In a world fixated on wealth, I discovered children pursuing knowledge at the Kitaab Aur Kalam Foundation—a place where education’s true power ignites humanity’s enduring hope.

Butt azhar cni
Amidst an era that often dismisses degrees in favor of vocational shortcuts, stepping into the Kitaab Aur Kalam Foundation felt like entering an oasis of forgotten promise. Here, in the heart of adversity, the light of education burns brightly. These children, hailing from the slums, dream not of fleeting riches but of purposeful futures.

Today, I listened to their innocent yet resolute voices. When I asked, “What do you want to become?”, one child’s eyes lit up as they declared, “Bohot saari padhai!” (“So much studying!”). In that simple phrase lay profound ambition. In their faces, I saw not poverty, but boundless potential.

We live in a time where education is frequently reduced to a transactional tool—where social media glorifies dropouts-turned-millionaires and whispers, “You don’t need school to earn.” Yet this narrative obscures education’s deeper purpose: to empower, enlighten, and elevate the human spirit.

In this humble corner of the city, these children embody education’s true essence. Their hunger extends beyond food—it is a craving for books, knowledge, and the chance to reshape their destinies.

Mr. Guneet Singh, the foundation’s visionary founder, understands this. He nurtures both body and soul, offering not just lessons but moments of joy—shared meals, celebrations—to foster belonging and motivate learning. Watching them relish these simple pleasures, I realized: while many of us take abundance for granted, their gratitude reveals profound resilience. In their smiles, I witnessed humanity’s enduring light—and the quiet heroes who kindle it.

In a society where survival eclipses schooling, Mr. Singh has crafted a sanctuary. Here, meals nourish the body, while education nourishes the mind. Privilege is often measured in wealth, but true privilege is access to opportunity—and these children, born into hardship, grasp it with both hands.

India needs more foundations like this and more changemakers like Mr. Singh. We must rekindle our collective faith in education—not merely as a path to employment, but as an instrument of transformation.

For when a child from the slums says, “I want to study more,” while privileged youths grow disillusioned with learning— That is hope. That is progress. That is where change begins. (Cni)