In the bustling heart of New Delhi, beneath the constant hum of metro trains, lies an extraordinary classroom without walls. Here, Rajesh Kumar Sharma, a former shopkeeper, has dedicated his life to educating underprivileged children who would otherwise be deprived of schooling.
Forced to abandon his own engineering studies due to financial constraints, Sharma vowed to prevent other children from facing a similar fate. In 2006, he established the “Free School Under the Bridge,” starting with just two students.
Today, this open-air school serves over 300 children from nearby slums, offering lessons in mathematics, English, Hindi, science, history, and geography. The makeshift setup includes blackboards painted on the metro’s concrete walls and minimal supplies, yet it thrives on the enthusiasm of its students and the unwavering commitment of Sharma and his team of volunteer teachers.
Operating in two shifts—morning for boys and afternoon for girls—the school not only imparts academic knowledge but also instills hope and ambition in its young learners. Sharma’s initiative underscores the profound impact one individual can have in bridging educational divides and transforming lives.
