Recognized by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in “Mann Ki Baat” — The Book Man of Chandigarh, Mr. Sandeep Kumar.
The Story Behind Open Eyes Foundation
Sandeep Kumar was born in Dhani Mahu village in Haryana’s Bhiwani district in a farmer’s family with limited resources but a strong belief in education. He completed his schooling in the village before moving to Chandigarh with his family after Class 12.
After completing school, he pursued a Junior Basic Training (JBT) course, which prepared him to teach students in government primary schools. During the final year of his training, he worked as an intern at a government school in Bhiwani. This experience became a turning point in his life.
While teaching, he noticed that many students were intelligent and eager to learn, yet they lacked basic study materials like books, notebooks, pens, and pencils.
When students were asked to write notes in class, many stayed silent because they simply did not have the required materials. Wanting to help, Sandeep initially started supporting a few students using his own money. But as more children came forward, he realized the issue was much bigger than he had imagined.
As he interacted more closely with families, he realized another harsh reality. Although government schemes provided support for education, many families struggling with extreme poverty were forced to use that money for basic survival needs such as food and household expenses. For these families, buying books and stationery often became impossible.
After returning to Chandigarh, Sandeep observed similar problems in government schools and underserved communities.
What happens to books, notebooks, and stationery after an academic year ends?
Many children were still struggling to continue their education because they lacked access to basic learning resources.
In most cases, they were either thrown away or sold as scrap.
This thought led to the beginning of a small effort from his own home. Sandeep started collecting old textbooks and half-used notebooks, separating unused pages and turning them into reusable notebooks for children in need. He also repaired and reused old stationery items wherever possible.
Nothing is waste if it can help educate a child.
His belief was simple:
What started as a personal effort gradually grew with the support of friends, volunteers, and the community. Over time, this initiative evolved into Open Eyes Foundation — an organization working to make education accessible for underprivileged children through book redistribution, libraries, educational kits, and scholarships.
Today, Open Eyes Foundation continues to work with one clear mission:
Ensuring No Child is Left Behind Due to Lack of Resources.
How it all began
Founder's Journey
From a small village in Haryana to founding a movement — every step driven by the belief that no child should be left behind because of a missing notebook.
Origins
Village upbringing in Bhiwani
Born into a farming family in Dhani Mahu, Sandeep grew up experiencing first-hand the barriers rural children face in accessing even the most basic education resources.
Turning point
Internship at a government school
During his final-year training in Bhiwani, he saw students being sidelined simply because they had no books or stationery to Study.
First step
redistributed old notebooks
He gathered his own worn textbooks, removed unused pages, and bound them together — a small but symbolic act that became the seed of Open Eyes Foundation.
Foundation
Open Eyes Foundation established
Encouraged by friends and mentors, Sandeep founded the NGO — redistributing books and stationery to empower underprivileged students across India.