At Pratham, we need books like Genius. It is amazing how within a short period of 4 years we have been able to recruit, train and motivate 300 teachers just paying Rs. 300 per month, to make a difference in the life of more than 7500 children all living in the slums of Mysore.  The only disappointing part of this exciting project is that we, the trustees, have failed to get the involvement of elites, the teachers and middle class of our city.  Our budget is Rs. 48 lakhs, but most of it comes from outside! Still some money is trickling from Mysoreans.

The other day a CFTRI scienist donated Rs. 15,000 in memory of his mother. Instead of having the usual rituals, he decided to help the slum children. Our goal is to depend more on Mysoreans rather than on the donation from outsiders. For that we have decided to bring out a magazine titled "State of Education in Mysore" and go around with the begging bowl. Hope this would give us a platform to increase the involvement of Mysoreans.

Any ideas ?