“I’m Santhosh Esram, from Narlapur village in the Etunagaram region of Mulugu district, Telangana.

Born into poverty, I experienced untouchability and caste discrimination from a young age. My parents, both agricultural labourers and illiterate, had one belief: education could change lives. Their trust in learning shaped my path.

Caste was present everywhere — sometimes unspoken, sometimes direct. In classrooms, public spaces, and even during festivals, the gap was always felt. These experiences made me question the world around me and created a need to respond, not just for myself but for others like me.

I completed my Master’s in Journalism at Osmania University, where I also discovered my passion for photography. I spent time beyond textbooks, travelling across India and capturing stories of survival, dignity, and courage.

The faces I met and the places I visited taught me more than any classroom ever could. I also realised how cinema often failed to represent people like us. That absence on screen made me want to tell our stories with honesty and empathy.

In 2020, I started the Bheem Children Happiness Centre, inspired by a childhood memory. After a flood destroyed our home, an NGO set up a hut in the forest to continue basic education. That hut changed my life. I wanted to recreate that possibility for other children.

We started small. Today, we run nine centres across Mulugu, reaching around 250 children, many of them first-generation learners. Our curriculum goes beyond textbooks. We teach life skills, cleanliness, emotional well-being, confidence building, and basic literacy. We call it the ‘Happiness Curriculum.’ Children stay with us until the 2nd grade before moving to government schools, equipped not just with knowledge but also self-worth.

This work wouldn’t be possible without the support of my wife, a government school teacher, and our dedicated team: Sheshinder Reddy, Gunmantharao, and many others who believe in this vision. Our aim is not just education — it’s transformation. This journey isn’t just about me. It’s about giving back to the community that raised me, and building a world where no child feels lesser, unheard, or unseen.”