In a quiet village in Rajasthan, Sudarshan is a trusted name. Over the years, he has supported many children in his community with their studies, helping them overcome the same challenges he once faced. But his journey from a struggling student to a mentor has not been easy.

Back in 2016, when he was in Grade 5, Sudarshan struggled with reading and feared mathematics. Though he attended school regularly, he couldn’t grasp concepts, and his confidence suffered. But that changed when his school became part of Pratham’s Learning Camp—an intensive, activity-based remedial program in language and math.

“With Pratham’s support, I developed the habit of self-learning. This changed everything for me. It helped me succeed in my studies,” he says.

In the following years, Sudarshan became an active part of Pratham’s Children’s Club, where learning happened through group activities, peer discussions, and hands-on experiments. And by the time he reached Grade 9, Sudarshan had become a volunteer with Pratham. “I had received so much help. I wanted to give back,” he says.
When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools, Sudarshan set up a blackboard in his neighbourhood and started teaching children from nearby homes while preparing for his exams. His dedication paid off as he scored 92.17% in Grade 10 and topped the Kota division in Grade 12 with 98.20%, securing the 6th rank in Rajasthan.

Today, Sudarshan is pursuing a Basic School Teaching Certificate (BSTC). As part of his internship, he is back at his old school—this time not as a student, but as an educator. “As I train to be a teacher, I want to help others experience the same joy of learning that I found with Pratham’s support,” he says.

From sitting quietly at the back of the classroom to standing at the front with confidence, Sudarshan’s story tells us what timely support and self-belief can achieve.