While many dream of changing the world, Mithun Kumar decided to start with something simpler, helping a child go to school. Today, that small dream has transformed into a mission that continues to impact the lives of underprivileged children in Amritsar.

Born into poverty and raised by parents who struggled to make ends meet, Mithun could have easily become another statistic. Instead, he chose to become a beacon of hope for children who, like him, were at risk of being denied an education.

Mithun's journey began far from classrooms and textbooks. The youngest of five siblings, he was born into a family where survival often came before education. His father worked as a rickshaw puller while his mother earned a living as a domestic helper.

Unlike many children, Mithun spent part of his childhood working in tea stalls and roadside eateries to help support his family. Yet amid the struggles, he held onto one dream.

"He was crazy about education. He forced us to send him to school," recalled his mother, Mira Devi.

Her words reflect the determination that would later define Mithun's life. Despite financial difficulties, his parents eventually enrolled him in a low-cost school, making him the only educated member of his family.

For many, getting an education would have been enough. But for Mithun, it was only the beginning. As he sat in classrooms learning, he couldn't ignore the reality around him. Many children his age were spending their days working instead of studying simply because their families could not afford to send them to school.

"I wanted to do something for them," he said.

"Every child has a right to go to school."

That belief inspired him to launch a free evening school in Nangli village, Amritsar, in 2008.

His first classroom wasn't a building. It was an open plot of land. His first batch consisted of just ten students. Sixteen years later, that humble initiative has grown into a lifeline for countless children from underprivileged backgrounds.

Running a free school requires more than passion. It requires sacrifice. To keep the school operating, Mithun works as a waiter at roadside eateries and takes on odd jobs during weddings and functions whenever additional funds are needed.

Most of his earnings go towards paying rent and supporting his students.

"I have very limited needs of my own," he said.

While others may spend their income on personal comforts, Mithun invests in notebooks, learning materials and opportunities for children who might otherwise never see the inside of a classroom.

Even today, he continues balancing work during the day and teaching in the evenings.

Many of Mithun's students come from families of migrant workers and daily wage earners. For them, education often feels out of reach.

Mithun is determined to change that. Over the years, several of his students have gone on to continue their studies, while some have even returned to help him teach future generations.

One such former student is Sonia, who now serves as a teacher at the school.

"I love teaching these students. It gives me immense satisfaction," she said.

Another student, Komal, dreams of becoming a teacher herself.

"Sir gave me a life," she said.

"If it wasn't for him, I would probably be working as a domestic helper today."

Her story is just one of many examples of how education can alter the course of a child's future.

Mithun's compassion extends far beyond teaching. His mother reveals that he often carries tools with him whenever he leaves home.

If he spots a leaking water pipe, he fixes it to prevent water wastage. For him, service is not limited to people alone, it extends to the environment and community around him.

Despite his growing impact, Mithun has never sought recognition. He continues focusing on what matters most: giving children opportunities he once fought so hard to obtain himself.

In a world that often measures success through wealth, status and fame, Mithun Kumar offers a different definition. Success, he believes, lies in lifting others.

He may not have vast resources or powerful connections, but he possesses something far more valuable, the determination to make a difference. While many know the name Mithun because of a famous Bollywood star, for the children whose lives he has transformed, Mithun Kumar is a hero in his own right.

And sometimes, the most powerful classrooms are built not with money, but with compassion.

Source / Image Credit : TheBetterIndia , The Tribune