Under The Tree

*Milk, fruits, and exams.*
For many, this may sound like routine extra nutrition. But at Under The Tree, it is a lifeline. Children from underserved communities often come to us under‑nourished, and a small boost of nutrition during exam days does more than fill their stomachs — it strengthens their confidence too.

That extra glass of milk and a piece of fruit tell them something powerful: *society cares.* They feel seen, supported, and emotionally nourished.

Sharing a few moments from today’s distribution.

Every exam season brings its own kind of nervous energy to Under The Tree.  

This year, we added something new to the morning rhythm — a quiet ritual of milk and fruit.

It began simply. Many of our children arrive without a proper breakfast, their stomachs as empty as their notebooks are full of questions. So we thought: Why not give them a little extra strength before they face their exams?  

And just like that, mornings changed.

You should have seen their faces — tiny hands wrapped around warm cups of milk, eyes lighting up at the sight of fresh fruit. For them, this wasn’t just food. It was comfort. It was care. It was someone saying, “Go on, you’ve got this.”

But every good thing comes with its own adjustments.  

Two rounds of food distribution stretch the day. The children already have a two‑hour window before lunch, and now an extra fifteen minutes slip quietly into the schedule. Volunteers shuffle their timings, routines bend a little, and the day stretches just enough to feel it.

Still, that’s the thing about community work — you gain some, you lose some, and you keep going because the children gain the most.

And that makes every extra minute worth it.

A small story from our classroom that stayed with us ❤️

It’s a beautiful reminder that education is not just about marks, but about how children think and see the world.

Do take a minute to read this:

👉 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tulips-bloomimg-thar-knowledge-under-the-tree-india-fz6ic/

Here's a short LinkedIn article based on a classroom experience that made me reflect deeply on the difference between urban and rural learning realities—something we often overlook while talking about “modern education.”

It’s a simple story, but it changed how I think about teaching and students’ lived contexts.

Would love for you to read it and share your thoughts.

Here’s the link:

Teaching Python, Learning ‘Bhusa Dhona’: A Lesson Beyond the Classroom By Anup Kumar Sinha I was recently teaching a Class XII student how to download Python on her desktop—the basic setup, the small technical steps, and how to check the installed version. She was patient.

Books open. Minds focused. Hearts determined.
With exams around the corner, mentors are giving children that final nudge of knowledge and confidence.
One more push toward brighter futures.

Screens may glow, but books still light up the soul.

In a digital world where knowledge bursts at our fingertips, the simple joy of turning a crisp page remains unmatched. So when our dear friend and Under The Tree patron Anisha Verma invited us to visit Noida, our hearts were full of gratitude.

Today, a small group of Under The Tree children stepped into this beautiful space for the very first time. Welcomed warmly by Chief Librarian Ms. Misbah, they were soon transported into a universe of stories, ideas, and endless imagination.

For the next couple of hours, they wandered through books of every kind — completely absorbed, wide‑eyed, and mesmerised. For many, it was their first-ever library visit, and the experience felt nothing short of magical.

The Library is a delightful haven — a place that nurtures curiosity, calm, and quiet wonder. It offers not just books, but an environment that inspires learning, reflection, and meaningful pauses in a busy day.

Grateful to for creating and sustaining this sanctuary of knowledge, and to the team that keeps it so welcoming. Thank you for opening your doors for the Under The Tree children.

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 Shanto Mukerjee, Harveer Singh Harveer Singh, Anuradha Anand

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community,

A little update from Under The Tree…

After our Hungarian guests spent time with the children last Friday, we asked a simple follow‑up question: “What is the capital of Hungary?”

Ten children took up the challenge. They went home, searched online, watched videos, and returned the next day excited to share what they had discovered.

Seven of them wrote the correct answer — Budapest — and even added a small note about the city.

For children whose world is still very small, this was a moment of pure discovery. Your interaction sparked their curiosity, and that spark carried them all the way to a new country on the map.

Ready to give them a new weekly challenge? They’re absolutely ready to take it.

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And today brought another reason to celebrate.

We marked the birthdays of Viraaj, grandson of our mentor Satish K. Bansal ji, and Shubham, son of our patron Lt Col Saurabh Panday (Retd) — with a special lunch for all the kids.

Small moments. Big joy. Growing curiosity.

This is how learning blooms.

A Heartfelt Weekend at Under The Tree
Some days leave you smiling long after they’re over. Today was one of those days.
Our weekend open study session turned unexpectedly beautiful when we welcomed a few special visitors from Hungary. What began as a simple meet‑and‑greet blossomed into an impromptu cultural exchange—full of stories, songs, laughter, and learning.
It all started with a gentle, soul-touching address by veteran teacher Ms. Csuba Zita, who has spent over 40 years shaping young minds. She spoke about the value of education, the art of living with grace through life’s trials, and the quiet strength of discipline and perseverance.
Even though she spoke in Hungarian, the children listened with shining eyes as Ms. Dea Franko Csuba, an accomplished Yoga guru, translated her words into English, and Mr. Jyotirmoy Bose and Ms. Shoba Krishnan brought them alive in Hindi.
At first, the children were shy. But slowly, curiosity took over.
Soon questions were flying—
-How do people celebrate festivals in Hungary
-What food do they love
-What dances and songs are special there
-What is school like for Hungarian children
And then came the magic.
Hungarian songs filled the space, joined by Ms. Bobe Balogh, and suddenly the atmosphere was electric. On request, our guests sang their national anthem, and without missing a beat, our children responded with Jana Gana Mana—two cultures, one shared spirit.
A globe appeared, tiny fingers traced the distance to Hungary, and time simply slipped away.
Just as we were wrapping up, a little girl quietly stepped forward, opened her classbook, and pointed to a picture of tulips—the national flower of Hungary. She barely speaks Hindi, yet in that moment she spoke a universal language.
No words can capture how powerful that connection felt.
Heart to heart.
Child to child.
Human to human.
What a wonderful day.
Our deepest gratitude to
Ms Scuba Zita, Ms. Frankó Csuba Dea, and Ms. Böbe Balogh for gifting our children this unforgettable experience.
And heartfelt thanks to Shoba Krishnan ji and Jyotida for making this visit possible.
Under The Tree grew a little bigger today—not in size, but in spirit.

As AI reshapes our world at a breathtaking pace, the ways we teach and learn are evolving just as quickly. At Under The Tree, we remain committed to bringing the best learning tools we can—despite our limited resources—to the children and communities that need them most.

Delighted to share that we’ve launched two new English‑learning apps, created at our own Jyoti EdLabs especially for underserved learners. We dedicated these apps today to the children at our open study session, which resumed after the Holi break.

Holi at Under The Tree burst into a riot of colours and joy today — a day filled with laughter, music, and togetherness. Children played games, danced their hearts out, and enjoyed a beautiful Phoolon ki Holi. A festive lunch brought everyone to the table with gujhiya, fruits, and dahi bhalle. Every child went home with a pichkari and a little colour to keep the celebration alive.