CBSE Class 12 English Indigo Notes Set F

‘Indigo’ by Louis Fischer

Introduction

The story is based on the interview taken by Louis Fischer of Mahatma Gandhi. In order to write on him he had visited him in 1942 at his ashram- Sevagram where he was told about the Indigo Movement started by Gandhi. The story revolves around the struggle of Gandhi and other prominent leaders in order to safeguard sharecroppers from the atrocities of landlords. This is an excerpt from his book “The Life of Mahatma Gandhi”. The book has been reviewed as one of the best books ever written on Gandhi.

Theme

The leadership shown by Mahatma Gandhi to secure justice for oppressed people through convincing argumentation and negotiation.

Sub-theme

Contributions made by anonymous Indians to the freedom movement.

Key Words/ Phrases

• Conflict of duties - clash of obligation or responsibility
• Seek a prop - try to find support or assistance
• Chided – Scolded
• Tenacity – Obstinacy, firmness
• Yeoman – Farmer
• Advent – Arrival
• Arable land – Fit for farming or tilling
• Irksome – troublesome
• Thugs – Hooligans, Ruffians, criminals
• Vast multitude – Huge crowd, gathering
• Summons – Command, directive (Court’s order)
• Baffled – Confused, perplexed
• Conferred – Discussed, consulted
• Upshots – Outcomes, consequences
• Desertion – To leave or neglect, departure
• Vehement - Intense, violent
• Depositions – Statements, testimony
• Protracted – Prolonged, lengthy
• Entreaty – Plea, appeal, Request
• Unlettered – Uneducated
• Adamant – Rigid, obstinate
• Deadlock – Lock jam, standstill, gridlock
• Trenches – Ditches, dugouts
• Alleviate – To ease, remove, relieve

Literary Devices

Irony: Example: When Gandhi, a prominent figure, is refused water from a tap due to his perceived social status as an “Untouchable,” it highlights the absurdity and injustice of the caste system. The irony lies in the fact that a man advocating for justice and equality is himself subjected to discrimination.
Example: The irony lies in the fact that while synthetic substitutes from Germany bring an end to indigo farming, the land remains in the clutches of British owners who demand payment for relinquishing ownership rights. The very innovation that brings hope also perpetuates exploitation.

Symbolism: Example: Indigo serves as a powerful symbol throughout the chapter. Indigo represents exploitation, oppression, and the struggle faced by the Indian peasants. It becomes a metaphor for their fight against British landlords.

Imagery: Example: Descriptions of the fertile lands of Champaran and the peasants’ plight. Fischer’s vivid descriptions transport readers to the heart of the struggle. The emaciated visitor, the gloomy days, and the synthetic blue evoke powerful mental images, the lush fields, the suffering of the sharecroppers, and the oppressive conditions they endure.

Characterization: Example: The portrayal of Rajkumar Shukla and Gandhi. Through their actions, dialogue, and interactions, we learn about their personalities, motivations, and the impact they have on each other. His determination to seek justice and his unwavering commitment to Gandhi’s cause showcase his character and resilience.

Conflict: Example: The conflict between the Indian peasants and the English landlords. The struggle for justice and freedom becomes the central conflict, driving the narrative forward.

Parallelism: Example: The parallel between the fight against British oppression and the global context of World War I. By drawing this parallel, the author emphasizes the significance of the peasants’ struggle within a broader historical context.

Lesson at a Glance

Situation of Sharecroppers in Champaran

• Large Indian states were owned by the British who forced the poor peasants to grow indigo on \( 15\% \) of their holdings and pay as rent.
• Germany developed synthetic indigo; the British landlords demanded compensation from the peasants to free them from the old agreement.
• Poor peasants were beaten, tortured for not obeying the orders of the British landlords.
• Rajkumar Shukla met Gandhi at Annual Convention of Indian National Congress at Lucknow in 1916.
• Rajkumar Shukla told Gandhi about the plight of poor peasants at the hands of British landlords and invited him to Champaran.
• Gandhi was busy but Shukla didn’t leave Gandhi and kept following him wherever he went.
• Gandhi was impressed by Shukla’s tenacity, persistence and determination.

Gandhi in Champaran

• Gandhi accompanied Shukla to Rajendra Prasad’s house, was treated like a poor yeoman, not allowed to take water from the well.
• Left for Muzaffarpur to gather more information about the case of indigo peasants.
• The lawyers briefed Gandhi and mentioned about fighting for their cause and the fee.
• Gandhi chided the lawyers for charging big fee from the poor peasants. When Gandhi asked what would be their course of action, they were clueless. Later, they realised their mistake that Gandhi being an outsider was ready to go behind the bar for the poor peasants, they decided to follow Gandhi in jail.
• Gandhi visited the Secretary of the British landlord’s association but was denied to get any information being termed as an outsider.
• He called on the British Official Commissioner of the Tirhut division; he is bullied and asked to leave the district.
• He proceeded to Motihari, the capital of Champaran, continued his investigation. Decided to meet a peasant maltreated in a nearby village. Got a notice to leave Champaran.
• He disobeyed the order and was summoned by the court. During the court trial, he called it ‘conflict of duties’ but listened to his ‘voice of conscience’.
• He received a letter from the Magistrate that the case was being dropped - civil disobedience had triumphed. A commission was set up to look into the matter. Gandhi was appointed as the lone representative from peasants’ side.
• He demanded \( 50\% \) refund to poor sharecroppers but agreed to \( 25\% \). He explained that the amount of refund was less important. More important fact was that the British had to subdue a part of their prestige with the amount.
• Peasants got \( 25\% \) refund; in due course of time their land was reverted. Indigo sharecropping completely disappeared.
• Peasants were free from fear, learned courage and realised that they had rights and defenders to protect their rights.

Champaran, a turning point in Gandhi’s political career

• After resolving the political issue, Gandhi aimed at improving the social, cultural and economic condition of poor peasants.
• Invited people to offer voluntary service as teachers, doctors, and social activists.
• His wife and son also joined him. Kasturbai taught the women about personal hygiene and cleanliness.
• The lawyers wanted CF Andrews to help in Indian freedom struggle, Gandhi vehemently refused, taught everyone a lesson of self-reliance.
• Gandhi’s foresight and political acumen was based on day-to-day problems of poor people rather than abstract ideals.

Extract Based Questions

QI. He had gone to the December 1916 annual convention of the Indian National Congress party in Lucknow. There were 2, 301 delegates and many visitors. During the proceedings, Gandhi recounted, “a peasant came up to me looking like any other peasant in India, poor and emaciated, and said, “I am Rajkumar Shukla. I am from Champaran, and I want you to come to my district!” Gandhi had never heard of the place. It was on the foothills of the towering Himalayas near the kingdom of Nepal.

(i) Who does ‘he’ refer to in the above extract?
(a) Rajkumar Shukla
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Rajendra Prasad
(d) None of the above
Answer: b) Mahatma Gandhi

(ii) What was ‘he’ doing in Lucknow?
Answer: He was attending the annual convention of the Indian National Congress Party.

(iii) In this part of the story, Gandhi recounts...
Answer: He recounts about a poor emaciated peasant who had come up to him and asked him to visit Champaran to help the sharecroppers.

(iv) Complete the given analogy: Confident: Diffident :: Emaciated:...........
Answer: Healthy & strong/ corpulent / fat / chubby

(v) Rajkumar Shukla met Gandhi in Lucknow because
(a) He was a great admirer of Mahatma Gandhi and wished to join India’s freedom struggle.
(b) He wanted Gandhi to visit Champaran to look into the problems faced by the poor peasants.
(c) He had come to attend the annual convention of the Indian National Congress Party.
(d) Both b and c.
Answer: b) He wanted Gandhi to visit Champaran to look into the problems faced by the poor peasants.

(vi) “Gandhi had never heard of the place.” What do you infer from the above statement?
Answer: It suggests that Gandhi was not familiar with the place Champaran and its location.

QII. Gandhi decided to go first to Muzaffarpur, which was enroute to Champaran, to obtain more complete information about conditions than Shukla was capable of imparting. He accordingly sent a telegram to Professor J.B. Kriplani, of the Arts College in Muzaffarpur, whom he had seen at Tagore’s Shantiniketan school. The train arrived at midnight, 15 April 1917. Kriplani was waiting at the station with a large body of students. Gandhi stayed there for two days in the home of Professor Kriplani, a teacher in the government school. “It was an extraordinary thing in those days, Gandhi commented, “for a government professor to harbour a man like me.” In smaller localities, the Indians were afraid to show sympathy for advocates of home-rule.

(i) Gandhi went to Muzaffarpur....................
Answer: to obtain more complete information about conditions than Shukla was capable of imparting.

(ii) Whom did he contact in Muzaffarpur?
Answer: Professor J.B. Kriplani.

(iii) Gandhi arrived in Champaran on:
(a) 15th April 1917
(b) Night of 15th April 1917
(c) Midnight of 15th April 1917
(d) Midnight of 15th April
Answer: c) Midnight of 15th April 1917

(iv) Gandhi commented, “It was an extraordinary thing in those days for a government professor to harbour a man like me.” Explain the phrase ‘a man like me’.
Answer: The phrase refers to an advocate of home-rule or someone working against the established British colonial authority.

(v) Find the odd one out which does not convey the same meaning as “Harbour” as used in the extract:
(a) Shield
(b) Shelter
(c) Anchorage
(d) Refuge
Answer: c) Anchorage

(vi) In smaller localities, the Indians were afraid to show sympathy for advocates of home rule because:
Answer: they feared retaliation or punishment from the British authorities for supporting those who challenged their rule.

QIII. They thought, among themselves, that Gandhi was a stranger, yet he was prepared to go to the prison for the sake of peasants; if they, on the other hand, being not only the residents of the adjoining districts but also those who claimed to serve these people, should go home, it would be shameful desertion. They accordingly went back to Gandhi and told him they were ready to follow him into jail “The battle of Champaran is won”, he exclaimed. Then he took a piece of paper and divided the group into pairs and put down the order in which each pair was to court arrest.

(i) Who are ‘They’ in the first line?
Answer: The local lawyers who were assisting Gandhi.

(ii) ‘They’ were ready to follow Gandhi into jail.’ What do you infer from this?
Answer: It shows that the lawyers were deeply moved by Gandhi's selfless commitment and decided to unite for the cause, overcoming their initial hesitation.

(iii) What do you understand by the ‘Battle of Champaran’?
Answer: It refers to the non-violent struggle led by Gandhi to secure rights and justice for the oppressed indigo sharecroppers against the British landlords.

(iv) Gandhi said, “The battle of Champaran is won.” What does he mean by this? Choose the correct option:
I) Gandhi won the trust of lawyers of Champaran and they gave him full support.
II) The lawyers realised Gandhi’s determination towards the peasants’ liberation.
III) The lawyers were reluctant about Gandhi’s plan to fight against the British.
IV) The lawyers were seeking the help of C F Andrews in India’s freedom struggle.
(a) Only I and III
(b) Both I and II
(c) Only IV
(d) I, II, and III
Answer: b) Both I and II

(v) What is being referred to as ‘shameful desertion’?
(a) Mahatma Gandhi’s arrest by the British authority.
(b) The lawyers fighting the case of poor peasants charging high fee.
(c) The lawyers’ decision to go home if Gandhi was imprisoned.
(d) Extortion of money from the poor peasants by the British landlord.
Answer: c) The lawyers’ decision to go home if Gandhi was imprisoned.

(vi) ‘Gandhi took a piece of paper and divided the group into pairs and put down the order in which each pair was to court arrest.’ What does this statement suggest about Gandhi’s style of working?
Answer: It suggests that he was highly organized, strategic, and believed in disciplined collective action.

QIV. The news of Gandhi’s advent and of the nature of his mission spread quickly through Muzaffarpur and to Champaran. Sharecroppers from Champaran began arriving on foot and by conveyance to see their champion. Muzaffarpur lawyers called on Gandhi to brief him; they frequently represented peasant groups in court; they told him about their cases and reported the size of their fee. Gandhi chided the lawyers for collecting big fee from the sharecroppers.

(i) The ‘Champion’ as used in the extract refers to:
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi.

(ii) Why did sharecroppers arrive at Muzaffarpur?
(a) To fight for their cause in the court of law.
(b) They were ardent admirer of Gandhi.
(c) The sharecroppers wanted to see Gandhi.
(d) They were taking out a protest rally against the British.
Answer: c) The sharecroppers wanted to see Gandhi.

(iii) Pick out the statement which is NOT TRUE in the context of the extract.
(a) Sharecroppers arrived at Muzaffarpur on foot and by conveyance.
(b) The lawyers met Gandhi to brief him about the case.
(c) The lawyers were representing the sharecroppers in court.
(d) Gandhi applauded the lawyers for collecting big fee.
Answer: d) Gandhi applauded the lawyers for collecting big fee.

(iv) Find a word from the extract which means same as ‘Arrival’.
Answer: Advent.

(v) Arrange the following statements in the sequence of their occurrence:
I. Sharecroppers from Champaran arrived on foot and by conveyance.
II. Gandhi chided the lawyers for collecting big fee from the sharecroppers.
III. Muzaffarpur lawyers called on Gandhi to brief him.
IV. The news of Gandhi’s advent and of the nature of his mission spread quickly.
V. The lawyers frequently represented peasant groups in court.
(a) I, II, III, V, IV
(b) III, IV, I, V, II
(c) IV, V, I, II, III
(d) IV, I, III, V, II
Answer: d) IV, I, III, V, II

(vi) Find a word from the extract which is opposite of the word, ‘Appreciated’.
Answer: Chided.

QV. Gandhi’s lawyer friends thought it would be a good idea for Andrews to stay in Champaran and help them. Andrews was willing if Gandhi agreed. But Gandhi was vehemently opposed. He said, “You think that in this unequal fight, it would be helpful if we have an Englishman on our side. This shows the weakness of our heart. The cause is just and you must rely upon yourselves to win the battle. You should not seek a prop in Mr. Andrews because he happens to be an Englishman.” “He had read our minds correctly.” Rajendra Prasad comments, “and we had no reply…….Gandhi in this way taught us a lesson in self-reliance.”

(i) How the Champaran episode was a turning point in Gandhi’s life?
(a) He taught peasants a lesson of self-reliance
(b) It was Gandhi’s final triumph
(c) It gave a spark to Civil Disobedience Movement
(d) It kickstarted Quit India Movement
Answer: a) He taught peasants a lesson of self-reliance

(ii) C F Andrews was:
(a) a social activist
(b) an English pacifist
(c) a regimental officer
(d) a British landlord
Answer: b) an English pacifist

(iii) Gandhi’s words in the above extract reflect...
Answer: his firm belief in self-reliance and his rejection of external dependency to win a just battle.

(iv) The ‘unequal fight’ here refers to:
Answer: the struggle between the poor Indian peasants and the powerful, organized British colonial machinery.

(v) Find a word from the above extract which means same as ‘Strongly’:
Answer: Vehemently.

(vi) “This shows the weakness of our heart.” What do you infer from this statement?
Answer: Gandhi is suggesting that seeking an Englishman's help implied the Indians lacked confidence in their own strength and the righteousness of their cause.

Short Answer Type Questions (40-50 words)

Q1. ‘Rajkumar Shukla was an unlettered peasant from Champaran but he was resolute to take up the cause of poor sharecroppers at the Congress convention.’ Justify this statement on the basis of your reading the chapter.
Answer: Rajkumar Shukla was an unlettered peasant from Champaran who decided to complain about the injustice done to the poor sharecroppers by the British landlords at the Congress Convention in Lucknow. Somebody asked him to meet Gandhi. He met Gandhi and invited him to Champaran to see the plight of poor peasants. He is described as being resolute because even after being told about the prior engagements of Gandhi at Cawnpore and other parts across the country, he did not quit. He continued to accompany Gandhi everywhere. Furthermore, he persistently asked Gandhi to fix a date for his visit to Champaran. Gandhi was impressed with his resolution and determination, and finally complied with his request to visit Champaran.

Q2. There are many events in the text that illustrate Gandhi's method of working. Can you identify some instances of this method and link them to his ideas of Satyagraha and non-violence?
Answer: There are many instances in the narrative that can be linked to Gandhi's idea of non-cooperation and Satyagraha. One such instance is Gandhi's refusal to obey the court order asking him to leave Champaran immediately. Besides that, Gandhi's protest against the delay of the court proceedings is also an instance of his belief in civil disobedience. Furthermore, Gandhi does not falter to plead guilty in front of the court. He accepts his guilt but presents a rational case as to what made him disobey the law. For him, truth is above everything and, thus, he decides to follow the voice of conscience and obey the "higher law of our being".

Short Questions (40-50 words)

Q1. ‘The contribution made by the ordinary people to India’s freedom movement was praiseworthy. They contributed without expecting any name and fame, just out of sheer love for their motherland.’ Do you agree with this statement. Why/ why not?
Answer:

• Ordinary people, often unsung heroes, played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence.
• They acted out of sheer love for their motherland – no desire for personal recognition or fame.
• Many faced hardships, imprisonment, and even loss of life.
• Ordinary people’s contributions fostered a sense of unity across diverse backgrounds, languages, and regions.
• Their legacy lives on, inspiring generations to stand up for justice, equality, and freedom.
• Their love for the motherland continues to resonate.

Q2. What made Gandhi exclaim, “The battle of Champaran is won”?
Answer:

• The farmers faced exploitation, inadequate compensation, and an exclusive focus on indigo farming.
• Gandhi’s exclamation marked a pivotal moment - a declaration that the struggle for justice had begun, everyone was united.
• The battle was not fought with weapons but with the unwavering resolve to uplift the downtrodden and challenge oppressive systems.
• The seeds of India’s independence movement were sown in Champaran.

Q3. C.F. Andrews was an ardent admirer and follower of Gandhi. Despite this, Gandhi was against his involvement in India’s freedom struggle. Do you agree with Gandhi’s decision?
Answer:

• He was a British citizen.
• His support would mean showing the weakness of Indians.
• Relying on an outsider to fight for their cause was contrary to Gandhi's ideals.
• Taught them a lesson of self-reliance.

Q4. ‘Since Gandhi was accompanied by Rajkumar Shukla to Rajendra Prasad’s house, he was not allowed to draw water from the well.’ What do you infer from this statement?
Answer:

• Untouchability and caste system prevailing in Bihar.
• People were poor and orthodox.
• Gandhi was treated as an untouchable since he went with Rajkumar Shukla.

Q5. What made the British realize that the Indians could challenge their might hitherto unquestioned?
Answer:

• Victory of Gandhi and farmers in Champaran episode.
• Realised their mistake that they could not rule over Indians without being questioned.
• They were not lords above law.
• The common people had rights and people to defend their rights.

Long Answer Type Questions (120-150 words)

Q1. ‘Champaran Movement was a turning point in Gandhi’s political career and made him a national hero.’ Justify this statement with reference to the story.
Answer: Champaran Movement was definitely a turning point in Gandhi’s political career and made him a national hero. The Movement which started on the plea of a poor sharecropper from Champaran, Rajkumar Shukla to get them justice from the British landlords who extorted money from them and tortured them occupied more than a year of Gandhi’s life. Gandhi introduced civil disobedience to get them \( 25\% \) refund. Gandhi began to work on their socio-economic condition. He himself said that Champaran episode did not begin as an act of defiance but as an attempt to alleviate the distress of countless poor peasants. Gandhi’s politics was intertwined with day-to-day problems of the millions. He not only fought for their rights but also taught them to be courageous and confident. The peasants saw that they had rights and defenders. He gave a clear message to British that they could not order him about in his own country. He vehemently opposed his lawyer friends who sought the support of C F Andrews in freedom struggle. Thus, taught them self-reliance. Indigo sharecropping, self-reliance and Indian independence were all bound together.

Q2. “Freedom from fear is more important than legal justice for the poor.” Do you think that the poor of India are free from fear after Independence?
Answer: In the story, ‘Indigo’, Gandhi makes it possible for the sharecroppers of Champaran to shed their fear of the British landlords. According to Gandhi, freedom from fear is the first step towards self-reliance. However, it is unfortunate that the poor of the country are not free from fear, even decades after the independence. Their actions, work, etc. are still under pressure; they are under the mercy of the bureaucratic system. Furthermore, the poor live in a constant fear of the police, who instead of taking care, often end up maltreating them. The poor farmers are becoming poorer day by day, because of globalization and the fad for the foreign products. This leaves them in the fear of further destitution. They find themselves trapped in a vicious circle from where they cannot come out unless help is granted.

Q6. Imagine yourself as Rajkumar Shukla, a poor peasant from Champaran. Write a diary entry in about 120-150 words sharing your experiences about the time spent with Gandhi in Champaran, his style of working to resolve the problem of poor sharecroppers.
Answer: April 11, 1917
Dear Diary,
Today was a day etched in my heart, a day that will echo through the ages. I, Rajkumar Shukla, a humble peasant from Champaran, had the privilege of accompanying Mahatma Gandhi on his mission to unravel the plight of our suffering brethren. Gandhiji arrived in our parched land, his presence like a monsoon breeze after a long drought. His eyes held both compassion and determination. We walked together through the indigo fields, where the sharecroppers toiled under the oppressive British system. Their sweat, their tears—etched into the soil—cried out for justice.
Gandhiji’s style of working was unlike any I had seen. He listened to the stories of the farmers. He sat with them, absorbing their pain. His pen danced across the pages of his notebook, capturing their woes. He didn’t just preach; he acted. His Satyagraha was not mere words—it was a revolution of the soul. As we met the landlords, Gandhiji demanded justice, not with anger, but with unwavering resolve. And they listened. The indigo planters trembled as what would happen to them. In court, Gandhiji stood tall, defending the rights of the sharecroppers. His legal acumen was unmatched. I watched Gandhiji transform our suffering into strength. He taught us that nonviolence was not weakness—it was our greatest weapon. His spinning wheel spun threads of hope, weaving a fabric of unity. We were no longer peasants; we were warriors of truth. Gandhiji’s footsteps echoed in my heart, and I vowed to stand by him. Champaran would rise, not in rebellion, but in Satyagraha—a force more potent than any empire. And so, I write these words, my ink infused with the spirit of Gandhi. Tomorrow, we march, not as peasants, but as champions of justice. Our voices will resonate, breaking the chains that bind us. For Champaran, for India, for humanity.
Jai Hind.

Q1. Gandhi’s elevation as a national hero was not sudden after the battle of Champaran was won. Gandhi’s journey at Champaran was not a smooth sailing rather it was filled with trials and tribulations.’ It takes perseverance and determination to fight for a noble cause. Justify the statement with reference to the chapter ‘Indigo’.
Answer:

• Gandhi’s journey in Champaran exemplified perseverance, determination, and the challenges he faced during the Champaran Satyagraha.
• The farmers faced exploitation, inadequate compensation, and an exclusive focus on indigo farming.
• Raj Kumar Shukla, an indigo cultivator, persuaded Gandhi to visit Champaran.
• Gandhi was arrested by the police on April 16, 1917, charged with creating unrest. He refused to pay the security deposit and humbly accepted the consequences.
• Despite challenges, Gandhi stayed committed. His refusal to be constrained by authority demonstrated unwavering determination.
• Gandhi admitted that he initially knew little about Champaran or indigo plantations. Yet, he persisted, driven by a sense of justice.
• The Champaran Satyagraha was the first satyagraha movement in British India.
• Transformed Gandhi into the Mahatma and marked a turning point in India’s independence struggle.
• Gandhi’s use of satyagraha as a powerful tool inspired India’s youth.

Q2. “Gandhi was not so much a rebel against the British, as he was a messiah for the down-trodden.” Explain this statement with reference to the story.
Answer:

• Champaran Satyagraha: Poor peasants subjected to oppressive conditions.
• The British landlords enforced cultivation of indigo on a portion of their land.
• Farmers received meager compensation; refusal to grow indigo led to heavy taxation. Trapped in a cycle of poverty.
• Gandhi’s visit to Champaran marked the beginning of his first satyagraha in India. He listened to the farmers, understood their plight, and resolved to fight for justice.
• Gandhi embodied compassion and empathy, immersed himself in the lives of the oppressed, understanding their pain and struggles.
• Gandhi advocated for the farmers’ rights and took practical steps to alleviate their suffering. His legal acumen and eloquence were powerful tools.
• Gandhi’s satyagraha was a nonviolent resistance. He mobilized people and stood up against the British landlords, demanding fairness.
• Gandhi transformed the peasants into warriors of truth. He empowered them to fight not with weapons, but with their collective will.

Q3. The struggle in Champaran convinced Gandhi that the curse of poverty is the root cause of exploitation by the Whites. Write an article highlighting the significance of education to eradicate social evils like poverty, and empower the poor people to fight for their cause. Take cue from the lesson ‘Indigo’.
Answer:

• The transformative ‘Power of Education’.
• Helps breaking the ‘Chains of Poverty’.
• Education equips individuals with skills and knowledge, enhancing employability.
• Accessible quality education breaks the cycle of deprivation.
• Fosters resilience and enables informed decision-making, lifting millions out of poverty.
• Education cultivates awareness about rights and social issues.
• Just as Gandhi’s struggle in Champaran highlighted the plight of indigo farmers, education empowers marginalized communities to advocate for their rights.