The school that Daya Nayak built

He is hesitant when we ask to see the famed computer centre in the school. It's locked and, though they tell us that classes are conducted here, it's clearly not been used recently. The computers are covered in plastic sheets and the musty odour is a dead giveaway that children have not been here for quite a long time.

As expected, Daya anna (big brother) is a hero in his village. Most villagers are aware of the charges against him in Mumbai. A local shopkeeper, whose son goes to the school, tells us: "We read in the papers about the cases against him. We really don't know if the charges against him are true. But what he has done for the village is what matters to us. Lot of parents are willing to send their children to get an education because of the school."

It's a good point. The fresh-faced smiling students in their smart sky blue uniforms are a welcome sight. And they are aware of the school's celebrity. Seeing me clicking pictures, a curious bunch walk up and ask which paper I am from and whether their pictures will appear the next day.

Another local tells us that Daya Nayak was undecided on whether to build a temple or a school and that it was the pressure from parents that made Nayak decide on the latter.

Image: A small tiled house that Daya Nayak grew up in points to his humble beginnings