School Bell 75: When Youth Painted Hope Across Karnataka

In a world where change begins with a single stroke of inspiration, Yuvaka Sangha, a Bengaluru-based not-for-profit organisation, has been painting a new picture of hope and learning across Karnataka. Known for empowering over 1,25,000 students through various youth development initiatives, Yuvaka Sangha’s flagship project  Campus 2 Community continues to bridge the gap between young minds and the communities they belong to.

Campus 2 Community is more than a volunteering campaign; it’s a movement of compassion, creativity, and civic responsibility. Students from different college campuses across Karnataka unite under this initiative to identify community issues and address them through their skills and empathy.

Why Government Schools?

In Karnataka alone, nearly 22,000 of 48,000 government schools face the threat of closure. The reasons are many — poor infrastructure, lack of accountability, declining enrolment, and rising dropout rates, especially in remote rural areas. Campus 2 Community recognized that if change had to start anywhere, it had to start here — with the schools that shape the foundation of India’s future.

The School Bell Initiative

Under the project’s action plan “School Bell,” volunteers have been refurbishing and rejuvenating government schools in rural villages. These efforts go beyond paint and polish — they create vibrant, engaging spaces that foster curiosity and joy in learning.

Over the past four years, School Bell has reached remote corners of Karnataka, even touching the borders of Kerala, breathing new life into classrooms and corridors that had long lost their color.

The team’s creative touch transformed bare walls into stories — from environmental awareness and health education to STEM-inspired themes and patriotic art. Alongside these efforts, students participated in tree plantation drives, ensuring that lessons in sustainability grew right alongside them.

School Bell – 75: A Tribute to the Nation

To commemorate India’s 75th Independence Day, Campus 2 Community launched “School Bell – 75”, refurbishing 75 government schools across Karnataka — with special attention to villages that were home to our nation’s freedom fighters.

This initiative was inspired by the earlier “School Bell – 150” project (2019), which celebrated Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary by transforming 150 government schools.

With generous support from Rotary Midtown, Bangalore, and the tireless efforts of volunteers, School Bell – 75 became a celebration of freedom, service, and youth leadership.

The Numbers Behind the Change

A total of 4,414 individuals came together to make this event a success:

• 1,950 Architecture students brought design and structure to every space.

• 325 Artists splashed creativity and emotion onto the walls.

• 1,300 NSS volunteers ensured discipline and dedication at every step.

• Faculty, coordinators, headmasters, teachers, and even alumni joined hands to build something greater than themselves.

The village communities, with their warm hospitality, provided accommodation and meals for volunteers — turning the project into a shared celebration of compassion and unity.

A Journey Beyond Paint

For the volunteers, this wasn’t just about beautifying schools — it was about reviving dreams. The laughter of children, the sparkle in their eyes, and the pride of teachers watching their schools come alive were rewards far beyond measure.

As one volunteer beautifully put it, “We didn’t just paint walls — we painted possibilities.”

The Legacy Continues

Through Campus 2 Community and its initiatives like School Bell, Think and Tinker, Anaha, Prajna, and Book Drive, Yuvaka Sangha continues to inspire thousands of young people to take action for social good.

In the spirit of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, these youth volunteers have shown that patriotism isn’t just about waving a flag — it’s about building a better nation, one classroom at a time.

Closing Note

The story of School Bell – 75 is not just a report of completed work; it’s a story of belief — belief in the power of youth, community, and collective action. It’s a reminder that when young people unite with purpose, they can not only color walls — they can color the future.