54.78% of Maharashtra lives in rural areas. Most of their lives are spent either in their small hometown or maybe in the city if they were to visit it. The urban trajectory of education usually ends for them as soon as they reach a responsible age. Going to a good college then pursuing further studies and eventually making a living from your gained knowledge is a dream although unfortunately, unfulfilled. To provide becomes the sole reason of being able, which ends up crushing the individuality of a student and ambitions start fading.
Here is where the community stands strong. One such helping hand is Rajani Foundation India. An interview was conducted of a student from Chiradpada, a small village in the Thane district, Sahil Sapat. Currently studying in the 12th grade, Sahil shared a few experiences and gave us a small insight into his journey. When asked which subject is his favourite, his instant reply was Marathi. He was proud to have prowess in his ‘मातृभाषा’ and said it is easy to learn and understand.
Sahil and his friends in school received support from RFI when he was just 8-9 years old (i.e. in 2-3 grade) which led to him not fully understanding the significance of the work done by the foundation. But as time went on and his board exam for 10th grade approached, he found the help of the foundation to be very fruitful.
‘They took classes every Sunday in our school and provided us with stationery like pencils, pens, bags and notebooks and also paid our school and college fees ! It was great having teachers who made us understand the concepts and taught us from the textbooks. We had never gotten such guidance before but were very happy to be mentored in such a way!”, he recalled.
RFI went to the extent of paying the school as well college fees of the students that they had mentored which came as a great relief to Sahil and his mother. His father having passed away at a young age, Sahil is determined to help his mother and keep her happy when he grows up. “आईला खूप बरं वाटलं” (Mother was very relieved) Sahil also insisted that he did not have a favourite mentor from the foundation, however, mentioned that Aniket ‘dada’ helped him a lot. He personally talked with Aniket sir and had an answer ready when Sir asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up – A car mechanic.
He always and still has an interest in cars and bikes, however, doesn’t feel like he can pursue it professionally. “मला आईसाठी आणि RFI साठी एक चांगली नोकरी शोधुन चांगला जॉब करायचा आहे” (I want to get a good job for my mother and the foundation) He had also mentioned once that he likes playing chess, only to be gifted a chess set by none other than his Dada! A gesture as small as a playing chess board struck a chord in Sahil’s heart which he has carefully maintained to this day. Recalling his school classes days, he said how Aniket dada would go to an absentee student’s house to know the reason for their absence and help them if he could, to join the sessions. Sahil admired such dedication and wished to incorporate the same in himself. In a question which was asked for his advice to a student that maybe in the same situation as he was prior to the support of RFI, he said, “I will tell them to follow their heart, play sports if they like but also study very hard and I would help in any possible way I can, just like Rajani did for me.”
The foundation also had carried out a cleanliness drive in the school and awareness sessions were also taken. Sahil remembers the impact it had on him as due to this knowledge he was able to tidy up his own house too!
Students thrive on academic validation and especially if it is an achievement which is capable of breaking a generational gap in knowledge which might drastically improve the quality of life for many like Sahil, and the foundation understands it too well. Sahil uses the same watch gifted to him by RFI when they passed 10th as a gift. Finally, as a message to the foundation itself, Sahil says -“Just like you support all of us, please keep doing it, and the kids who want to learn, please support them as well, a very heartfelt thank you to all of you” And to Aniket sir – “Thank you for the support and guidance, and hopefully it continues!” Such students who have a spark to learn and make a difference, need a hand which is willing to get hurt and still persevere to pull them out of an unfortunate current. To Sahil, I hope you get all the success in life you wish for and keep meeting people that will only want the best for you. “जेवढ करता येईल तेवढ दुसऱ्यांसाठी करेन” (I will do how much ever I can for others)
-Swara Sarfare
