THE REAL LIFE STORIES

THE REAL LIFE STORIES

These are no filmy stories, but true life stories. These are stories of constant struggles of underprivileged children to achieve success and stories of continual fights put up to fulfil dreams.

  Rakesh Debnath is the epitome of spirit and energy. Today he is doing his F.Y. B.Com and simultaneously working as a Physical Trainer in a gymnasium. Life had never been an easy going affair for him. He had to struggle throughout his schooling days, living in 8 by 10 ft. small room over one of the pipe lines in Bandra, face abject poverty and even suffer due to health issues and even serious illness (T.B.) In the early stages of his schooling days there was no electricity at home. He had to study under the dim lights on railway platforms or at times under the dimmer lights of ATM booths. He has to work even harder now, attending college from 7am to 11am and then work at the gym from 2pm to 11pm.  Yet, he says, he enjoyed every moment of his childhood, especially his days at the educational classes conducted by an NGO. ‘School life’ in general and ‘NGO - Days’ in particular, were simply fantastic, he says, and one cannot miss the twinkle in his eyes when he so passionately says all this. When he looks back reflectively, he feels that those days passed away rather quickly – and to put it in his own words - बचपनके वो सुनेरे दिन जल्दी भाग गये.

But he remembers those days quite clearly, as though it all happened just yesterday. He must have been around 8 or 9 years of age or may be still younger, studying in II or III class, in one of the BMC- schools. Some of his classmates were attending free educational classes conducted by the that NGO in their neighbourhood. They would often talk about their ‘Didis’ (teachers of the said NGO), how kind good and helpful they all were, how the children studied together and so on. We all know how peer- influence works. Now Rakesh too wanted join. So pleaded with his mother and asked her to take him to enrol there. Subsequently his father too went to find more about them. It is needless to say that both of them were impressed with what was happening at those classes of that NGO. The rest, as they say, was history. Thus began his educational journey in the real sense.

Walking over the pipe line holding hands of Shanta didi, Bharati didi, Rajeshree didi or some other didi, all the children would reach the center. Then they had to climb up the steep ladder like staircase. Perhaps this was the most difficult part. “But we did not have any sort of fear because we always knew that our didis would never leave our hand and would take us safely to our classes”, says Rakesh. He still remembers how they all had to sit on mats spread on the floor of small room, unlike their formal school where they had benches to sit on and desk for writing. Yet it was fun and enjoyable experience for them. In their formal school in the primary section they had all male teachers, Rakesh says, who were very stern, strict and almost aloof. In contrast, ‘didis’ were very kind caring would tireless explain the lessons, repeating a number of times, till finally they all understood the lesson. They not only took keen interest in their academic progress but also in other problems they faced and assisted in resolving them. They would visit their homes from time to time and enquire about their well being.  "सब दीदीयाँ हमारेलिए सचमुच बड़ी बहेनॉ जैसी थी", says Rakesh," जिनके साथ हर खुशियाँ और दुख आसानीसे बाट सकते थे. उनकेसाथ सबकुछ शेर करसकते थे".

Another phase that Rakesh fondly remembers is ‘MAGIC BUS’ project . Thanks to this organization, he says, he got involved in that project (From Std.II to Std.VI) It was because of Magic Bus that Rakesh and his friends could acquire, develop and hone their skills in physical exercises, foot ball and other sports. It is the physical exercise that has benefited him immensely and even today it helps him in his current occupation. The picnics of Magic Bus and that of this organization, which were annual features, were the added attractions, he reflects.

They all enjoyed this phase in their life. Seriousness of life and importance of studies were yet to be understood by their young mischievous minds. They were still in their playful and carefree mould. But then the ‘Value Education’ and Morals sessions, in-depth teaching and coaching periods and ‘Counselling’ sessions finally began to take positive effect. Of course, all this was but gradual. “ Every year, just before our Annual Examinations, Badi didi (head of the organization) would stress the importance of studying hard and excelling in our exams, how it would help us and how doing well would be like a gift to our parents. Each and every year we heard this. But it was only in our VIII class that we started understanding the meaning of those pep talks. The significance of didi’s motivating talks began to finally dawn upon us”, says Rakesh. He now started taking his studies more seriously and began to understand his responsibilities. “काश ये हम पहले समज पाते. अगर ऐसे होता तो आज सायंस लेता. 'काश' ये शब्द मेरे लाइफमे अनेकबार आया. काश मै अंग्रजी मीडियम पडता --काश मै ये करता वो करता ---, आप समज गये ना?,” Rakesh asks.

Not studying in English medium has hurt him, he feels. When he heard his ‘hi-fi’ college mates speaking among themselves or answering the college professors in confident manner, at first, he would be wonder struck, look at them in awe and then would begin to feel jealous of them. Inferiority complex began to take hold on him. He found it hard to understand what was being taught. Somehow he managed the first year of his college. But slowly he began to regain his confidence and self- esteem.  

Now in F.Y. B.Com class he has dual responsibility of studying as well as work to support his family. Attending college for four hours daily and then putting in nine hours at work daily is definitely exhausting and strenuous. This hectic routine may be sapping his strength but not his spirit and energy.  “My mother has toiled hard and my father has worked so hard all these years to make both ends meet. And now it’s my turn to lend them some support and thus lessen the financial burden.”

[Currently he is doing his final year (T.Y. B.Com.). He has taken a temporary break from his job to be fully focused on studies and appear for ensuing final examination, a month away from now. All the very best to him.]

Shoyab Shaikh was not going in any school. All the children would roam about in the lane and by-lanes of the neighbourhood. Some were of his age while the others were older. They were all free birds. They could do what they liked, playing and whiling away their time as they pleased. So when Bharati didi and Chaya didi asked their parents to send their children to the free education classes, explaining to them how it would help their children and how their future could change for better, it did not make him happy. Now he would have to study and that would be the end to their ‘free life’.  But then those didis promised they would get ‘gifts’- toys, sweets, new clothes (uniforms) and bags. So they all went with them, reluctantly of course, marching behind the leading didis, holding hands of the other didis or the elders in the group. Over the the huge pipe lines balancing themselves they went, crossing the slushy path of the surrounding slums,  they had reached the center. They were given gifts, as promised – a slate, chalk sticks, a bag, a nice uniform consisting of a white shirt and blue short pant, a set of plastic bat, ball and stumps, sweets and biscuits. That’s all that happened on day one. Shoyab went home, wore the uniform and went running all around in the neighbourhood showing his new uniform to everyone.  And he thought it would be fun to go to those classes---getting gifts and all that.

But the days that followed were different. It all began by learning to write on the black slates -अ, आ , इ' (the Hindi alphabets)  and the progress had been slow but steady.  Shoyab says,“ Didi would grip our hand and help us to trace each alphabet until we perfected it. Now I realize how painstaking it must have been.” Then they learnt to read and write the alphabets. Soon he, long with his other mates, got enrolled in the Municipal School in Bandra, through the same NGO. Thus began his educational journey.

Like his other batch- mates, he too has delightful memories of Magic Bus events– be it the sports, games (especially foot ball matches), various physical exercises or the picnics, he enjoyed them all.

He fondly remembers Madhuri didi, who taught them English and Shital didi who taught them mathematics, science and Hindi. All the teachers treated them affectionately, taught them with kindness and love as though they (children) were their own siblings – They were ‘DIDIS’ (sisters) in true sense.  

One thing that remains etched in his mind is the ‘fire’. Of course he was small then. There was a big fire in their slums. You cannot imagine the trauma they all went through. There was chaos all around. People were running helter- skelter. The fire had engulfed their small tenement and destroyed everything in it. During this period it was Badi didi, who stood firmly behind them. His parents would often tell him about this and how she has taught them all to fight every possible adversity with exemplary courage, grace and dignity. 

Not studying in ‘English’ medium school is his only regret.  It was sort of a drawback for him. According to him in School there were quite a few restrictions – a dress code in form of uniforms, adhere to stringent rules and there would watchful eye on them to see that they did not break these rules, elders and teachers would tell them what they should do and what they shouldn’t, going out and returning home was monitored. Now in college they got their freedom. But with this freedom came the responsibility. Nevertheless, he liked those childhood days, particularly the days with the NGO. He knows that he must have a dream and fulfil it, but now he wants to dream keeping his eyes open, meaning of course keeping reality of life in mind.  
[Currently he is studying and preparing for T.Y.B.Com. examination, which is a month away from now. He sounded a bit nervous. I do hope my pep talk has boosted his confidence. Best of luck.]

Prashant Tiwari, who is currently in XII standard, studying in Science stream in one of the prestigious colleges in South Mumbai, comes from a humble background. He lives in a chawl with his parents and three siblings. His father works as a taxi driver and mother is house wife.

During his early childhood his father struggled to make both ends meet. He was studying in one of the  BMC schools, in Bandra. He was finding it hard to cope with studies and his parents were unable to help him with his studies. Despite financial constraints parents were compelled to put him in tuition classes and for this they had to make several sacrifices. In this manner, as an average student, he progressed and completed his IV class. But now, tutors were demanding hike in fees and father could not afford to pay these hiked fees, and that too for different tutors for different and additional subjects of standard V. They would watch every day, other children of the locality, who would go to the free education classes conducted by the same NGO. He does not remember whether it was because of Community Development team of that NGO or it was his mother’s own initiative that ultimately got him in those classes.  “ To get free tuitions -वहाँ मिलनेवाली मुफ्त शिक्षा और वहाँसे  मिलनेवाले टेक्स्ट किताबें, गाइड और नोट बुक्स - all these things were of great help to us. Getting enrolled there - वहां दाखल होना मेरे लिए सचमुच एक सुनेरा मौका था", says Prashant. “Yes, a golden moment in my life – I got a ‘Golden’ opportunity to excel.”

It was here, as he recognizes, he was made to realize his true potential, believe in himself and learn the lesson that there was no substitute for hard work. Of course, the whole process was slow, gradual and took three long years – from his class V to VII and even continued thereafter and will continue in future as well. Even during his initial years, young Prashant had shown glimpses of his huge potential when he would pass all the  examinations conducted by the NGO, and those of his formal school, with flying colours . He passed his SSC, securing 92%.

 “Here studies and fun went hand in hand – the picnics and the exposure trips were fantastic and fun filled.  These exposure trips, especially the ones to Nehru Science Center and Planetarium and Aquarium, were educative. मस्यालय तथा  नेहरू सायंस सेंटर और प्लेनेटोरियम हमारा जाना, और दिदियोंसे सायंस और गणित जैसे विषयोंको आसान तरीकेसे पढ़ाना, Shital didi explained these subjects in easy and simple manner, - इन सबका नतीजा - मेरे मनमे 'सायन्स' सीखनेका बीज लगाया - सायंसकी रूचि और प्रेम!”, he says.

He was so forthwith in acknowledging the influence and impact that the NGO had, in instilling into his mind, the love for ‘Science’, that expressions on his face said it all. “So I have taken Computer Science, if everything goes well, I shall pursue it and do engineering in the same.” He had happy memories of all the  didis, but remembers in particular Gitanjali didi who taught English text, conversation and Grammar, and Shital didi.

When asked the common question – how did he find transition from vernacular in school to English medium in college, he says it wasn’t that tough. “In my class (XII) I am the only student coming from vernacular section. But the professors and lecturers are very helpful. They are very open to the idea of my approaching them after the class.  They are very  patient with me and elaborately explain the difficult concepts. My classmates too are very kind and helpful. No jeering or taunts ever.” Though he got 78% in XI he is confident that he will do much better in his XII. Let’s wish him all the very best.

This is what one of the mentors with the NGO has to say about him: Prashant (Tiwari) is the best student that I have come across so far. He is so conscientious. He is diligent and perhaps matured beyond his age. He works very hard, showing care and putting a lot of efforts in his work (studies). He is simply brilliant and it has reflected in his academic results. During vacations I often call promising IX and XI class students to my residence to guide and coach them for their X and XII. This has been my practice, provide them with different books, especially in science and mathematics, which gives them advanced information and which is quite useful for them even for X and XII curricula . However, I regret to say that there are but a few who ask me questions. But he is different. He always asks what he did not understand and completes all the assignments that I give. I am very much impressed by his positive approach. He takes life very seriously, carefully and consciously avoiding doing anything wrong. I am sure that he will definitely do well in life and excel academically. I am going to continue to support, guide and coach him all through his XII and help him in future to secure admission and excel in engineering, which I am positive he will do. [ He passed XII with flying colours.He is currently appearing for IIT Entrance Exams in May this year. All the very best for him.]

When the last SSC results were out and I had a good reason to be happy, though one of my acquaintances expressed her apprehension and anxiety, what with passing percentage being  90+ and the first ranker securing 99.4%, who would not become numb or बधिर and comparing these results with those of our times we would have been  placed in the category ‘Malnourished’ or  ‘कुपोषित’ and for that matter, even the top rankers would have stood in ‘ Below the poverty line’ in this manner:

१० वी ला सध्या मुलांना पडत असलेले मार्क बघून …,,, बधीरच व्ह्यायला होतंय ….इथे ९० % मार्क वाला मध्यम वर्गीय ८५ % मार्क वाला गरीब ८० % मार्क वाला दारिद्र्य रेषेखालचाच वाटायला लागलाय …………। नशीब आपण पूर्वीच पास झालो …। नाहीतर सध्या च्या मार्काच्या तुलनेत … '' कुपोषित '' सदरा खालीच आपली गणती झाली असती …!

But with me it was a different story. It so happened that--- I received a call from an acquaintance of mine, a businessman and philanthropist who was (still is) in New Jersey (though he has a name, I shall not reveal it here because I do not know how private a person he is and may not like to be generally identified and neither shall I reveal the name of his nephew). He spoke about his nephew and requested me to help him out. Subsequently, he sent me this email on 1^st March, 2015:

Dear Vinay sir,

I greatly appreciate your help!
I will take care of charges/ fees.
Please make sure that the boy is available every day , please push him a bit( I am requesting this to u because, I know that , ONLY you can handle such case)
I know that he is stubborn and not very cooperative, but I do not want to give hope on him because he is still,  a kid and he lost his father 3 years ago and his mom is busy 9am-9pm earning their daily bread. 
There are millions of kids like him in India, who need help......
But If I ignore my own cousin's son then, how can I reach out to the kids whom, I have never known or met?

I apologize for making your rush  and push you thus.

Once again thanks a lot for helping me out.
Best Regards,
 RC

The help he sought was a tough task of teaching a boy, his nephew,  Algebra and Geometry and prepare him for his SSC exams and that too in just 5 days during the exams, the whole one year portion in 5 days. So I would go to his residence at Wadala(slum), daily from 7^th to 11^th March. For 4 to 5 hours on each day I taught him Mathematics, from the basics. He was literally at zero level not only in maths but also in English, in spite studying in English medium school (that’s RTI for you, everyone promoted and no detention up to IX). It was extremely difficult to start from the scratch but not impossible. It was also a learning experience for me, going to those slums in Wadala. I accepted the challenge.

Around 3 p.m. the taxi dropped me at Baktar Ali Naka and located the Sagar Bar (don’t get any idea), where the boy was supposed to meet me. He took me through the congested area guiding me through the narrow lanes lined by those one or two storeyed shanties avoiding oncoming vehicles, hawkers and pits. Finally we reached his house after covering the distance in 25- 30 minutes. The door opened outside, only the right one while the left one remained closed. As I walked in I realized the reason, behind the left door was an iron ladder leading up to the loft, and I was able to walk in turning sideways and I walked into their kitchen cum his study. He made sit on a small wooden stool, spread open the folding wooden table and he sat opposite me on a pile of cushions. On his left was the refrigerator which could hardly be opened as he was blocking it. Immediately to his right was the Fully Automatic washing machine and which was touching the kitchen platform, and to my left was a rack with utensils. So I began to teach him. So I taught him for those five days, 3 days of Algebra and the remaining 2 for Geometry. SSC results were declared. I was waiting for his phone call. I had his seat number, I knew his name. But ‘mother’s name’ was the online requirement. His mom was ---gita or ---geeta, but with right permutation and combination   I got it right.  He had passed securing 52 % and so had I. It was all worth it – my  pain and struggle. I was apprehensive. It was only possible because of his efforts and our prayers. 
[Currently he is in F.Y. Com. and preparing for the ensuing examinations and simultaneously working part time from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.]

Yes, there are millions of kids like him who need help! There are also many NGOs doing good job of providing education to these underprivileged, and these days more and more people, in individual capacity or collectively at organizational level, are getting aware of their social responsibilities and are addressing these social issues. Now we even have CSR. (Corporate Social Responsibilities.) Let us all do our bit.

                                                              Vinay Trilokekar