Giving Roots and Wings :
By : Kumari Shibulal
Founder and Chairperson, Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives
www.daylifenews.in
In many parts of India, children grow up with dreams shapedand often suppressedby circumstance. Access to quality education remains out of reach for millions, not because they lack talent or drive, but simply because of where they were born or the barriers they face. Yet, when opportunity meets potential, the result is often transformationalnot just for one child, but for entire families and communities.
Over the past two decades, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with young people from underserved communities. I’ve watched as children who once studied under streetlights have gone on to intern with multinational companies. I’ve seen daughters of daily-wage workers become doctors. I’ve spoken to teenagers who once questioned whether education was even meant for them, now preparing confidently for civil service exams. These are not isolated miracles,they are the outcomes of consistent, long-term investment in young people.
The path to this transformation starts early. I believe it is vital to support children from their formative years. When a child is removed from an environment that limits them and placed in one that nurtures themwith care, structure, and access to quality learningsomething extraordinary happens. They begin to dream. Not vague, abstract dreams, but actionable goals. They build confidence. They start believing they matter.
Early intervention in education isn’t just about getting children into schools; it’s about creating an ecosystem that includes emotional support, mentorship, and life skills alongside academic rigor. I have seen that when young minds are given a safe, stimulating space to growphysically and emotionallythey thrive. Many of these children become the first in their family to not only attend school, but to pursue higher education. For them, the journey is not just educationalit is transformational.
The critical teenage years, too, require special focus. This is when students often face the harsh reality of financial limitations, social pressures, or even dropout risks. But it is also when they are most aware of their own potential and aspirations. I’ve found that mentorship during this stage can make all the difference. It’s not just financial aid that propels them forward, but the belief that someone sees value in their dreams.
Over time, I’ve witnessed a beautiful cycle of impact: when one student breaks through, they lift others with them. Many go on to become mentors themselves, guiding those who are just beginning their journey. Some return to their own communities, working to improve local schools, supporting siblings, or even influence policy. Education has this exponential effectit doesn’t stop with one child.
What makes this model powerful is its continuityfrom early childhood all the way to professional careers. Too often, support systems operate in silos, helping a child at one stage but abandoning them at the next. Real impact happens when we walk with them through the entire journey. This kind of sustained support not only changes lives but also challenges systems that have long perpetuated inequality.
We live in a time of stark disparities, but also of immense possibility. India’s demographic dividend holds great promisebut only if we invest wisely. Education is not a quick fix. It is a long-term, generational strategy. It’s not just about getting children to read or write. It’s about giving them choice, agency, and dignity. It’s about telling them: “You matter. Your dreams matter.”
As I reflect on the thousands of young people I’ve encountered, I’m reminded that talent is indeed universal, but opportunity is not. Our job,whether as educators, policy makers, philanthropists, or citizens,is to bridge that gap. Because when you give a child strong roots and wings to soar, the sky is no longer the limit,it’s just the beginning.