Wheels of Change: SRMUH Students Carry Hope to the Himalayas - World News Network

VMPL
New Delhi [India], July 1: This week, a group of students from SRM University Delhi-NCR, Sonepat (SRMUH) will leave their campus and begin a journey far from familiar surroundings. They are travelling from India Gate, Delhi to Ladakh. Not for adventure or escape, but to help children in some of the region’s most remote villages access something many take for granted: a basic, hopeful education.
The initiative is called Wheels of Change. Over eight days, the team will travel from the lands of Delhi & Haryana to the mountains of Leh, Kargil and the Nubra Valley. Along the way, they will visit anganwadis and local schools to deliver learning materials, books, warm clothes and toys to children in places where these are still considered rare.
There is no fanfare around it. No slogans or banners. Just a quiet, organised effort by students who believe education should not stop where roads get rough or where attention fades.
Notably, the event has already been approved by the Ladakh local administration and is being supported by the Skill Development Council, a Government of India establishment. It will witness the involvement of key stakeholders working toward the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) — ensuring inclusive, equitable and accessible education for all.
This isn’t simply a student trip. It is a minuscule yet heartfelt gesture from the young generation to a younger generation. A journey from current youth to future youth and beyond.
Remote Area, Real-Life Barriers
The goal is not to make headlines. It is to make a difference, even if only in small and human ways.
Many of the children the students will meet attend school without books. Some do not own a proper school bag or writing materials. Others study in rooms that lack warmth or colour, or attention.
The students are bringing what they can. School bags filled with stationery, storybooks, art kits, puzzles and soft toys for younger children. Warm jumpers, socks and jackets. Things they hope will not only be used but also treasured.
This is not charity, they say. It is an attempt to meet children where they are and remind them that someone has thought of them. Even if just for a few minutes. Even if from far away.
Ladakh, despite its challenging terrain, is home to over 900 government schools, spread across more than 1,000 hamlets within a sprawling 60,000 sq.km area. Many of these schools sit quietly near popular tourist routes, yet are rarely visited. Perched at altitudes ranging from 9,000 ft to 15,000 ft, these schools typically accommodate 25 to 30 students across all grades. Most of these children are first-generation learners, and the remoteness of their villages, combined with poor connectivity, severely limits their access to quality education near home.

A Small Role in a Bigger Goal
The students have shaped the campaign in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4, a global call to ensure inclusive and quality education for all. In India, this goal feels especially urgent in remote and rural parts of the country.
In Ladakh, schools often function without proper infrastructure. Anganwadi centres, meant to support early childhood education and nutrition, struggle with limited resources. Many are run by dedicated workers who have very little to work with.
The students are not claiming they can solve these problems. But they believe they can help. A little support can sometimes keep a child engaged or give the teachers a tool they didn’t have yesterday.
This simple initiative — Wheels of Change — may just pave the way for a legacy that carries forward.
In the future, the team hopes to reach out to other remote regions of India, including North East, Bihar, Rajasthan and beyond — extending their journey, their purpose and their impact.
Thoughtful Planning, Modest Intent
The trip has been planned with care. Safety measures are in place. All travel and stays have been organised in advance. Students have been briefed not just on route logistics, but on cultural sensitivity and respectful interaction.
Faculty members at SRMUH are offering support but have left most of the decisions to the students themselves. From identifying the needs to packing the supplies, the responsibility rests with those who are travelling.
The team is also aware of the limitations of such an effort. There is no illusion that a single visit can fix deep-rooted challenges. But they believe gestures matter. Time matters. Being present matters.
What This Really Is
At its heart, Wheels of Change is about movement, and not just across terrain, but across assumptions. It is about students choosing to step into another part of the country, listen, offer something, and return with more than they gave.
It is about actual contributions while others are waiting. Reaching out while others remain distant.
It may not look like much on paper. A bag of books. A sweater. A simple toy. But for a child in the hills of Ladakh, it could be the first gift they’ve received from someone outside their world.
And for the students, it may be the most meaningful journey they take during their time at university.
For those who wish to contribute to the cause, the team can be reached at:
Mr. Hitesh Dahiya – 90505 60541
Mr. Dipanshu – 79034 18855
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