Transform the lives of 3200 children in Hyderabad

Talk to anyone who has been on the Jagriti Yatra and the one thing that they say about the Yatra is –
“It is a life changing experience”. I would always wonder – How can 15 days change your life
altogether? What do people go on to do after the Yatra that makes them feel that their life has
changed? While trying to find answer to these questions and the impact that the Yatra has on the
Yatris (as they are called), I came across Teach for India. The first thing that struck me was –
“WOWWWW!!!This is beautiful. Teaching for India, My India “. But what does it take to Teach for
India. Why do I have to Teach For India. In the quest for answers to these questions, I realised how
lucky I am. I have never asked for things in my life. They were always taken care of by my parents. I
had and I still have all the luxuries in the world that I have never asked for. How many people in the
country are as blessed as I am? Why do the demographics of a child’s birth define his/ her future?
Why don’t all kids in our country get an opportunity to go to school the way I did?

This curiosity led me to research more about Teach For India andI was bewildered looking at the
profiles of the people who worked with this organisation. There are people from Harvard, Oxford,
IIT’s, IIM’s and all the top notch colleges of the country and the world . The next question on my
mind was- Will I fit into such a QUALIFIED organisation?

December 19, 2014- Two days before my life changing journey was about to begin (Jagriti Yatra), I
received a call from TFI informing me that I have been accepted onto the 2015 fellowship. My
happiness had no boundaries - I was about to make mirrors into windows. But how do I break the
news to my parents? How would they react to my decision of quitting my career as a Business
Analyst with one of the leading companies of the world? They were dumbstruck when I told them
my decision about joining Teach For India. They could not fathom my passion for teaching and my
desire to bring about a change in the lives of unknown kids. After a lot of cajoling, they finally
considered my decision to Teach For India.

June 15, 2015- I have only heard about the old city of Hyderabad and it’s biryani but have never ever
in my wildest dreams imagined that destiny would bring me to one of the toughest schools in the
city of Hyderabad. Today, I am a 4th grade teacher at KARE school, Kurmaguda, a low income private
school nestled in the old city of Hyderabad. A community where violence is the surname of every kid
and the only thing that they know of is corporal punishment. How do I change this? What will it take
for me to bring about compassion and love in these kids? How do I start investing in the community
along with these kids? Teach For India is all about trying to find solutions to these questions.
I do not know of any other organisation that gives you an opportunity to work with the government,
help the fellows in other schools, and reach out to people in a community- all at the same time to
bring about a change in the system. As Gandhiji said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the
world” ,TFI gives you an opportunity to be the change. This is one such organisation where people
always discuss about how we can change the system rather than complain about it. It’s an ineffable
feeling when kids such as Rehman who did not know to read basic words such as Shopping,
Television etc. today talk about getting enrolled in colleges like Cambridge, ISB. They are always
eager to see the world, thanks to the SMART class that they are in.Today, my kids learn everything
over a projector and with unlimited access to the internet. Thanks to all my friends who believe in
me and my friendship. Period.

Two months into the fellowship – Why am I limiting myself only to my clas
with the Government of Telangana on providing electricity in co fellow’s class in a Government
public school. Working with the IAS officers on this issue made me realise the power of the
movement called Teach For India. I realised that the Government really respects and needs people
who are committed to the cause and is extremely willing to work with the fellows in all aspects to
provide an excellent education to the kids.

Four months into the fellowship- What am I doing to motivate the youth to join the fellowship?
What can I do to motivate them? My search for these answers led me to deliver speeches to the
youth of the state on behalf of the Government on Telangana. How many organisations provide such
opportunities in a time span of 4 months?

Are you thirsty to bring about a change in the system? Do you believe that education is the tool to
bring about a change in the system? Today, India is in a flux . In the next five years it will progress
from being an India 1.0 to an India 2.0. Do you want to be a part of the action? If yes, then please
Teach For India. Come , join the movement and be a part of history in the making. 

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