(Image source from: Robin Chaurasiya)

Robin Chaurasiya, founder of Kranti, will compete with teachers from the UK, US, Nairobi, Palestine, Japan, Finland, Australia and Pakistan to win the USD 1-million Global Teacher Prize 2016. The Indian teacher who runs a not-for-profit school in Mumbai for girls from the city's red light areas was named in the top 10 short-list for a global prize for teachers.

"It is my hope that being on this shortlist will help change people's attitudes and mindsets about sex workers and their children and what they can and cannot do," Chaurasiya said in remarks on the Foundation website. "People have asked me what I'd do with the money if I win - I'd probably just split it with the other nine nominees because they're all doing such amazing work," Chaurasiya said.

"There was a teacher behind every great artist, every great philosopher, every great scientist. However difficult life can be, teachers have always been there, behind the scenes, showing us the way forward," said renowned scientist Prof Stephen Hawking as he announced the top 10 in London.

"I wasn't the easiest person to teach. I was slow to learn, to read, and my handwriting was untidy. But, at the age of fourteen, my teacher, Dikran Tahta, showed me how to harness my energy, and encouraged me to think creatively about maths. He made me wonder. He made me curious. He opened up new worlds to me. That is what a great teacher can do," he said.

He referred to the founder of the prize, Kerala-born entrepreneur Sunny Varkey, and said, "Thanks to Sunny Varkey, and the Varkey Foundation. We need great teachers to grow great minds, or we will never solve the world's most pressing problems."

Varkey said: "I want to congratulate Robin Chaurasiya for being selected as a top ten finalist from such a huge number of talented and dedicated teachers." "I hope her story will inspire those looking to enter the teaching profession and also shine a powerful spotlight on the incredible work teachers do all over India and throughout the world every day," Varkey added.

The top ten have been shortlisted from 8,000 nominations and applications from 148 countries from around the world. The prize will be announced at a ceremony in Dubai on March 13.

By Premji