Champions Of Change

Unheralded crusaders who have heeded the call of their conscience to bring about a change in the lives of others

- Raj Chengappa

“It always seems impossible until it is done.” —Nelson Mandela

Pathikrit Saha, 26, a food delivery executive in Kolkata, was boarding a local train when a seven-year-old boy tugged at his trousers, asking for money. Irritated, he slapped him. Full of remorse over what he had done, Pathikrit returned the next day, with sweets for the boy and his friends at the railway station. While his gesture made the children happy at that point, they were back to begging the next day. Determined to do something to change their lives, Pathikrit set up an informal school for children at the station. That was four years ago. Within a year, 39 of his students were enrolled in government schools, keeping them away from the platforms, and bringing hope to their families. Pathikrit’s makeshift school is now housed in a building in the neighbourhood and the number of street children coming to his classes keeps growing.