Post News Network
Kankadahada, Feb 17: At an age when studies on text books have given way to ‘paperless studies’ on computers, a
family in Bhejia village under the block in Dhenkanal district has preserved a writing tablet of clay slate for the past 190 years and uses it for studies of its successors.
The 190-year-old slate is fixed in a wooden frame and is of 15 inch length, 12 inch width and weighs 800 grams. It has not lost its lustre and has stood the test of time even though it has developed a slight crack in the middle.
The slate has been handed down from generation to generation by Bhaktashri Chandan Dehuri, who uses it to initiate their children into the learning process and for their primary studies.
The slate was in much demand during the royal regime and British era when rulers used it for tax collection and maintaining accounts.
Sources said the Britishers gifted a slate and chalk stick to Bhaktashri in 1824 to collect tax from the residents and to maintain the accounts. Bhaktashiri preserved the slate and handed it down to his successors and has been kept intact till date. The slate has passed hands from Bhaktashiri to his son Krutibash Dehuri, his son Trilochan Dehuri, his son Harmohan Dehuri (75), his son Basant Dehuri (48) and to his son Karnel Dehuri (20). Now the slate has reached the hands of Basant’s nephew Saroj Dehuri, who was recently admitted to an Anganwadi centre (AWC) for learning.
“Saroj is finding the slate very comfortable and learning the alphabets with ease,” said Basant, sporting an air of pride on his unique possession.
He further said that some people are trying to influence him to donate the slate to some museum, but he has never thought of giving it away and has held it dear in his home.
Any new child born in his house is initiated into learning with this slate. Even some educationists visit him to have a look at the slate, he added.
