Families back wards so lives won't go waste

Pune: Mohan Hendre's parents were not in a position to help their son who appeared for his secondary school certificate examination this year. His only philosopher and guide elder brother, a graduate, who is appearing for competitive examinations this year
"He does not go to any coaching classes. We cannot afford it. I am his only 'margdarshak' (guide)," Datta, Mohan's elder brother, said with much pride.On Monday, when the SSC results were declared, Mohan had scored 70% .
Mohan's mother Sangita is a wastepicker, and his father is a daily wage labourer, but they, along with the elder brother, ensured that the youngest in the family got an education.
"We have limited means, but thankfully, we did not have to spend much on Mohan's education, as he goes to a special school for children. I also looked after his education and guided him," Datta said. He holds high hopes for his younger brother.
"Mohan wants to pursue commerce and study more. I hope it will be fulfilled," Datta said.
In another part of the city, Sunil Giramkar is busy with coaching classes organised to help underprivileged children. And his mother Sheetal keeps a watchful eye, for all her daily troubles.
Sheetal is a wastepicker and has to go through the daily grind, but she never let anything come in the way of her son's education.
"Of course it is a struggle to send your son to school, especially when I am in this profession. There are struggles of money, spending time with my son. But the teachers in the school and in the learning centres take good care of Sunil. My son has told me that he wants to study commerce in junior college, and I will do all I can to help him," Sheetal added.
Meanwhile, the going got really tough for Dikshita Sonawane who had to accompany her mother Maya, a single parent, for wastepicking on most days. However, the St Andrews Girls School student still managed to study about two hours a day and cleared her exams with a score of 58%. This Bhavani Peth resident wants to become a police officer following her studies in the arts stream.
Avinash Gaikwad managed to score 71% in the SSC examinations, and is a cricket fanatic. He wishes to pursue a diploma before taking up work or further studies. His mother is a wastepicker at the university, while his father works in housekeeping.
"We do not want our children to go through what we go through every day. We will work harder and save more to ensure our son and younger daughter get the education that they need," his mother Surekha said.
Avinash secured his first-division score with a study schedule spanning 6-7 hours a day. "However, I would keep taking breaks in between and never studied for long at a go," he explained. Surekha wishes for him to become a government officer.
We have limited means, but thankfully, we did not have to spend much on Mohan's education, as he goes to a special school for children. I also looked after his education and guided him...Mohan wants to pursue commerce and study more. I hope it will be fulfilled