India, June 26 -- For 29 years, Bela Malhotra has remained committed to a simple belief that education can change lives. Today, 85-year-old Malhotra continues to teach underprivileged children in DLF Phase 1 through her initiative, "Apna School."

Malhotra said she started the initiative in her free time by teaching children in a small space in the garden outside her home. She reached out to the children of security guards, domestic workers and other support staff in the neighbourhood, encouraging them to attend her classes. What began with 10 students soon grew to 40.

"I always believed that if these children had a strong foundation, they would be better equipped to clear admission tests and interviews after Class 5 and gain access to q...