Kolkata: Though aghast to see children working in brick kilns, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, here on a charitable visit Monday, said he was inspired and moved by the energy of the children.
As the global ambassador of 'Save the Children', Hamilton visited a brick kiln on the outskirts and met several underprivileged children.
"The thing that I will carry with myself is the energy that these children have. They all are so full of it. When I asked them what they wanted to be, they all had so beautiful answers and dreams for a bright future. I will carry these beautiful memories with me," said the 28-year-old Briton.
Always eager to contribute for a cause, the former world champion is excited to be part of the initiative and spread awareness so these children get education and pursue their dreams.
"It was sad to see children loitering around streets, working in precarious conditions. Seeing hundreds and hundreds of children not getting the opportunity to study is painful. I always wanted to be the individual who creates ripples and others follow it. I did not get much time earlier but now I ensure that I get some time for these kind of works which I always wanted to do," said Hamilton.
Hamilton also visited some mobile learning centres -- housed in big yellow buses -- which travel to urban slums. In one of those centres, he met a nine-year-old girl who lives beside a busy railway line risking her life daily as she has to cross the tracks.
"It's shocking in this day and age, to think that some children have never touched a book. We need to make sure every child has an education to raise them out of poverty," said Hamilton.
Hamilton, who has enthralled millions zooming on race tracks across the globe, however, admitted being over awed by the skills of city drivers.
"There are some amazing drivers on the streets. There are so many vehicles, so many people on the roads, I am astonished seeing the skills on the road," said Hamilton with a chuckle as he described his maiden visit to the city a "learning experience".
"The world that I saw today is vastly different from the one I live in," added Hamilton.
