Date: July 11, 2025
Location: Nandurbar, Maharashtra, India
In the heart of rural Maharashtra, the innocence of childhood is being tested in the most unforgiving way. Every day, young children in Nandurbar district risk their lives crossing a rickety bamboo and rope bridge that spans the fast-flowing Warkhedi river just to attend school. With no permanent bridge in sight, these brave souls face a perilous journey that should never be the price of education.
A haunting video, shared by NDTV India on X, shows these children—some as young as six—carefully stepping over narrow ropes, their schoolbags slung over their shoulders, as they cling to the makeshift structure for dear life. Despite the obvious danger, there’s no fear in their eyes, only determination to reach the classroom. But their resilience comes at a cost. Every crossing is a gamble with fate, as the bridge trembles with every step they take.
This heart-wrenching scene in Nandurbar is not an isolated one. According to a recent 2025 government report, over 1.52 lakh schools across India are without basic necessities like electricity. Many are crippled by a lack of clean drinking water and accessibility features for disabled children. These numbers tell the story of a nation that promises education to all, but in reality, leaves its children to navigate obstacles no child should have to face.
Globally, the plight of these children mirrors the dangers faced by children in other parts of the world. In places like Nepal, students are forced to cross dangerous rivers using cable ropeways, making their school run one of the "world’s most dangerous." The sacrifices these children make to secure an education are becoming an all-too-common story of survival over schooling.
शिक्षा के लिए जोखिम भरा सफर करते छात्र
— NDTV India (@ndtvindia) July 10, 2025
महाराष्ट्र के नंदुरबार में वारखेड़ी नदी पर पुल न होने के कारण ग्रामीणों ने ख़ुद से बांस और रस्सी की मदद से बनाया पुल इसी पुल को पार कर बच्चे जाते हैं स्कूल #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/zBSJcVZ8OK
Locals have raised their voices in frustration over the lack of action. "We've been asking for a proper bridge for years. We’ve seen promises, but nothing has changed," said a teacher, whose voice is heavy with the weariness of years of unfulfilled requests. The villagers built the bamboo bridge themselves, an act of desperation, but one that only highlights the profound neglect from authorities.
Education experts and activists are sounding the alarm. "Every child, no matter where they live, deserves a safe journey to school," said an education activist, their voice filled with urgency. "This isn't just a local issue; it’s a national disgrace. How can we talk about universal education when basic safety is being overlooked?"
The National Education Policy of 2020 set ambitious goals for India's education system, including universal pre-primary education and foundational literacy by 2025. But for the children in Nandurbar, these goals feel like a distant dream. Their struggle isn’t about exams or grades; it’s about survival.
The children of Nandurbar, as they brave the dangerous waters day after day, embody a spirit of hope. But their hope is fragile, and without immediate intervention, it might be washed away by the very river they cross. As the world pushes forward with advancements in education, these children remind us that the journey toward progress is still far from complete. The government must act swiftly to ensure that no child’s safety is compromised for the sake of an education. Until then, these young hearts will continue their courageous march—undeterred by the risks, but surely longing for a bridge to safety.
