Slum boy scripts a rags-to-marks story

Even as his father toiled as a ragpicker and his mother washed utensils in nearby bungalows,Rahul would put in about 10 hours of study a day. He had no separate study,no private tuition and being eldest among siblings had other household responsibilities to take care of at their shanty in Shantinagar slums in Ramtekdi.

“I used to get up at 5 in the morning and study till 8 am,” says Rahul,a student of Balasaheb Shivarkar School in Fatimanagar,“As I didn’t have much space in my house to sit and study,I used to spend most of my time at school. My teacher Machhindra Rakte helped me with my studies. As my parents are not well educated it was he who guided and supported me academically.”

Asked what he wants to do in future,he says,“I want to be an engineer. I will get admission in some science college in the city. Of course I will consult my teachers in the matter first.”

Finally,the family seemed to realise that Rahul had become an achiever. His mother Kalindabai said,“We couldn’t get education. We work for daily wages. We don’t want our children to do what we are doing. We want them to make a good life for themselves. I am happy that my son has achieved this success.”