“Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man.” – Swami Vivekananda
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
These are not just the quotes but the reality of education. If a person is educated, then a country is educated. It is indeed the most powerful tool.
Article 21A of the Indian Constitution presents the Right to Education for all children aged 6-14. However, many are still deprived of this.
The report by UNICEF presents horrifying data on education. As per this, in India:
Complementing this, the report by Data for India shows that as of 2023, the majority of Indians above the age of 25 were either illiterate or had been educated up to the primary level.
Social Eye Foundation has been working to bridge this educational gap with its Aadhar Shiksha Initiative. Started in 2019, the initiative is our effort to support students who are eager to study but face financial challenges.
As of now, we have been able to support over 4000 students and partner with over 100 schools.
But the question arises: is this enough?
Financial assistance may bring them to classrooms, but once inside, these children face another critical gap – the absence of structured guidance, role models, and direction.
This is when every child needs more than just a classroom; they need a mentor. Arjuna (the great warrior and one of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata) was well versed in his skills and knowledge, but he needed a direction, and that direction was given by Krishna, his Saarthi, his Mentor.
Even being a competent warrior, Arjuna was overwhelmed by doubt and confusion on the battlefield. Left to himself, Arjuna might have faltered. But with Krishna by his side, with his margdarshan (the right direction), he gained clarity, courage, and a sense of purpose. Without him, the victory would have been impossible.
Krishna didn’t fight the war in place of Arjuna; it was his guidance that provided wisdom, perspective, and the right direction.
Back to today’s situation, the children from the underprivileged community often stand at their own Kurukshetras – crossroads of choices, challenges, and confusion. Academic support equips them with tools, but they still lack mentorship. They need a vision and confidence to use the power of education meaningfully.
At the Social Eye Foundation, we see a reflection of that truth in the lives of underprivileged children. Paying their school fees opens the door to education, but what happens once they step inside? Who will guide them through the uncertainties, the choices, the struggles of growing up?
That is where our Mentor–Mentee Program comes in. The Social Eye Foundation integrated mentorship into Aadhaar Shiksha, evolving it from a financial aid program into a holistic growth initiative.
Dreams need direction. Watch how Social Eye Foundation helped Ishwar find the right path to achieve his aspirations.
While financial support was the first step of Aadhaar Shiksha, our deeper objective was always to pair each child with a mentor, someone who could be their “Krishna” through the journey of education, skill building, and personal growth.
A mentor isn’t just a sponsor. They are:
Children from disadvantaged backgrounds often lack access to people who can guide them beyond textbooks; people who can help them discover their potential, encourage them to aim higher, and connect them with opportunities. A mentor fills that gap.
Much like Krishna’s counsel was not just about winning a war but about living with dharma (purpose and righteousness), our mentors aim to inspire values, confidence, and resilience in their mentees.
We envision this program as more than informal support. Through our technology platform, each mentor–mentee pairing will be recorded, with quarterly progress updates. Mentors will track academic performance, extracurricular activities, and personal growth indicators. This not only keeps the relationship active but also ensures that every child is moving forward with the right guidance.
When a child has a mentor, they are more likely to:
By integrating mentorship into Aadhaar Shiksha, we move from just funding education to nurturing transformation. We give each child their own Krishna, a trusted guide who stands with them through life’s Kurukshetras.
And just as Arjuna’s victory was shared by both warrior and guide, the success of every child will be a shared triumph between mentee and mentor.
The true success of Aadhaar Shiksha is not in fee receipts or academic certificates alone, but in moments where transformation is visible.
The moment when a student succeeds is the moment we succeed. Similarly, like Arjuna’s victory was shared with Krishna, every victory of a child is a victory of ours – the collective effort of mentees and mentors.
The Aadhaar Shiksha Initiatives’ Mentor–Mentee program is, therefore, more than an intervention – it is a transformation. Each mentor-mentee bond formed is a promise that no child will stand at life’s crossroads alone.
Just as Arjuna needed Krishna to realize his strength, every child today deserves a guiding voice who believes in them. And when they find that voice, education moves beyond fees into a lifelong journey of empowerment.
Established in 2019, Social Eye Foundation is a non-profit initiative by MYCPE ONE, dedicated to helping underprivileged communities access education, nutrition, and skill development opportunities across India.
Our initiatives contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring: Education for Every Child, Hunger Relief, Teacher Support, Digital Access for All, and Equipping Communities with Skills.
Aadhaar Shiksha is an education-focused initiative by the Social Eye Foundation, started in 2019. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities, this scholarship helps create equal opportunities for students from low-income families.
Many students get fee support or scholarships to complete their education, but still, they face challenges. They were deprived of proper guidance, and so Social Eye Foundation, under Aadhaar Shiksha Initiative, started the Mentor-Mentee program, where each child will be paired with a mentor who guides them through the journey of education and personal growth.
Glad to know you are interested in supporting the underserved community of our country. You can be a volunteer and make a difference. Visit the link for joining: https://socialeyefoundation.com/our-volunteers/
As of now, the initiative has supported over 4,000 students and collaborated with 100+ schools across different regions.
Want to make a positive impact in your community? Volunteering is a great way to give back and help those in need.
