In Praise of Right To Education (RTE)

Raju can’t go to school

because there are barriers.

A  mental  barrier of prejudice

which only see those polio stricken legs

and a physical barrier of

a steep flight of stairs.

But no one knows

the song in his soul and

the magic in his heart

which makes him wonder at the

green grass and the phases of the moon.

And then came the RTE

which cleared away all the barriers,

walls of prejudice and steep steps of exclusion.

Now,  Raju  goes to school

and his teacher tells him

about the colours of the rainbow

which make Raju’s paintings vibrant

and his songs dulcet. 
-Neha Bansal