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mosaic—winter 2020
Building a Brighter Future E D U C AT I O N E M P O W E R S RURAL CHILDREN IN INDIA by Suraj Komaravalli
I
ndia’s economic growth and contribution have been noticed around the world. News headlines recognize its information technology successes, space and missile initiatives, and the growth of its educational institutions and businesses, to name a few. However, there are two sides to every coin: while economic growth takes centre stage, the poorest of the poor continue to live in India – especially in rural areas. According to a 2011 census in India, the number of children living outside of urban centres is high. A survey of more than 470 million children under 18 years of age found that about 74 percent were living in rural settings. Children from impoverished families that rely on subsistence farming face various risks: discrimination based on caste, limited access to education, poor health and sanitation, malnutrition, disease, child labour, sexual abuse and exploitation.
