Watch & Learn: Young Citizens on the Road to Safer Streets
This summer, children from Literacy India’s centres across India stepped out of classrooms and onto the streets—not to play, but to observe. From railway crossings in Choma Phatak to the bustling lanes of Hyderabad and Neb Sarai, they watched traffic. They watched people. And they learnt.
🚦 What They Saw:
Students witnessed real-life traffic violations—riders without helmets, drivers jumping signals, overloaded bikes, and pedestrians at risk due to poor road discipline. From Bhatti Mines to Krishna Chowk, they observed both negligence and discipline. They saw chaos, but also cooperation. In some cases, they even stepped in—politely reminding people to wear seat belts or wait for the green signal
What They Learnt
Through visits to traffic parks, police stations, and intersections, students learnt about:
- Traffic signals, helmet safety, and zebra crossings
- First aid and CPR techniques
- Cyber safety, gender sensitivity, and civic responsibility
They also met traffic police personnel, gaining respect for their work and a deeper understanding of road management challenges. Some even wrote formal letters to authorities recommending improvements.
Why It Mattered
This“watch and learn” approach turned theory into experience. Children returned not only informed, but also inspired. They began conversations at home. They designed posters, wrote reflections, and pledged to be safety ambassadors. One childaptly said, “Traffic problems are created by us, not the police.”
Future Impact
These exercises helped develop a new kind of traffic champion—young, aware, responsible. If these 359 students carry forward what they learnt, they become 359 change agents. Multiply that by every conversation they have, and the ripple effect is enormous.
Let’s build a nation where traffic rules are followed not out of fear, but out of understanding—and where change starts from the curious eyes of a child.
“Support more such experiential learning for our children—because real learning begins when they see the world as it is.”
Ground Heroes: From Villages to Vision
Mani Krishna Bala: A Changemaker in the Shadows of Howrah
In the heart of Belgachia’s scavenger colony,Kolkata, Mani Krishna Bala, a soft-spoken yet determined man, has quietly transformed lives for over a decade. With no college degree but a heart full of conviction, he joined Literacy India in 2013. His fieldwork turned trust into action—within two months, he helped open the first centre in the area.
Mani mobilized over 1,200 direct beneficiaries and supported thousands more. He helped women become entrepreneurs, set up craft-based livelihoods, and expanded programs to new areas like Salkia, Kolkata. For him, “LITERACY INDIA BECAME MY UNIVERSITY.” As he has aced basic computer to record data. His role model, Project Director Sanghamitra Chanda, continues to inspire his everyday work.
Once dismissed, today Mani is a respected community figure. His daughter takes pride in his work. His mother called him “BHALO CHHELE”—the good boy—and rightly so.
KUNJA BIHARI KUMAR: POWERING FIELDS WITH SKILLS AND HEART
From an electrician in Tatanagar to a farming mentor in rural Bengal, Kunja Bihari Kumar has woven wires of change into the lives of many. With both technical and agricultural training under his belt, he joined Literacy India in 2019 and quickly became an asset to Literacy India at the Purulia region, West Bengal
Kunja didn’t just teach electrical skills—he encouraged girls to join, breaking gender barriers. Later, he shifted focus to agriculture, guiding farmers towards organic practices and better yield. Thanks to his efforts, migration reduced, water scarcity was solved with a deep borewell, and farmers began earning better.
His motto is simple: “NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO LEAVE HOME FOR LIVELIHOOD.” With plans to expand drip irrigation and market linkages, Kunja continues to light up both homes and hopes.
SUBHA SUTRADHAR: FROM CHHAU MASK TO CLASSROOM IMPACT
In Charida, the village known for Chhau masks, Subha Sutradhar grew up in a family of artists. But his real canvas turned out to be education. Against all odds, he became the first postgraduate from his village and found his true calling in community work through Literacy India.
As a teacher, mobilizer, and mentor, Subha opened doors to curiosity—organizing field visits, mentoring tribal girls, and turning reluctant learners into ambitious dreamers. Inspired by a cousin who tutored children for free, Subha now champions education for all, especially tribal girls.
“I USED TO THINK MY LIFE WOULD STAY INSIDE OUR MASK SHOP. TODAY, I’M HELPING CHILDREN IMAGINE A BIGGER WORLD,” he says with quiet pride.
