Towards new dawns

Amaira, perched on the lap of her mother, talks about her dream of being a police officer.

- Sarah Berry

She chooses words in Hindi and English, as per what her vocabulary permits and what she recalls, to make the sentences that express her dream the best. The effort is commendable. What catches one's attention, though, is the strong will mirrored in her mother, Ranjana's eyes: the determination to build a better life for her daughter. Amaira is a first-generation learner.

Shaheen is a mother to two children, Naaz and Shahid; both are students at CHAHAK Bindapur, a center that serves underserved and vulnerable children via initiatives based on six pillars: Early childhood education, remedial learning, digital literacy, health and nutrition, mental health and career mapping—the cradle to career approach.

According to Shaheen, Naaz's brief teaches her a lot by giving her an insight into education and pedagogy. "I remember my childhood...the things we were taught...the way we learned...with Naaz and Shahid, things are beautifully different...they learn, and they are my teachers," added Shaheen with eyes brimming with emotions and pride.