Childhood and Education

Childhood and Education:
Adivasis are the native residents of India. They are innately merged with nature. They are the real devotees of Nature. They respect the forces of nature. Poharya Valvi was very happy to have his seventh son, Janya i.e. Janardan. The destiny might have compelled Mr. Poharya Valvi to name the child as Janardan, because the boy was to become from Janya to Janardan Maharaj due to his service to Janata Janardan i.e. people. Janardan was born on 16th January 1924 in the poor family of Poharya Valvi at Mundalwad. Janya as he was called by his parents and siblings was very clever and curious from his early childhood. He always asked many questions to his parents and brothers about this and that. Sometimes he would ask the question which always muted others.
In those days there was the rule of British Government. So there happened to be a missionary school at Mundalwad. As Mr. Poharya Valvi had seven sons and two daughters, the economical condition of the family was very miserable. He was sent to the primary school at Mundalwad which was run by the Church and the missionaries.
Janardan did not have even the pant and shirt to wear. He used to go to the school in his traditional clothes i.e. langoti, a loin cloth. There was a hawker named Pathan used to sell clothes in villages. Janardan borrowed a pant and shirt piece from him. Thus he got his first pant and shirt in standard three. To pay this loan of Rs.4 Janardan accepted the job of grazing a goat (a nanny-goat) of his teacher. He was learning and earning at the same time. He paid his loan of Rs.4 working as shepherd for four months.