A Second Renaissance

29 Aug 2009. I was rushing through the "Discovery of India" Exhibition at the Nehru Center, Worli, Mumbai in preparation for a field trip of my 3rd grade kids to be held next week. While walking down the halls of history in the exhibition I had an epiphany -- I realized that India went through a renaissance period during the entire Independence struggle. And today there is a need for India's "second renaissance" -- a social renaissance. Please don't mistake this to be a promotion of any socialistic or communistic tendencies.


There is a dire need for all the stakeholders in the country to reflect first and then act quickly. The thoughts and minds of the majority of India's populace needs an awakening. Education, employment and health & nutrition needs immediate attention - not just by the government but through literacy, empowerment and a change in mindsets at a grassroots level. There is a need for the polity to shake off the corruption, false promises and the divisive politics and bring in fresh and new ideas as well as policies.


The statistics are alarming and the ground realities much worse. The need of the hour is to address the above issues through a change in knowledge, skills and mindsets - which can only be achieved through quality education for all. Only then after 10-20 years will we see a new renaissance bearing shape, when our children become educated citizens of tomorrow. The Independence struggle took us over 150+ years to bear fruit and our social struggle will be no different. We - the youth of today - have to sow the seeds NOW to start rewriting India's history tomorrow.


Teach For India is a cohesive movement that is enabling such a change by attracting the brightest minds and equipping them to serve under-resourced communities with the best possible education. We at TFI don't believe that we have answers to all of the country's problems, but we know that we are heralding in a permanent season of social change by focusing on children's education. We aim to make a difference - one child at a time, one concept at a time. You can stand on the sides and watch us; but you would much rather join us. Are you ready for the challenge?