By Christina Kurian
Time for each one of us to rise and break the cycle of poverty by ensuring every child gets access to good education

“Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine worker can become the head of the mine, that the child of a farm worker can become president of a great nation”
– Nelson Mandela

If only we create avenues for children to get educated, there would be a noticeable change in their lives. Education is considered as an undesired luxury by most Indians living in slums, and rural villages. This is a key reason for India to remain as a third world country. But knowledge opens innumerable possibilities of coming out of poverty.
What’s ironical is India is the fifth largest economy in the world with millions of children taking shelter in the streets and calling it ‘home’!
The Indian economy or distribution of wealth in India is gravely unequal, say sociologists. The degree of inequality with respect to wealth in India is much higher than in economically advanced countries. While a small section of people in India are as better off and in some cases richer than the rich people of United States, the average and the poor of India are in a very miserable condition.

“Children are the world’s most valuable resource and it’s best hope for future”
– John F. Kennedy

India’s future is devoid of hope if children continue living on the streets of big cities. The streets of cities in India are teeming with Range Rovers, Mercedes’, Audis, BMWs, and Lamborghinis these days along with hunger-struck, sickly children. A contradictory vision solely owned by our nation.
BALANCE – is the word for change and it comes with conscious efforts of every citizen who can bring hope into the lives of children in their vicinity.
Education is a tool and a weapon. It is a tool to break away from poverty and a weapon to contain the vicious cycle of poverty from breaking out.
Supporting a child to get educated would mean, you are not only helping that child to have a better future but also safeguarding a generation from falling into the crude hands of malnourishment, maternal mortality, female foeticide, prostitution, begging, illiteracy, and gender inequity.
A life is not worth living if it’s only the matter of existence and survival. There is hope for children through education, a hope that they can wipe out the mist from their blurry lives and bring clear vision to their tomorrows.
Christina is a counsellor at El Shaddai