World Indigenous Peoples' Day: Sahariya Children Appeal for Education and Equality

On the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we highlight the voices of Adivasi children from Ganj Basoda, Madhya Pradesh. These children from the Sahariya community, a designated PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group), have shared some of the urgent issues they face.

Despite their potential, they face documentation issues delaying admissions, distress migration due to lack of livelihoods, the burden of tuberculosis (TB) in their families forcing many to abandon studies to support their loved ones, and the absence of proper facilities in schools.

It’s time for action. We call upon officials at all levels — local, district, state, and national — to prioritise solutions:

• Streamline documentation processes

• Expand access to schools and hostels

• Create sustainable livelihood opportunities

Their future depends on your intervention. Let’s work together to protect their rights, education, and dignity.

These are just a few stories. Countless children in Ganj Basoda face similar struggles. Addressing the challenges and discrimination faced by the entire Sahariya community, given how deeply interconnected these issues are, is the only way to create sustainable and lasting change.