Event celebrating achievements of children of wastepickers held

This year, 124 children of waste pickers passed the 10th standard, while 111 passed the 12th. Among them is Bismillah Mulla, who secured 82% in Class 10 after learning science from videos on her father’s mobile phone; Chetan Naiknavde, who scored 79% despite losing his father during the pandemic and being raised by his grandmother after his mother left; Rohit Mohite, who cleared his Class 10 exam on the fifth attempt and went on to design a “stress meter” during college; Arya Pagare, who pursued boxing while challenging social expectations and scored 65%.These students have overcome not only academic hurdles but also the social and economic barriers that shaped their childhoods.

Two waste pickers Priyanka Kamble and Komal Gaikwad also passed their Class 10 exams while continuing their daily work, underscoring the resilience that runs across generations in waste pickers. The program saw the participation of over 500 waste pickers and their children, reflecting the pride and collective celebration of a community that has long invested in education despite limited resources.

KKPKP, a union of waste pickers established in 1993, has organised this program for many years while also advocating at state and national levels for policy improvements in education schemes for the kinds of workers in cleanliness occupations. India’s largest waste-picker-owned cooperative, SWaCH, emerged from KKPKP’s efforts and the determination of waste pickers themselves. The program also highlighted that through SWaCH, thousands of waste pickers earn a dignified livelihood while supporting their children to pursue education and build independent futures.

Himmatiche Varasdar, a collection of inspiring life stories of waste pickers’ children was also launched on this occasion.

A few days ago, Anju Mane—who had returned Rs 10 lakh in cash found in the waste—was also felicitated by the union. Her daughter, Diksha Mane spoke about her mother’s efforts toward her education,“Even when relatives pressured her to marry off her daughters early, my mother prioritised completing the education of all four of us. I want to tell all my friends—study with dedication; that is what leads to true growth.”

“SWaCH has played a major role in keeping Pune clean for the last 20 years. While planning the city’s waste management systems, we will work with SWaCH and build future policy through dialogue. Listening to the children of waste pickers today made me feel truly proud of them,” said Pavneet Kaur, Additional Municipal Commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation.