Under the ambitious Gramshikshan Mandir project to be executed in the remotest areas of south Gujarat, the VHP has already started two schools in one of the most educationally and economically backward areas of Narmada district.

If all goes as per the Bharatiya Jan Seva Sanshthan's plans, the inauguration of these schools recently by VHP international general secretary Pravin Togadia would be followed by 198 others by the end of 2000.

One of those present on the occasion, Arvin Brahmbhatt, explained the ``rationale'' behind the project. ``Foreign agencies may bring in Rs 100 crore, but we can counter them with just a rupee,'' he said. (The VHP has accused Christian missionaries ofreceiving funds from foreign agencies).

Besides this, there was no reference to the missionaries, who had been the focus of an alleged VHP hate campaign in December-January and who run schools in the State's backward areas.

The VHP's new project is obviously aimed at undercutting the importance the missionaries enjoy. Under the Parishad project, children between 5 and 14 years of age will be given informal education -- including generous doses of nationalism and Hindutva.

``All of you are Hindus first, castes come later,'' said Brahmbhatt while trying to convey the idea to a confused group of children and parents at Patvali village, about 150 km from Surat, on Thursday. To say the village is inaccessible is putting it mildly, but for the VHP, that's all the more better.

Togadia began his address with an invocation of the local deity, Bhathiji Maharaj. ``Why do we revere him?'', he asked, before answering: ``Because he laid down his life while protecting cows.''

Togadia continued: ``Why do we worshipthe Girnar, the Himalayas, the Shetrunjay mountains, the Ganga and the Yamuna, and trees? (It is because) we believe God is everywhere. One who believes God is everywhere is a Hindu.''

Asserting that the new ``paralleled schooling system'' would have nothing to do with government or politics, he added: ``The gramshikshan mandirs will not be allowed to be used for things other than political. You are free to vote for any political party.'' No matter that Togadia himself was accompanied by BJP Bharuch MP Mansukh Vasava.

The VHP leader claimed the schools would develop into centres of culture and organisation. ``Educated people from each village will be trained; they, in turn, will teach the children,'' Togadia said. ``Within five years no one will remain uneducated.''

He did not explain, however, how children stand to gain from the exercise and what would make them eligible for jobs later. But Togadia did say -- in the presence of mill-owners and industrialists -- that the schools would be fundedby rich families, each of whom would adopt a centre.

According to a Christian scholar, the exercise is an attempt to poison the minds of children too young to differentiate between good and bad. But he is quick to add that since missionary schools have been around for years, VHP schools would be no threat.

``Moreover,'' he added, ``despite all their commitment and free meals, missionary schools are finding it difficult to attract tribal children. So how long will the Parishad's enthusiasm last?''