Igniting minds in Ladakh’s cold desert

‘Happiness comes from the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, and what the world needs. We've been told time and again to keep finding the first. Our schools helped developed the second. It's time we put more thought on the third.'

My intersection of happiness lies in igniting young minds and delicately nudging them on to remaining compassionate human beings. Happy children are required in the world today and I firmly believe this happens through gradual learning that caters to education for life and not specifically towards achieving a livelihood. Young children possess what Zen calls 'beginner's mind'. They are awed with the wonder of the world, open to discovering new things.

Educating children gives me immense satisfaction and happiness. I have always believed that every child, irrespective of his or her family or financial background, deserves a chance to go to school, to read, to write, learn and grow - and in this process of learning, have lots of fun.

I was fortunate to visit Ladakh for the first time in 2005 and it created a lasting impression. I realised that beyond this breathtaking mountainous terrain that holds great appeal for many soul-searching travellers, there was another world. The Ladakhi community are a spirited, content and spiritual one. They endure drastic weather, lack of facilities and resources, erratic power cuts. But they trudge along, with dignity, conviction and smiles that can light up the darkest of hours. In 2009, I was presented with an opportunity through which I realised how eager their cherubic smiling children are to learn.

In 2011, I stayed on for over three months in the course of which I taught at two monastery schools. Moreover, I was able to visit many remote schools where children facing adversity were provided some means to education. Having taught and trained primary school children over the last decade, I recognised deficiencies and areas quickly where I could contribute. My skills lie in designing modules that aid children in a holistic manner.

'Friends of Likir' is an earnest initiative that was born in Likir, a peaceful and enchanting village that lies within the mountainous folds of Ladakh. Therefore, the name is a metaphor for acts of loving kindness, creativity, connection and compassion. It is a slow labour of dedication, love and of my humble steps towards nurturing and educating children in these isolated villages of Ladakh. Since then, Friends of Likir has joined hands with other isolated and neglected schools in the Ladakh terrain, Indo-China and Indo-Pakistan borders.

The initiative is very 'hands-on' and derives immense pleasure and pride sitting on dusty uneven floors - reading, talking, listening, exploring, sharing and learning. The initiative aspires to evoke curiosity and inquiry-based learning, evolve free thinking minds and imbibe qualities of empathy, imagination, creativity and an education of the heart.

This year, from April onwards, the initiative branches out to 15 schools in the region. With a dedicated set of volunteers, we shall be setting up libraries, recreating reading spaces, teaching, facilitating health checkups, bringing joy through recreational activities and sports, conducting art and theatre workshops, showing films and empowering existing teaching staff through innovative pedagogical methods. We aspire to gradually build an integrated network of like-minded individuals who may support this endeavour with their time, effort, skills and resources.

I am leaving in April until the rest of the year to continue work in Ladakh. I express deep gratitude to the kind-hearted people of Ahmedabad and others from all over the world who have been instrumental, providing immense support through their help, encouragement and positive energy.

We thank you for becoming a 'Friend of Likir'.