk, a detailed map of the region spread out before him. He tapped a pencil against his chin, deep in thought. His plan to establish schools in underprivileged areas was taking shape, but the next step was crucial: selecting the right villages to start with.

He began by making a list of potential villages, each one marked with a small red dot on the map. He looked for places where the need for education was dire, where children had little to no access to schooling. After hours of research and cross-referencing various sources, he had a comprehensive list.

"Alright," he muttered to himself, "time to shortlist."

Using the criteria of proximity to his current location, Sam narrowed the list down to a few villages. He needed to start somewhere close, a place he could easily reach and manage. His finger hovered over one village in particular, a place called "Khalapur."

"Khalapur it is," he decided, circling it on the map. The village was relatively close, and according to his research, it had a large number of children who had never attended school.

With the decision made, Sam began packing his bag. He filled it with essentials: notebooks, pens, a camera for documenting the visit, and a few gifts for the villagers. He also packed some basic supplies he thought might be useful for the journey.

The next morning, Sam set off early, the sun just beginning to rise. The drive to Khalapur was smooth, and as he approached the village, he felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. This was the first step in a long journey.

Upon arriving, he parked his car at the village entrance and was greeted by curious stares. The villagers watched him with a mix of curiosity and wariness. Sam smiled and waved, trying to appear as friendly as possible.

He asked a passerby for directions to the Sarpanch's house. The elderly man pointed him in the right direction, and Sam thanked him before making his way through the narrow, dusty streets of Khalapur.

The Sarpanch's house was modest but well-kept, a sign of his respected position in the community. Sam knocked on the door and waited. A moment later, the door opened, revealing a middle-aged man with kind eyes and a weathered face.

"Namaste, sir. My name is Sam Walker. I'm here to discuss a project that could benefit your village," Sam said, extending his hand.

The Sarpanch shook his hand and invited him inside. "Namaste, Sam. I am Raghav. Please, have a seat. What brings you to Khalapur?"

Sam took a deep breath and began explaining his plan. He spoke about his vision to build schools in underprivileged areas, providing free education to children who otherwise had no access to learning.

Raghav listened intently, nodding occasionally. When Sam finished, the Sarpanch leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "It's a noble idea, Sam, but there are many challenges you might not be aware of."

Sam leaned forward, eager to understand. "What kind of challenges?"

Raghav sighed. "Our people barely manage to survive by working hard day and night. Farming, labor, and small trades are all they have. If they need to take out time to study, they would die of exhaustion. Also, the infrastructure required to set up a school is significant, and we lack the resources. Even if we had a school, convincing parents to send their children instead of having them help at home or in the fields would be difficult."

Sam nodded, taking in the Sarpanch's words. "I understand, Raghav ji. These are valid concerns. But I believe there are solutions."

Raghav raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"

"First, I can provide food for the village. I have resources that can ensure no one here will starve. If people don't have to worry about their next meal, they can afford to focus on education. As for the infrastructure, we can start small. We can use open spaces, community centers, or any available area as temporary classrooms. Desks, chairs, and teaching materials can be arranged. And regarding the parents, we can hold community meetings to explain the long-term benefits of education. It will help break the cycle of poverty and ensure a better future for their children."

Raghav listened carefully, the skepticism in his eyes gradually replaced by a glimmer of hope. "It's an ambitious plan, Sam. But if you can truly provide food and handle the initial setup, we might have a chance."

Sam smiled, relieved. "I promise you, I will. Let's work together to make this happen."

They spent the rest of the afternoon discussing the details, planning how to implement the project step by step. Raghav agreed to help rally the community, and Sam assured him that he would start providing supplies immediately.

As the sun began to set, Sam felt a sense of accomplishment. This was the first step towards his dream. As he prepared to leave, a sudden flash from the map in his bag caught his attention.

He pulled it out and saw a new set of information glowing on its surface.

Hidden Mission Completed: Successfully Establish an Institution for Learning

Beneath the message, a list of rewards appeared:

Vaastu Shastra

Gu Cultivation Inheritance

Puppet Creation & Manipulation Inheritance

Hawan Guru Inheritance

Bhavishvyaani Guru Inheritance

Sam stared at the options, a sense of awe and curiosity washing over him. He knew he had to choose one, but the significance of each option was still a mystery.

"Pushp, what do these inheritances mean?" he asked, hoping for some guidance.

But there was no immediate response. Sam knew he would have to research and understand these options before making a decision. He felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension as he realized the importance of his next choice.

To Be Continued...