9D - Celebration of 'Real Women Real Stories' (Linearity Inspirations)

Our journey for inspiration took us 8,500 miles away to Siliguri, India, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. There, amidst the struggling backdrop of a slum-surrounded by tin-roofed homes and the harsh realities of daily survival-stands an extraordinary, humble school: Swapnapuran, meaning “the fulfillment of dreams”.

From the outside, it looks simple: long sheets for seating, house walls acting as blackboards, and children’s laughter spilling into the alleyway. But this space, founded in 2015 by Jayeeta Sengupta Dutta, holds the power to change young lives

A Simple Wish Sparks a Mission

The unexpected idea for Swapnapuran began with a conversation between Jayeeta and her maid, a woman who earned only about ₹500 (approximately $6 USD) a month. Watching Jayeeta's son receive private tutoring, the maid voiced a hopeful wish: "I wish there was someone to teach our slum kids too". That simple desire resonated deeply with Jayeeta. Moved by the stark inequality she witnessed, she decided to start teaching art, crafts, and basic education to the children right where they lived in the Siliguri slums.

Courage Against All Odds

The beginning was incredibly challenging. Securing a safe, open space was difficult, and convincing parents to trust this new "school" was even harder. Jayeeta established the school in an area notorious for crime, facing threats from local troublemakers who tried to stop her.

Driven by sheer willpower and supported by a handful of local community members, she held her ground. She started with just seven children in a makeshift classroom-a small, fragile space that has since gone on to transform the lives of nearly 200 students today in her open-street classroom. 

Jayeeta credits her compassion and courage to her grandmother, Sabitri Sengupta, a freedom fighter who was once jailed by the British in Darjeeling and gave birth to Jayeeta's father while behind bars. Swapnapuran, Jayeeta says, is her tribute to that powerful, fighting spirit.

The Gateway to a Brighter Future

Jayeeta’s mission extends beyond test scores. For these children-many of whom are the first in their families to ever attend school-Swapnapuran is a gateway to a better future. She emphasizes character-building alongside academics by teaching art and craft. Her ultimate dream is to see her students graduate from college, achieve independence, and break the cycle of generational poverty.

Having left behind a secure job in the insurance sector, Jayeeta found her true purpose among the laughter and chaos of her students. "When I walk into the school," she says, "and the children run up to hug me, that's my real salary".

Today, Swapnapuran is a powerful symbol of hope, courage, and compassion-a testament to what one person’s empathy can achieve against all odds.

Linearity salutes Jayeeta Sengupta Dutta as a Real Life Icon. She represents our 'Bhramacharini'- embodying devotion, purity, and dedication to self-improvement. This reflects women's commitment to education, spiritual growth, and personal development.