From horseback to headlines: Assam's 'Yuvaraj’ gets a helping hand, inspires many

In the quiet, hilly hamlets of Assam’s Chhaygaon, a little boy’s journey to school has captured the imagination of thousands. Eight-year-old Yuvaraj Rabha, a Class III student of Dakshin Pantan Janajatia Middle English School, never imagined that his daily horseback ride across rugged terrain would one day spark conversations across the state and beyond.

His story began as a humble routine, each morning, Yuvaraj saddles up his horse and sets off on a nearly four-kilometre trek through uneven hills and muddy paths. For the young student of Borbakara village, perched along the Assam-Meghalaya border under the newly carved Boko-Chhaygaon constituency, the horse is not a luxury but a lifeline. With no proper roads or public transport facilities connecting his village to the school, horseback has been his only way to pursue an education.

When a video of Yuvaraj’s daily ride to school surfaced on social media, it instantly struck a chord with viewers. The clip, shared widely across platforms, was more than just a viral moment — it became a mirror reflecting the struggles of children in India’s remote corners who battle harsh terrain and poor infrastructure in their pursuit of learning.

The story did not just remain in the digital realm. On Wednesday, September 3, prominent social worker, businessman, and BJP youth leader Raju Mech traveled to Yuvaraj’s home to extend his support. Mech presented the young student with a cheque of Rs 5,000, a brand-new bicycle, a football, and a school bag — gifts that carried not only practical value but also an assurance of encouragement. More importantly, Mech assured Yuvaraj’s family that he would continue to support the boy’s education in the days to come.

For Yuvaraj, the moment was one of validation, his story, once confined to the hills of Borbakara, had reached the wider world. For his family and fellow villagers, the gesture was a ray of hope. The rugged terrain they have long endured seemed, at least for a moment, to soften under the weight of kindness.

The viral video has also reignited important conversations about rural education, infrastructure, and the lengths to which children must go simply to reach their classrooms. While Yuvaraj’s horse ride may have captured hearts, it also underscored the urgent need for better connectivity and basic facilities in remote villages.

Yet amid these discussions, the picture of a boy proudly clutching his new bicycle and football, surrounded by smiling family members, stands out as a symbol of resilience and hope. Yuvaraj’s journey — from horseback rider to an emblem of grit — has not only highlighted the challenges of rural childhood in Assam but also reminded society of the transformative power of empathy and timely action.