Boy, 9, Starts Free School Under a Tree—7,000 Students Later

At nine years old, Babar Ali asked a question that would change thousands of lives: "If I teach you, would you like to study?"

The children working in the fields and collecting waste near his home in Murshidabad, West Bengal, answered instantly. Yes.

In 2002, Babar brought a broken piece of chalk, an old board, and unwavering determination to a guava tree in front of his family's one-room house. He named his initiative Anand Siksha Niketan, and eight students showed up to his first evening class.

The obstacles were relentless. Classes ended at sunset because there was no electricity. Rain cancelled lessons entirely. A terracotta tile served as the blackboard, and notebooks were made from recycled paper.

Babar collected discarded chalk stubs from his own school. When his teachers discovered why, they gifted him an entire box.

But the hardest challenge wasn't supplies. Many parents, struggling to survive, saw no value in education. Babar spent hours going door to door, convincing families that schooling could offer their children a better future.

Despite being the same age as many of his students, Babar displayed wisdom far beyond his years. He used his pocket money to buy toffees, encouraging younger children to attend.

The Ripple Effect

That tiny school under a guava tree grew into a full-fledged educational institution providing free classes to underprivileged children. Several students from Babar's first batch returned after completing their own education to serve as volunteer teachers, carrying forward the mission that began in their childhood.

Today, Ananda Shiksha Niketan has educated more than 7,000 students over two decades. The BBC recognized Babar as the world's youngest headmaster when he was just 16 years old.

His inspiring journey has taken him to prestigious platforms across India. He delivered lectures at Santiniketan at the invitation of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen and appeared on Aamir Khan's acclaimed show Satyamev Jayate. His story now appears in textbooks published by NCERT and the Karnataka government, inspiring students nationwide.

Babar has completed a Master's degree in English Literature and is pursuing higher studies in History. Deeply influenced by Swami Vivekananda's teachings, he remains committed to education as the most powerful tool for social transformation.

From a child carrying discarded chalk to a globally recognized education activist, Babar proved that the brightest revolutions sometimes begin under a tree with an unwavering belief in the power of learning.