Pandado, a small village in Budhni block of Sehore district in Madhya Pradesh, is a place where, despite the lack of resources, children are eager to go to school. The reason is simple—Talat Beg, their teacher, teaches them with the same care and affection as she would her own children. Her warmth and dedication have made her the reason children show up every single day.

That care is visible not just in her teaching, but in the little traditions she’s built in the classroom. On one such day, the sound of clapping filled the classroom as someone walked in. At the centre of it all was a child being wished a happy birthday by classmates. It’s a small but regular celebration in Talat Baig’s classroom, she makes it a point to mark every child’s birthday, turning it into a moment of joy and belonging.

Talat Beg says, “children are like pots made of raw clay, they will mould as they are molded. I try to ensure that children do not miss their parents in school.”

Transformative Power of Mission Ankur

Mission Ankur was introduced 12–13 years after Talat Beg began teaching and it created a stir from the very beginning. She believes it has brought significant benefits to teachers like her, especially through the Teacher’s Guide, which provides clear, structured lesson plans that make classroom teaching more purposeful and student-focused.

The impact of Mission Ankur is visible in Talat’s school. Children of Grade 1 and 2 are studying Hindi fearlessly. Besides, they are also becoming proficient in mathematics.

Talat’s dedication shows in the way she prioritises being in school every single day. No matter how pressing things are at home, she ensures she’s present because she knows that even one missed day can disrupt her students’ learning.

Beautiful TLM: A Gateway to Learning

Talat Beg’s classroom stands out for its vibrant display of handmade teaching-learning materials, created from simple, everyday resources. The space is warm and welcoming and learning begins the moment children step inside.

During one class, Talat was assigning written work to some students while engaging others in conversation. It became evident that she was using this approach to differentiate, giving tasks to students who were more confident in their studies, while spending more time with those who needed additional support.

Talat’s own journey into teaching was inspired by her school teachers, who left a lasting impact on her. Today, she is doing the same for her students. Many of them look up to her and say they want to grow up to be teachers like “Talat Ma’am” — and contribute meaningfully to society.

Creating a Safe and Welcoming Environment

As soon as the children enter the class, Talat talks to them and make them comfortable for the day ahead. Talat tries to find out whether the child is stuck somewhere in class or life, she will ask her children what they ate today, who is at home and what happened at home today. When Talat asks children about all this, they feel very connected to her just like how they are with their parents.

Talking about Mission Ankur, Talat says, “With the arrival of Mission Ankur, I see a lot of change in myself. I have fallen in love with myself. This thinking has developed in me that now, at any cost, I have to prepare my children and make their future bright. I will sacrifice my life for the children.”

Today the country needs teachers like Talat, who is not only giving quality education to the children, but with the power of immense love, she is making the children disciplined, educated and self-confident. Teachers like Talat are the hope for a better tomorrow. In the present times, such intensity shows that by 2026, the goal of Mission Ankur will be achieved with the strength of teachers like her.