Education

From walking barefoot to school to unlocking Rs 5 crore in scholarships, K Narayana Naik’s lifelong mission is changing the future of rural students in Karnataka.

In 2025, stories published by The Better India moved beyond awareness to real-world change. From supporting rescued children and survivors to enabling livelihoods, recognition, and collaboration, these moments showed how impact journalism, when rooted in trust and empathy, can influence decisions, create real solutions, and save lives.

From Pune, a man is changing the futures of students from humble backgrounds. Through The Power of One Educational Trust, he provides not just financial support, but mentorship and guidance, helping academically talented students pursue their dreams.

We look back at the past year to celebrate the changemakers who’ve transformed lives with their dedication. Here, we spotlight 10 educators from across India who have reimagined learning, inspiring young minds to dream big and break barriers beyond the classroom.

With just Rs 2 lakh and sheer ingenuity, a teacher in rural Karnataka built ‘Shiksha’ — a simple humanoid robot now helping children learn Kannada, English, and Maths across government schools.

During an experiential learning project, 13-year-old Haasini taught English at a government school and saw how children learn when classrooms feel playful, safe, and expressive. Her Children’s Day letter calls for listening to students as India shapes the future of education.

Priyatama Sharma, a librarian in Bhopal, grew up in a society where girls were considered a burden. She was sexually abused from the ages of 5 to 15. After leaving her family and starting to work, Priyatama realised the importance of education and earned a master's degree. She is speaking up to help people who endured abuse like her.

In 1965, Prof V Rajaraman launched India’s first Computer Science course at IIT Kanpur, mentoring pioneers who would go on to build the nation’s IT revolution.

Through determination and compassion, Darshna Chaudhary turned a remote Rajasthan school into a centre of hope, empowering children to dream, learn, and build brighter futures despite limited resources.

From Tonk’s AI-driven maths lessons to Pune’s smart classrooms and rural kids building robots, frontier tech is rewriting how India’s children learn. It’s not just boosting scores but building confidence, creativity, and a future full of new possibilities.