A New Path
Nineteen-year-old Mukesh was born into an 'untouchable' community in impoverished rural India. Now he documents corruption in his region's school system in an effort to transform his community for the better.
Mukesh's childhood was marked by discrimination due to his status as a dalit, a member of India's 'untouchable' caste. But an opportunity to attend a nonprofit private school led him to find his voice as a journalist. In rural schools, corruption is rife: teachers take bribes, appear drunk in the classroom, and claim students' stipends. After Mukesh reported these concerns at one school, the principal was transferred, and bribes stopped. "It's quite fascinating that this boy has been able to make so much of a difference", says Indira, a colleague at the community news service that employs Mukesh.
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