Teaching to say ‘I can’

Two hours a week to make a lifetime of difference. On that promise, Times of India launched a national-level initiative, Teach India , to phenomenal response last year. The idea was to be the link between individuals and NGOs to give unprivileged India an extra push towards literacy and self-esteem.

Within days, Teach India took on the momentum of a movement and applications poured in from all corners of the country, from busy professionals and the retired, from housewives to college students. We received over 1 lakh applications from people of all walks of life who came with the desire to contribute. A total of 83,000 zealous men and women were brought into partnership with NGOs. Every week, these ‘teachers’ rolled up their sleeves and got down to the ground to share two hours a week with children.

In the event, hundreds of heart-warming and enriching stories unfolded. From the retired army officer to the first-generation learner eager to teach her parents, India took to the blackboard and went back, as it were, to the basics.

Indeed, they were there to teach the basics. But more importantly, the little ones were taught to believe in achievement. To believe their tomorrow can be better, to believe in themselves, to understand that they matter. Simply, in a hundred little ways, the little ones were taught to say, “I can.”

Teach India was a salute as well to the undeterred hardy spirit of citizens who came out in droves to extend a helping hand to a cause dear to all Indians. This year, we bring you Teach India again. In the month-long drive, we invite individuals to heed their yearning to ‘do something’ and march towards making the blue billion sparkle.

Come, be part of the mission again.