(Image source from: Mumbai Teacher Shortlisted For USD 1 Million Prize})
An Indian teacher, who runs a non-profit school for the girls of sex workers in Mumbai, is in the race to win the USD 1-million Global Teacher Prize 2016. She was nominated for the prize on Wednesday.
Robin Chaurasiya is the founder of the non-profit organization ‘Kranti’ in Mumbai. She will compete with teachers from the US, UK, Japan, Nairobi, Palestine, Australia, Pakistan and Finland for the Global Teacher Prize, that is given annually by the Varkey Foundation.
30 years old Chaurasiya was born in Los Angeles. She served with the US Air Force for several years. She completed her master’s degree in gender studies and volunteered with an anti-trafficking NGO in Uganda. Ms Chaurasiya established the Kranti foundation in 2011 after coming to Mumbai.
She runs the Kranti School for the daughter of the sex workers in Mumbai's red-light area. The curriculum of the School includes, lessons in English, computers, meditation, dance therapy, theatre, travel and photography.
Ms Chaurasiya said that, "it is my hope that being on this short list will help change people's attitudes and mindsets about sex workers and their children, and what they can and cannot do." She added, "people have asked me what I'd do with the money if I win, I'd probably just split it with the other nine nominees because they're all doing such amazing work.”
While announcing the top 10 in London, renowned scientist Prof Stephen Hawking said that, "there was a teacher behind every great artist, every great philosopher, every great scientist. However difficult life can be, teachers have always been there, behind the scenes, showing us the way forward.”
Kerala-born entrepreneur Sunny Varkey, the founder of the prize, said that, "I want to congratulate Robin Chaurasiya for being selected as a top ten finalist from such a huge number of talented and dedicated teachers."
"I hope her story will inspire those looking to enter the teaching profession and also shine a powerful spotlight on the incredible work teachers do all over India and throughout the world every day," Varkey added.
"The thousands of nominations and applications we received from every corner of the planet is testimony to the achievements of teachers and the enormous impact they have on all of our lives," Varkey said.
Nandini
