The boy who chose to dream.

There is a very popular story that my English teacher would tell us about when I was in school, back in the day. It was a story about this little boy who wasn’t born into wealth. He was born in Rameswaram which is a small island in Tamil Nadu where he lived with his family in an ordinary house. His father didnt have a very luxurious job, he was just a boat owner and would take people from Rameswaram to Dhanushkodi, ferrying pilgrims in and out. And his mother? Well, she loved to cook. Most of her day was spent in the kitchen, cooking for her family. But it was never easy for this family.

During the Second World War, India had to suffer a lot financially. So for the family money became tighter than ever. And at that time the eight year old boy made the decision to lend a hand. Every morning before school, he would run to the railway station where bundles of newspapers were thrown from a moving train because it no longer stopped at Rameswaram. He would collect those bundles, deliver newspapers across the town, attend school, complete his homework, and wake up the next day to do it all over again. At an age when most children were worried about finishing their homework, he was already helping his family make ends meet. But despite everything, there was one thing he never stopped doing. Dreaming.

He loved learning. His teachers noticed his curiosity and encouraged him to ask questions. One science lesson about birds flying across the sky fascinated him so much that he began dreaming of working with aircraft someday. It was just a classroom lesson for everyone else, but for him, it became the beginning of a dream. Years later, when he secured admission to the Madras Institute of Technology to study aeronautical engineering, another obstacle stood in his way. His family couldn’t afford the fees. It seemed like the dream would end before it had even begun.

Until his sister quietly mortgaged her jewellery so that her younger brother could continue his education. And after graduating, the young boy dreamt of becoming an Air Force pilot. He worked hard, reached the final selection, and missed it by just one rank. Out of eight candidates, he stood ninth. It was heartbreaking, but sometimes life has different plans.

That one failure led him towards scientific research. He joined India’s space and defence programmes, played a major role in developing missiles, became known as the “Missile Man of India,” and years later, became the 11th President of India. That little newspaper boy from Rameswaram was none other than Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Looking back now, I don’t think our English teacher was trying to teach us about a President. She was trying to teach us about possibilities. She wanted us to understand that where you begin is never the place where your story has to end.

And maybe that’s why just like her, there are more people who are out there trying to give hope to people, trying their level best to make their students understand that they aren’t really alone, that them trying is enough and that just because they started from a particular place doesn’t mean they will always be in that place. These kinds of people can also be found in this one NGO called- Pehchaan The Street School.

Its an ngo that’s spreading fastly in the city of Delhi, with various collaborations with amazing organisations like:

One such opportunity came through a collaboration with Cold Brew + Pyas Cafe. Their team visited the centre and conducted a live demonstration of cold coffee and mocktail preparation, allowing more than ninety students to experience the process firsthand. The session wasn’t just about refreshments, it encouraged curiosity, participation, and the confidence to learn by observing, asking questions, and trying something new.

Learning also found a different form through a visit to Lazer Crazer Gaming & Cafe, where twelve students, accompanied by volunteers, participated in activities such as Laser Tag, PS5 gaming, VR roller coasters, and VR cricket. Alongside the excitement, the students learnt the value of teamwork, healthy competition, and working together, while the Laser Tag competition added another layer of confidence as medals were awarded to the top performers.

Another memorable experience came through an outing to The Hidden Hour — Mystery Escape Rooms. Fifteen students participated in a one-hour escape room challenge that encouraged problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. The day also included the distribution of 100 registers and 100 pen-pencil kits, along with refreshments and medals for both students and volunteers. More than just an outing, it became an experience that challenged the students to think differently, work together, and discover that some of the best lessons are learnt outside the classroom.

And seeing all of this has made me realise that maybe, if our late president- Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was alive today, he would have also had hope just like us, for a better future, for a better tomorrow because just like him, a boy who used to sell newspapers, there are other boys and girls who are one day going to lead our nation and take it to new heights.

TO learn more about Pehchaan The Street School,visit their site — https://pehchaanstreetschool.org/

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