Once forced out of school in Kanpur because his family could not afford the fees, Uddeysha Sachan has gone on to found Gurukulam – School of Happiness, a free learning initiative that has transformed the lives of around 400 underprivileged children. Established in 2019, the school provides education, life skills, confidence-building opportunities and holistic development to children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Supported by parents, volunteers and well-wishers, the initiative has gained attention through social media and public interest stories. Sachan now hopes to replicate the model across India so that no child is denied opportunities because of financial hardship.
A Child Once Denied Education
For Uddeysha Sachan, education was not always guaranteed. Growing up in a modest family in Kanpur, he watched his father struggle to arrange money for school fees. When the family could no longer afford the payments, Uddeysha was removed from school.
The experience left a deep emotional impact. He witnessed both the humiliation of being excluded from education and the helplessness of his father, who desperately wanted to provide opportunities for his child. Although he eventually resumed his studies, the incident remained etched in his memory and would later shape his life’s mission.
A Pain That Became A Purpose
As he grew older, Sachan realised that countless children across India face similar barriers to education. Many drop out because of poverty, while others are pushed into work at an early age and never return to the classroom.
Determined to understand and address this problem, he pursued higher education in Philosophy and became involved in social work. Through his interactions with underserved communities, he saw how a lack of educational opportunities often limited children’s futures. These experiences strengthened his belief that education could be a powerful force for social change. Rather than pursuing a conventional career, he chose to dedicate himself to helping children who faced the same challenges he once experienced.
School Of Happiness
In 2019, at just 21 years old, Sachan founded Gurukulam – Khushiyon Wala School, or “School of Happiness”. The initiative was built on a simple but powerful idea: no child should be denied education because of a lack of money.
Unlike traditional schools that focus primarily on academic performance, Gurukulam was designed to promote overall development. Alongside formal education, the school emphasises confidence, creativity, emotional wellbeing and practical life skills. For Sachan, education is not only about passing examinations but also about preparing children to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Beyond Textbooks
Gurukulam adopts a learning approach that goes beyond rote memorisation. Students are encouraged to learn through participation, creativity and practical experiences.
Children are exposed to activities such as robotics, technology, theatre, arts, farming, communication and leadership development. The school also introduces discussions around emotional wellbeing, self-awareness, health education and life skills-subjects that are often overlooked in conventional education. By combining academics with practical learning, Gurukulam aims to help children become confident, capable and well-rounded individuals.
Growing From Five Children To Hundreds
The initiative began with just five children from nearby underserved communities. Despite limited resources, Sachan remained committed to his vision. Over time, word spread among local families. Parents who had believed quality education was beyond their reach started sending their children to the school. Volunteers joined the mission, and community support continued to grow.
Today, Gurukulam has impacted around 400 children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, many of whom come from communities where access to education remains limited and the risk of child labour persists. What began as a small effort has evolved into a source of hope for hundreds of families.
Transforming Lives Beyond The Classroom
The impact of Gurukulam extends well beyond academics. Many students arrive with low confidence, limited opportunities and uncertain futures. Through a supportive environment, they gradually develop self-belief, communication skills and aspirations for a better life.
Children who once struggled to express themselves learn to speak confidently, while others discover talents in science, technology, arts and leadership. The school’s influence often continues beyond graduation, with some former students returning as volunteers and mentors. This creates a cycle of empowerment in which beneficiaries help guide future generations.
A School Where Happiness Matters
A defining feature of Gurukulam is its emphasis on happiness and holistic development. Daily activities may include yoga, meditation, storytelling, creative exercises and practical learning experiences alongside academic lessons.
Sachan believes children should be taught not only how to succeed academically but also how to navigate life with resilience, empathy and self-awareness. This philosophy shapes the school’s culture and helps create a positive learning environment for children who may have experienced hardship.
Social Media And A Growing Vision
In recent years, Gurukulam’s story has gained widespread attention through social media and digital platforms. Videos and stories about the initiative have highlighted Sachan’s remarkable journey from a child once expelled from school because of unpaid fees to the founder of a free educational movement.
The visibility has attracted supporters, volunteers and contributors while also drawing attention to the broader issue of educational inequality in India.
Despite the progress made so far, Sachan sees Gurukulam as only the beginning. His long-term vision is to establish larger learning centres equipped with modern educational resources, skill-development programmes and technology-enabled classrooms. Ultimately, he hopes to take the Gurukulam model to cities, towns and villages across India.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Uddeysha Sachan’s story is a powerful reminder that education should be a right, not a privilege. At a time when many children continue to face barriers because of poverty and inequality, Gurukulam demonstrates how empathy, determination and community support can create meaningful change.
While systemic efforts are essential to ensure universal access to education, grassroots initiatives like this show the difference one individual can make when driven by purpose. As Gurukulam seeks to expand across India, how can communities, educators and policymakers work together to ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive?
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— uddeshya sachan (@uddeshyasachan1) August 3, 2023
