Missive to CM to help gritty disabled 19-year-old

NAVI MUMBAI: A social worker from Navi Mumbai, Bharat Samant, has written to the chief minister seeking medical assistance to help a differently-abled teenager, who recently cleared the SSC board exams with 53% marks.
Born with underdeveloped arms and one leg, Vasant Ravate (19) has become a marvel of sorts in Bhendipada village in Palghar district as he hops to S T Kadam Junior College on his right leg, where he is studying arts.“I have requested chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to see if hi-tech prosthetic arms can be given to Vasant like the ones that were given to the Ghatkopar railway mishap victim, Monika More. I feel overwhelmed and humbled to see the grit and determination in Vasant who cleared SSC exams with 53% marks,” said Samant.
“I am comfortable writing with my right foot. Fortunately, my college lectures are held on the ground floor where I sit on a long bench to take down notes. I’ve made new friends too,” said Vasant, with a smile. “After college, I plan to take up a government job and hope to work in the new Palghar district collectorate some day.”
While Vasant’s father, Suresh, stopped farming on the small piece of land he owns to take care of his son 24x7, his mother, Sumati, is the sole breadwinner of the family. She works as a maid and earns Rs 3,000 a month.
Vasant’s younger sister Chandrakala, who dropped out of school after class IX in rural Palghar, said, “Bhau (brother) is mentally very strong and determined. He hops across the village fields to reach the main road from where he gets into an autorickshaw to go to college. The entire village is very proud of him.”
“I am happy that Palghar is now a new state district with its own collectorate building. Now, we won’t have to go all the way to Thane for any official work,” said Vasant.
His proud father, Suresh, said, “Both my wife and I are completely ‘angootha chhap’ (illiterate). All through his school years, I used to accompany him to school and back. Now, he prefers going to college alone. He has become a man now.”
Vasant’s younger sister Chandrakala, who dropped out of school after class IX in rural Palghar, said, “Bhau (brother) is mentally very strong and determined. He hops across the village fields to reach the main road from where he gets into an autorickshaw to go to college. The entire village is very proud of him.”