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We are the Champions
It takes a child to raise a village.
These are the inspiring stories of boys and girls, from across India, who didn't have much to begin with. But never lost hope. They fought against circumstances, against injustice. Questioning age-old practices such as child marriage, child labour, dowry, trafficking and inequality of gender. The inertia and indifference of adults.
These kids are wiser and braver than most of us. They show us that real and lasting Change is possible. Be that change, in whatever way you can. Because we owe them - and all our children - a better, more beautiful world.
The 15 stories include the inspirational journeys of:
Anoyara Khatun (Sandeshkhali, West Bengal) – who has saved over 2000 children from child trafficking; Anju Verma (Doulatpur, Haryana) – who questioned gender discrimination in her own home; Kalavathi (Kurubarahalli, Karnataka) – who brought better hygiene and sanitation to her school; Sumit (Bhanwar Singh Camp, New Delhi) - uses rap music to bring attention to slum issues; and, Soni (Grant Road, Mumbai) - her life changed when her talent as a cricketer was discovered.
.... and many others. 'We are the Champions' is a bridge between rich and poor, city-bred and village-bred.
206 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2020
About the author
Rashmi Bansal
47 books535 followersRashmi Bansal is a writer, entrepreneur and youth expert.She is the author of two bestselling books on entrepreneurship. ‘Stay Hungry Stay Foolish’ features the stories of 25 MBAs who left lucrative jobs to follow the rough road of entrepreneurship. The book created a new record in Indian publishing by selling over 300,000 copies and has been translated into 8 languages.
Rashmi’s second book, ‘Connect the Dots’ focuses on non-MBA entrepreneurs. It has also been a bestseller, selling over 100,000 copies.
Her third book ‘I Have a Dream’, on social entrepreneurs, is releasing in May 2011.
Rashmi is co-founder and editor of JAM (Just Another Magazine), India’s leading youth magazine. She writes extensively on youth, careers and entrepreneurship on her popular blog: Youth Curry.
Rashmi is a columnist on popular Indian news portal Rediff.com. She has been Consulting Editor with Businessworld magazine and Bloomberg UTV, where she hosted India’s first interactive show on careers.
Rashmi is a consultant for international youth research agencies such as The Futures Company (a division of WPP, London ) and Flamingo Research (Singapore ).A guest lecturer at various business schools of repute including IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, ISB, S P Jain among others, Rashmi mentors numerous students and young entrepreneurs. She also conducts motivational talks and youth insight seminars for corporates.
Rashmi’s second book, ‘Connect the Dots’ focuses on non-MBA entrepreneurs. It has also been a bestseller, selling over 100,000 copies.
Her third book ‘I Have a Dream’, on social entrepreneurs, is releasing in May 2011.
Rashmi is co-founder and editor of JAM (Just Another Magazine), India’s leading youth magazine. She writes extensively on youth, careers and entrepreneurship on her popular blog: Youth Curry.
Rashmi is a columnist on popular Indian news portal Rediff.com. She has been Consulting Editor with Businessworld magazine and Bloomberg UTV, where she hosted India’s first interactive show on careers.
Rashmi is a consultant for international youth research agencies such as The Futures Company (a division of WPP, London ) and Flamingo Research (Singapore ).A guest lecturer at various business schools of repute including IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, ISB, S P Jain among others, Rashmi mentors numerous students and young entrepreneurs. She also conducts motivational talks and youth insight seminars for corporates.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 19, 2020
We are the Champions is a collection of 15 brave hearts who displayed their strength as they challenge the conventions of the society. This book is the testimony to their sheer grit and courage as they rise above themselves to bring a significant change around them. Be it child marriage, trafficking, dowry, etc, these young children have overpowered there adverse circumstances and took the oath of helping others. The roadblocks didn't deter them, they didn't stop them, and thus, they became invincible who are now recognized for their valuable work.
Authors Devendra Tak and Rashmi Bansal took the responsibility of recognizing these unsung heroes and bringing their stories of valor to the fore. We've seen a lot of people working for a noble cause - celebrities, philanthropists, etc - who enjoy the limelight. But what about those who stay remotely, cohabitating with their share of problems, and still making an attempt to help themselves and others. This is the first time I came across a book that brings to light the efforts of those who work hard for themselves and harder for others.
The book celebrates the guts of the young elevating minds who dared to question age-old practices thereby bringing a lasting impact in their society. Divided into three sections - Ladenge, Padhenge, and Badhenge - the book showcases the incredibility of the children who refused to live with their destiny. At the end of each chapter, you'd find quotes that are full of power and vigor.
It is a book for every age group. It would inspire the young and delight the adults. As you go through the fifteen stories, you'd realize what is the ground reality of the country despite us living in the 21st century. It is a book filled with passion, determination, and unrelenting desire to stand by one's heart. It is a book that pulls you out of your slumber and shows you that what great things are happening out there.
Authors Devendra Tak and Rashmi Bansal took the responsibility of recognizing these unsung heroes and bringing their stories of valor to the fore. We've seen a lot of people working for a noble cause - celebrities, philanthropists, etc - who enjoy the limelight. But what about those who stay remotely, cohabitating with their share of problems, and still making an attempt to help themselves and others. This is the first time I came across a book that brings to light the efforts of those who work hard for themselves and harder for others.
The book celebrates the guts of the young elevating minds who dared to question age-old practices thereby bringing a lasting impact in their society. Divided into three sections - Ladenge, Padhenge, and Badhenge - the book showcases the incredibility of the children who refused to live with their destiny. At the end of each chapter, you'd find quotes that are full of power and vigor.
It is a book for every age group. It would inspire the young and delight the adults. As you go through the fifteen stories, you'd realize what is the ground reality of the country despite us living in the 21st century. It is a book filled with passion, determination, and unrelenting desire to stand by one's heart. It is a book that pulls you out of your slumber and shows you that what great things are happening out there.
February 19, 2020
Rashmi Bansal needs no introduction. She is one of the leading authors of India whose books have sold more than 1.2 million copies. Her books were always inspiring and appealing. When I saw this title, I was deeply intrigued because I have read lot of book which talked about invention and innovation, achievements etc., but I felt this was something different. Yes,the book talks in detail about the achievements of the kids from across India, not just 1 but by 15 different kids.
Devendra Tak is the co-author of this book. I do not think there would have been any other person who could have done a proper justification to the title and the content. Together, they both have produced the inspiring and appealing true contents of these amazing kids who have fought their own battle to emerge as achievers in their own accord. I would not term them as winners because for winning, the boundaries are defined but for achieving something, they need to go beyond those boundaries which is what they did.
There might be hundreds and thousands of such inspiring stories across India and it is next to impossible to capture them all in the book. The kids who got featured in the book have done something against the odds and became a true champions of change. I will not be mentioning as to what they did since it is up to the reader to purchase the book and find out and cherish.
The writing style was lucid. Though they have struggled for years, each and every story was produced in a crispy way along with few pictures(both color and black and white) which makes it appealing. Even before you could realize that you have started reading an inspiring story, it comes to an end which shows how interesting the content is.
The book is divided into three sections:
a. Ladenge - We Will Fight
b. Padhenge - We Will Learn
c. Badhenge - We Will Grow
True to the sections, the stories were aggregated accordingly.
These kids fought social evils like Dowry, Child Marriage, Gender Discrimination, Drug Peddling, Child Employment among others and have shown a considerable change in their own surroundings/society. It definitely needs great guts to do what they did and I must thank the authors for having brought them to the limelight which would go a long way in inspiring the like-minded kids at large from across the nation.
Devendra Tak is the co-author of this book. I do not think there would have been any other person who could have done a proper justification to the title and the content. Together, they both have produced the inspiring and appealing true contents of these amazing kids who have fought their own battle to emerge as achievers in their own accord. I would not term them as winners because for winning, the boundaries are defined but for achieving something, they need to go beyond those boundaries which is what they did.
There might be hundreds and thousands of such inspiring stories across India and it is next to impossible to capture them all in the book. The kids who got featured in the book have done something against the odds and became a true champions of change. I will not be mentioning as to what they did since it is up to the reader to purchase the book and find out and cherish.
The writing style was lucid. Though they have struggled for years, each and every story was produced in a crispy way along with few pictures(both color and black and white) which makes it appealing. Even before you could realize that you have started reading an inspiring story, it comes to an end which shows how interesting the content is.
The book is divided into three sections:
a. Ladenge - We Will Fight
b. Padhenge - We Will Learn
c. Badhenge - We Will Grow
True to the sections, the stories were aggregated accordingly.
These kids fought social evils like Dowry, Child Marriage, Gender Discrimination, Drug Peddling, Child Employment among others and have shown a considerable change in their own surroundings/society. It definitely needs great guts to do what they did and I must thank the authors for having brought them to the limelight which would go a long way in inspiring the like-minded kids at large from across the nation.
March 11, 2020
I am so glad to have received and read this book, this is one of the few books where the content matter not how it is written or the flow or any such thing.
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As the cover says, the book is about inspiring stories of children, mostly across the rural parts of India who are working towards bringing a change or revolution in the society. Each and every story manages to make you ask yourself, what are you doing to bring a change?
.
The book is divided into three parts: Ladenge, Padhenge and Badhenge. The first part contains the stories wherein the children fought against the society; the second where they fought to study and third where they fought to do what their heart said.
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The book gives off a strong message that our children are the future of the country and they just need a slight push to tap their capabilities. The children of today are capable or moving mountains if they will, just support them and shower love on them.
.
Is this book recommended? Yes, highly! The book is an eye-opener as to what the condition of rural areas is and what all the children from that area are going through and yet achieving. Do pick up the copy of this book and read it!
.
.
As the cover says, the book is about inspiring stories of children, mostly across the rural parts of India who are working towards bringing a change or revolution in the society. Each and every story manages to make you ask yourself, what are you doing to bring a change?
.
The book is divided into three parts: Ladenge, Padhenge and Badhenge. The first part contains the stories wherein the children fought against the society; the second where they fought to study and third where they fought to do what their heart said.
.
The book gives off a strong message that our children are the future of the country and they just need a slight push to tap their capabilities. The children of today are capable or moving mountains if they will, just support them and shower love on them.
.
Is this book recommended? Yes, highly! The book is an eye-opener as to what the condition of rural areas is and what all the children from that area are going through and yet achieving. Do pick up the copy of this book and read it!
.
March 14, 2020
Each of us has our own definitions for this word . But we will agree with one pint that a hero is someone who fights against every odd and overcome them.
We are the Champions by Devendra Tak and Reshmi Banshal is a captive book including real life stories of youths who are the heroes of their own story . They are the champions.
In most of the books we read stories about people who are already under limelight . But here authors have chosen champions among us, ordinary people. It has made a huge difference and also this impacts every reader.
The book is divided into three parts- Ladenge , Padhenge and Badhenge . Each chapter ends with powerful quotes which will stir you.
If you are looking for something not heavy but motivating, which will gives you the strength to listen to your heart you should read this one
We are the Champions by Devendra Tak and Reshmi Banshal is a captive book including real life stories of youths who are the heroes of their own story . They are the champions.
In most of the books we read stories about people who are already under limelight . But here authors have chosen champions among us, ordinary people. It has made a huge difference and also this impacts every reader.
The book is divided into three parts- Ladenge , Padhenge and Badhenge . Each chapter ends with powerful quotes which will stir you.
If you are looking for something not heavy but motivating, which will gives you the strength to listen to your heart you should read this one
February 24, 2020
It's hope and action against fear, against passivity, against oppression that takes us forward in life to bring about a much needed change, but how many are able to do so? It requires courage and will against all odds to shatter causes strengthened by age old regressive tactics, which these 15 children have done, to help their societies rethink what they had been practicing and perpetuating without a thought.
In Rashmi Bansal and Devendra Tak's book, We are the Champions: Inspiring Stories of Children Across India Who are Champions of Change; we witness the powerful determination of wilful souls, who have paved the way for others at their blossoming age. The jacket reflects the unity mirrored by these children in bringing about change at the grassroots level by questioning as 17 year old Haryana resident, Anju Verma did, when she was awakened to the preconceived notions of gender roles and the discrimination it perpetuates; as Rumi Kumari did, when she strove hard to acquire an education for herself and gained employment with Vikas Bharti; or as Salman and Sumit did, by spreading the message of hurt and hopes with their art.
The writing conjugates and narration and expression by bringing the plot and dialogues in colloquial verbiage, which helps the reader to engross with depth, the circumstances faced by these achievers. Divided in sections themed- Ladenge, Padhenge and Badhenge: the message resounds loud and clear, with poetry decking these journeys-
"Main chup nahi Rahoongi…
I am not afraid to speak
Main buland awaaz banoongi…
I am a voice for the weak."
I definitely recommend it. We must read it because it's not just powerful depictions on pages, it's a life reflected in here, and most certainly by being a part of these narratives, you'll receive an unprecedented courage and hope. These are just a few of those kids who are fighting regressive traditions, rigid mentalities and terrible abuse. Read , share and take action, to do what you can to fight injustice as Anoyara, Mohammed, Shailendra, Sujanti Kumari and the others did.
In Rashmi Bansal and Devendra Tak's book, We are the Champions: Inspiring Stories of Children Across India Who are Champions of Change; we witness the powerful determination of wilful souls, who have paved the way for others at their blossoming age. The jacket reflects the unity mirrored by these children in bringing about change at the grassroots level by questioning as 17 year old Haryana resident, Anju Verma did, when she was awakened to the preconceived notions of gender roles and the discrimination it perpetuates; as Rumi Kumari did, when she strove hard to acquire an education for herself and gained employment with Vikas Bharti; or as Salman and Sumit did, by spreading the message of hurt and hopes with their art.
The writing conjugates and narration and expression by bringing the plot and dialogues in colloquial verbiage, which helps the reader to engross with depth, the circumstances faced by these achievers. Divided in sections themed- Ladenge, Padhenge and Badhenge: the message resounds loud and clear, with poetry decking these journeys-
"Main chup nahi Rahoongi…
I am not afraid to speak
Main buland awaaz banoongi…
I am a voice for the weak."
I definitely recommend it. We must read it because it's not just powerful depictions on pages, it's a life reflected in here, and most certainly by being a part of these narratives, you'll receive an unprecedented courage and hope. These are just a few of those kids who are fighting regressive traditions, rigid mentalities and terrible abuse. Read , share and take action, to do what you can to fight injustice as Anoyara, Mohammed, Shailendra, Sujanti Kumari and the others did.
December 3, 2020
We are the Champions by Rashmi Bansal and Devendra Tak is about 15 brave children who have fought for their rights and helped others too. These children have courageously faced big issues like child marriage, dowry, child labor, gender inequality, etc. at such a young age. The role of NGOs and organizations who create awareness and guide the less privileged in society is also highlighted. Sometimes superheroes reside in the hearts of small children fighting big battles.
January 21, 2026
As a long-time fan of Rashmi Bansal, I expected way more from this book. The writing felt rushed and lazy, with stories broken down into tiny, disconnected paragraphs. It’s a shame because the children’s journeys are actually quite inspiring, but the way they were presented made the book feel unfinished. I would’ve rated it much higher if there was more narrative and less "summary."
December 17, 2024
A quick read with some simple stories of children who fought against all difficulties to come up as role model for many others. It’s a reminder of how many kids are still struggling even for basic facilities but how they are coming out of it with sheer will and perseverance.
January 26, 2022
Beautiful
All stories about the kids are so inspiring. Changemaker can be of any age irrespective of colour religion .
Inspiring book
All stories about the kids are so inspiring. Changemaker can be of any age irrespective of colour religion .
Inspiring book
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews