In the heart of Delhi, where chaos and history blend beneath the mighty walls of the Red Fort, a quiet revolution in education is unfolding. Every afternoon, the sound of laughter and recitation fills the air near the Sai Baba temple not from a regular school, but from Than Singh Ki Pathshala, a heartwarming classroom without walls.
For the past nine years, Delhi Police Head Constable Than Singh has dedicated his time and salary to teach children who once had no access to education. What started as a small effort to guide a few children has now blossomed into a vibrant community of over 100 young learners, many from nearby slums who once worked as rag pickers or roadside vendors.
“These kids deserve more than survival, they deserve dreams,” says Singh with a smile that reflects both duty and compassion.
Building this trust wasn’t easy. The parents, most from low-income backgrounds, were hesitant. “They were afraid of sending their kids away,” Singh recalls. But instead of giving up, he reached out, speaking to families every day about how education could change their children’s futures. Slowly, hearts opened and the Pathshala grew.
Now, with the help of volunteers and even rickshaw drivers who bring children from distant neighborhoods, Than Singh Ki Pathshala stands as a symbol of humanity and hope. Many of its students have joined formal schools, nine of them even became class toppers.
“People said these children would never achieve anything,” Singh says, “but they proved everyone wrong.”
For the children, this open-air classroom is not just a place to learn, it’s a place to dream. One young student proudly says, “I want to become an IPS officer, and I’ll prepare for it right here.”
Through his selfless mission, Than Singh reminds us that service isn’t only about enforcing the law it’s about uplifting lives. His story is a powerful reminder that change begins when one person dares to care.