‘Back To School’: Couple Transforms Discarded School Supplies Into Hope for Poor Kids

Back to School: Couple’s Initiative in Bengaluru Uplifts Hundreds of Underprivileged Students

Bengaluru, India — In a city known for its tech prowess and innovation, a quieter revolution in education has been steadily gaining ground. For the past decade, Debmalya Bhattacharya and Payel Sengupta, a socially committed couple, have been running ‘Back to School’, an initiative aimed at supporting underprivileged school-going children with essential educational resources.

A Decade of Impact

What began as a modest effort has now evolved into a city-wide mission. Collaborating with seven NGOs across Bengaluru, the initiative currently supports around 200 children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. These children, despite demonstrating talent and academic promise, often struggle due to the lack of basic educational necessities.

“We have collaborated with 7 NGOs across the city and are serving around 200 poor kids with the necessities of their schools,” said Debmalya Bhattacharya, co-founder of the initiative. “Government takes care of the children’s shelter and basic food, but for kids to grow physically, mentally and psychologically, there are many other things that are required, apart from food and shelter.”

Bridging the Gaps Left by Government Schools

While public schooling in India offers free education, critical gaps in infrastructure and teaching quality remain a concern, especially in under-resourced government schools. Bhattacharya points to the dire need for holistic development, often missing in these institutions.

“The horrible thing about government schools is that there is a sheer lack of infrastructure and a negligible number of teachers to properly teach students,” he said. “‘Back to School’ steps in to address this by supporting children’s mental health and extracurricular activities.”

The program doesn’t stop at just books and uniforms. It strives to nurture the overall development of the child—mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Supporting Dreams Beyond Academics

Co-founder Payel Sengupta emphasizes that their work is not limited to academics alone. The initiative also identifies and nurtures individual talents, offering resources and encouragement to children interested in fields like sports and the arts.

“We provide children with motivation and take them to the respective fields they are interested in,” Sengupta explained. “For instance, if a student is passionate about football, we ensure they have everything they need to grow in that field. Similarly, we support children with talents beyond academics.”

This approach ensures that children are not only retained in school but are also inspired to pursue their dreams—no matter how big.

A Call to Action

The couple has made a heartfelt appeal to the public, especially middle- and upper-class families, to donate gently used school materials—books, notebooks, stationery, school bags, shoes, and uniforms.

“These items, often discarded at the end of the academic year, can bring joy and dignity to another child’s educational journey,” Bhattacharya said. “A small act of kindness can change a life.”

Community-Driven Change

Over the years, ‘Back to School’ has become more than just a charitable initiative—it has grown into a community-led movement that believes in equal educational opportunities for all.

The couple continues to self-fund much of their work, but with growing awareness and public participation, the initiative is gaining momentum. Their vision is clear: a future where no child is denied an education due to poverty.

As the new academic year approaches, Bhattacharya and Sengupta remain hopeful that more citizens will step forward to support the cause.

🔹 Key Quotes

“For a child to grow physically, mentally, and psychologically, we must go beyond just food and shelter.”
— Debmalya Bhattacharya, Co-Founder, Back to School

“If a child shows passion for football or music, we don’t just applaud—we equip them.”
— Payel Sengupta, Co-Founder, Back to School

“A school bag that gathers dust in one home can spark dreams in another.”
— Debmalya Bhattacharya

🔹 Q&A of Deb & Payel  

Q: What inspired you to start ‘Back to School’?
Debmalya Bhattacharya: We kept meeting bright, curious children who were dropping out—not because they lacked talent, but because they didn’t have notebooks, shoes, or the motivation to stay. We felt we could change that.

Q: What sets this initiative apart from other donation drives?
Payel Sengupta: We’re not just donating. We’re nurturing potential. We identify individual passions—whether in sports, music, or academics—and we support them holistically.

Q: How can the public help?
Debmalya Bhattacharya: It’s simple—just donate gently used school supplies. If you have a child, pass on last year’s school items. Your kindness can keep another child in school.

🔹 Context & Background

• Launched in Bengaluru nearly a decade ago, ‘Back to School’ is a grassroots initiative started by Debmalya Bhattacharya and Payel Sengupta.

• The program aims to bridge educational inequality by supporting underprivileged school-going children with essentials like books, uniforms, shoes, and extracurricular resources.

• Working with seven NGOs across the city, the initiative currently serves around 200 students.

• Focus areas include mental health support, extracurricular growth, and nurturing non-academic talents such as sports and the arts.

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