Lucknow’s Republic Day parade this year will feature one of its most inspiring stories. Thirty children from Sambhal district, many of whom were once forced to beg for survival, will march as part of the official band contingent on January 26, performing before Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The children were identified under the ‘Bheekh Se Seekh’ initiative, a rehabilitation programme led by the Sambhal district administration in partnership with NGO Umeed. A district-wide survey found 268 children engaged in begging, out of which 30 who completed basic documentation and enrolled in government schools were selected for parade training.

Trained at the Bahjoi police lines with instruments provided by the administration, the children now stand as a symbol of transformation. Officials said the initiative has also helped rehabilitate over 650 families, linking adults to skill-based employment while ensuring children return to education.

For Lucknow, the parade will not just mark a national celebration, but also a powerful reminder of how opportunity can change young lives.