In one of the world’s most expensive cities, where the cost of a modest life often feels beyond reach, there lives a community with almost nothing to call their own. They live under the IIT bridge Hauz Khas in the national capital with no piece of land to call their own, no walls to shield them, and no possessions that the world might consider valuable. Yet each day, their hearts remain full, and their smiles wide, carrying an abundance that no wealth could buy.
Society has conditioned us to chase after money from a young age, whispering that happiness is tied to what we can accumulate. But what we often forget is that, in the end, nothing truly belongs to us. Not our money, not our possessions, not even the people we love. The only things we carry through life are the moments we have truly cherished, and the experiences that have taught us, touched us, and transformed us.
This bridge-bound community, though deprived of basic necessities, carries an unbreakable spirit. Their struggles are heavy, yet their laughter is infectious, a testament to their resilience and the ability to find joy amidst hardship.
Despite torn clothes and bundles of hand-me-down books, the children here run to learn with eagerness in their eyes, as if each new day is a fresh promise of discovery and growth. They remind us that true wealth comes from a spirit undeterred by circumstance.
In this community, survival takes many forms. From a young age, the children here have learned to earn their bread and butter through grit and determination. Some perform flips and dance at busy traffic signals, hoping for a coin or two, while others sell flowers and balloons, making only a small profit with each sale. But even in their daily struggles, they work with a fire in their hearts—a deep drive to earn their food and contribute to their families.
These children are resilient, their spirits undiminished by hardship, each of them fighting for a life they know is worth it. Their story is one of both struggle and strength, and they remind us of the simple truth: that a life, no matter how difficult, is precious when filled with purpose, gratitude, and the courage to cherish each day.
Madhyam-Ujale Kee Orr, an NGO, has taken it upon itself to uplift this community. Since 2008, it has been trying to educate children in need with their own efforts and funds. Their simple act of equipping children with basic skills that promise them a brighter future may seem quite simple on the surface but, to them, are gifts of untold value. Every word, every shared idea, every new insight holds precious weight, for these children who understand that knowledge, unlike material wealth, is truly theirs to keep forever.
For these kids, each day is a new opportunity to cherish what they learn, to laugh despite adversity, and to find beauty in the small moments they are gifted. Their story reminds us that only when we experience life at its lowest do we come to understand its true worth — and learn to cherish each and every moment.