THIS teacher from Mumbai is helping her students journey from red-light to spotlight!

The best of our characteristics are highlighted when we are cornered into a situation that is unfair and ugly. The ups and downs that have been a part of Robin Chaurasiya's life, narrate a similar tale- from fighting against the taboos associated with homosexuality to empowering girls of red-light areas!

Though her family lineage has roots in Indore, Chaurasiya has worked for the underprivileged across the world and currently works in Mumbai, where she has founded a non-profit organisation- Kranti. If you want a lesson in perseverance, then keep scrolling to know more about Robin Chaurasiya!

Leader of a modern-day revolution

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After graduating in psychology, Robin Chaurasiya joined the United States Air Force where she faced numerous challenges owing to her sexual orientation. Consequently, she had to leave her ranks under the silent policy of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'. However, this experience inspired her to go into the field of teaching.

Post her volunteering experience with an anti-trafficking NGO in Uganda, Robin Chaurasiya came to Mumbai and founded Kranti. Kranti School is not-for-profit and aims at empowering girls aged between 13-23 years, including victims of trafficking and daughters of sex workers.

This school embraces and imparts lessons in diversity with students of different ages, literacy levels, languages, ethnicities, religions, castes and abilities enrolled together. It also has a formalised social justice curriculum related to key issues which affect the lives of these girls.

Behind every achiever is a great teacher

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With Chaurasiya's help, many girls have developed wings that have aided their dreams to take flight. One of her students, Shweta Katti won the United Nations Youth Courage Award and procured a full scholarship to Bard College in New York. Apart from these achievements, she was also named one of '25 women under 25' to watch by Newsweek magazine, for her efforts in breaking the social stigma associated with casteism.

Knock Knock

Robin Chaurasiya has the talent of sieving revolutionary leaders among people labelled as 'lost causes' by society. Her efforts as a teacher were rewarded when she was selected among the top 10 finalists by Varkey Foundation for the Global Prize for Teachers, in 2016. If you also wish to 'join the revolution (kranti)', then look for opportunities here.