Paper girl with a dream

If you happen to pause at the traffic signal at the Golibar Maidan Chowk in the afternoon, you are likely to be approached by Swati, a br...

If you happen to pause at the traffic signal at the Golibar Maidan Chowk in the afternoon, you are likely to be approached by Swati, a bright girl of nine years. Swati sells newspapers. Braving the relentless heat and scorching sun, Swati works hard from 11.30 a.m. to 6 p.m., observing people enthusiastically with a, “Sir, do you want a newspaper?”

Swati is a sixth standard student of Vidyaniketan school’ at Hadapsar. Intelligent and extremely bold for her age, it is a little wonder that she is a topper in her class. Her favourite subjects are drawing and mathematics. Swati is quick to inform us that she works only during the holidays when school is closed and she does not have to study. This shows the importance her little mind assigns to school and studying.

Residents of Saswad, Swati’s entire family is involved in the newspaper selling business.

Why does Swati need to work? She reluctantly confesses that her father suffers from an ailment which requires a medical examination. “But I enjoy my work”, Swati is quick to add with an unmistakable measure of pride in her voice.

Swati, along with her father buys the newspaper copies every morning from a newspaper agent near the Westend movie theatre. She is allowed to keep 40 paise on every copy that she sells for a rupee. When asked about her days earnings however, Swati simply shakes her head and says that she hands over all the money to her father.

After a hard days work, Swati looks forward to travelling home by bus with her family and spending the evening with her grandmother. Even in her free time, the conscientious worker likes to help her grandmother with the household chores. Swati professes a love for teaching and says that she enjoys going to school and learning new things. She wants to continue her studies, no matter what.

Watching her dart skillfully between the maze of vehicles at the crossing clutching newspapers, the earnestness and sincerity with which she performs her job is touching. One can only hope that her dream of a continuing her education is fulfilled.