Today, I went to teach children at an NGO. While teaching, a deep unease stirred within me. These children are already 10–12 years old, yet many of them still struggle to read properly in Hindi. These are the same children who live in slum areas—where they face abuse, beatings, and a life full of hardship.

This experience made me question the kind of world we live in. On one side, people live in palaces, enjoying lives of luxury, while on the other, millions are forced to live in filthy slums, deprived of even basic dignity.

We have entered the age of AI and advanced technology. We talk about justice, equality, and liberty in grand philosophical terms. But the ground reality is that millions of children still don’t even have access to basic literacy. They can’t read or write. And when a person doesn’t even know how to read, how can they ever move forward in life?

I fear for the future of these children. What will become of them without education? They will be forced to drive rickshaws, wash dishes at roadside eateries, or engage in other low-paying survival jobs—just to stay alive, not to dream.

Where does the solution lie?

I believe that if we truly want to change these children’s lives, we must first change their environment.A person’s growth isn’t only dependent on school education, but also deeply influenced by their home and surroundings.If their homes are filled with violence, abusive language, and fear, they will never be able to study in peace or grow into healthy, educated individuals.

Reading Skills Are the Key

In education, the most crucial skill is reading. I believe that if we can teach them how to read, we’ve already won 70% of the battle.Once they fall in love with books, nothing can stop them. They will begin to learn on their own, understand on their own, and build their own future.

Abraham Lincoln came from poverty. He didn’t attend any formal school, but he befriended books. Through self-study, he educated himself and eventually became a great lawyer and leader.If Lincoln could do it, then these children can too—provided we empower them with the ability to read.

Not Charity, but Empowerment

I believe not in spoon-feeding, but in empowering these children.We must make them capable of learning on their own.We must help them fall in love with books so that they no longer rely on others to guide them.

As a society, it is our responsibility not just to talk about equality, but to make sure it becomes a reality.