Photo exhibition to raise funds for marginalised

VADODARA: The 65-year old scion of the erstwhile princely state of Devgadh Baria Urvashi Devi Baria will hold a photography exhibition of her works to raise funds for education of tribal children.
Baria runs education institutes for tribal children at Ratanmahal.
On a plateau situated 2,300 feet above sea level, Baria runs a boarding school for the tribal children in the forests of Ratanmahal.The school, which began in 1997 under a tree, today caters to over 160 children of the Bhil tribe living in the forest. The children receive free education along with food and boarding facility.
"The lack of transportation facilities and poor economic background prevented the students from coming to the school. By offering them free boarding and food, we were able to educate more children," said Baria.
Baria said she owes her love for photography to the beauty in nature. "The blooming flowers and plants in my vicinity are my biggest inspiration. I wanted to capture nature at its best. I observed that people prefer photographs of flowers to rural landscapes and hence have tried to exhibit the beauty of flowers," said Baria.
The proceeds of Baria's three-day exhibition that begins on Friday at Aakriti Gallery in Kirti Mandir will be utilized through her Vibhas Trust. The trust works towards the development of Devgarh Baria.
"Students studying in class nine and ten are not aided by the government. Through the exhibition I am trying to raise funds for helping these children," said Baria. A princess and a former state environment and tourism minister, Baria is also credited with building a shelter that houses over 200 abandoned donkeys.