Forced to leave their villages in search of a better life, many migrant families in Bengaluru’s slums struggle to provide education for their children. Proud Indian, an NGO founded by two engineers, is bridging this gap through innovative education initiatives and art programs, empowering children to dream beyond mere survival.
A Glimmer of Hope in the Slums
Huddled under the dim glow of a streetlight in a crowded Bengaluru slum, 12-year-old Nadia (name changed) sketched furiously on a piece of cardboard. Her family, displaced from their drought-stricken village, barely managed to make ends meet, leaving little room for school supplies—let alone art materials.
Her parents migrated from Raichur, where poor groundwater levels make farming an unreliable source of income. “They earn just Rs 200 per day in farmlands, but in Bengaluru, daily wages can go up to Rs 800-1000,” shares Chenthil Kumar, co-founder of Proud Indian.
Despite their struggles, Nadia finds solace in painting. “Recently, I tried cake-based paint and created a vibrant sky. You can see that painting on my wall,” she says proudly. But for children like her, education and artistic expression often take a backseat as survival remains the priority. “Their parents are too focused on ensuring they don’t go to bed hungry,” explains Chenthil.
The Birth of Proud Indian
Growing up in Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari, Chenthil was deeply affected by the devastation of the 2004 tsunami. Witnessing families struggle for food and shelter left a lasting impact on him. Years later, while pursuing aeronautical engineering in Bengaluru, he continued his humanitarian efforts.
In 2014, while working on relief efforts, Chenthil met Sarjun H., another passionate volunteer. The two engineers recognized a shared mission: to uplift the lives of underprivileged children through education. In 2019, they founded Proud Indian with the goal of providing quality education to children with limited access to learning opportunities.
Over the last five years, the NGO has reached thousands of children, offering them food, education, and most importantly, hope.
Introducing Community Schools
For children of migrant workers, education is often disrupted as families move from one place to another. “Most parents don’t obtain transfer certificates from their child’s previous school, which makes it difficult to enroll them in government schools,” explains Chenthil.
To bridge this gap, Proud Indian collaborates with NGOs like Gubbachi Learning Community, Samriti, and Ruva to run community schools in Bengaluru. The students are grouped based on their learning levels:
- S1: Can read a sentence
- S2: Can read a word
- S3: Can read an alphabet
“The community school acts as a bridge course and helps children pass at least Class 10,” says Jinchu Mariam Sunny from Gubbachi Learning Community. “We’ve impacted over 1,900 children so far.”
This alternative schooling model allows students to complete two subjects per year, ensuring they graduate within two to three years. Proud Indian also conducts spoken English classes on weekends, significantly improving the children’s communication skills.
Art as a Means of Expression and Empowerment
For underprivileged children, even basic education can feel like a luxury, making art seem like an unattainable dream. “I didn’t want external factors to decide who could practice art,” says Chenthil.
In 2024, he and Sarjun launched Kalakriti, a one-day art festival where children could showcase their talents. The first edition saw 280 students from various NGOs competing in dance, singing, rangoli, and painting competitions. “The stage was huge. I was so happy when we won second place,” says 14-year-old Sameer (name changed), who participated in group dance.
Beyond just an event, Kalakriti has become a launchpad for young artists. “We bring in professionals to mentor the winners, training them for a year so they can participate in larger competitions,” shares Chenthil.
Keeping Dreams Alive
With every passing year, Chenthil and Sarjun’s mission grows stronger. “We want to show that art is not just an extracurricular activity—it’s a sustainable career option,” says Chenthil. Through Proud Indian, thousands of children now have access to both education and artistic expression.
Looking ahead, the duo hopes to impact even more young lives, proving that education and creativity can pave the way for a brighter future—one brushstroke at a time.