Stephen Hawking Announces Mumbai's Teacher For Sex Workers' Children Amongst World's 10 Best

Now in its second year, the Global Teacher Prize was set up to recognise one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession as well as to shine a spotlight on the important role teachers play in society. The prize money US $1 million is the largest prize of its kind.

Robin Chaurasiya, from Kranti School, Mumbai, has been included in the top 10 shortlist for the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2016 at globalteacherprize.org.

None other than Stephen Hawking announced this year’s finalists. The finalists are from different nations around the world.

Born and brought up in the US, Robin Chaurasiya founded and teaches at Kranti, a nonprofit that empowers marginalised girls from Mumbai’s red-light areas to become agents of social change. She holds a graduate degree in psychology and political science and a postgraduate degree in gender studies. Served in the US army, finally settled in Mumbai.

Robin’ s students, the Krantikaries (‘ Revolutionaries’ ), are aged 12-20 and include victims of trafficking and daughters of sex workers. The school is truly diverse with different ages, literacy levels, languages, ethnicities, religions, castes and abilities. With Robin’ s help, the Krantikaries develop into peer teachers and community leaders.

Showing her happiness over getting nominated for such a prestigious award, she said “I believe schools should teach young people to change the world. Today I’m proud to be an Indian supporting #KrantiSchool, which teaches marginalized girls to become agents of social change! #teachersmatter”.

The Logical Indian congratulates Robin Chaurasiya for being nominated and wishes her best of luck and hopes she wins the award. She has been an instrument of change in a place which is stigmatised and look down upon.