Mother-son duo among students from waste-picking families who shined in Maharashtra SSC results
Overcoming tremendous challenges and studying in circumstances that are often not conducive to learning, children from the waste-picking families have done well in the Class X results announced on Friday, many with flying colours.
Sixteen-year-old Manthan Ganesh Telange and his mother, Monika Ganesh Telange from Hadapsar vasti, appeared for the boards together. They scored 64 per cent and 51.8 per cent respectively. A single mother, Monika, said, “I always wanted to study but didn’t know how to fill out a form. My son insisted on pursuing my education and guided me throughout. I always thought I would fail, but all my co-workers and supervisor supported me. Being a single mother was very difficult for me, but if I can pass 10th, then who is stopping me from passing 12th?”
Manthan said he is preparing for NEET and wants to become a doctor to support his mother, and Monika is preparing for 12th.
Sairaj Tatyarao Sonawane from Bhawani Peth scored 81.20 per cent. He has seen both his parents work very hard so that he can pursue his education. “My father works as a bathroom cleaner, and my mother as an office cleaner. I couldn’t understand many things as I never got any tuition. I started working hard toward the end, and my parents were proud of me.
Sakshi Nagnath Kamble from Dhayari, who used to stay in a hostel since the beginning, has passed with 78 per cent. “I studied day and night to get a good percentage. My mother is a single mother and works as a house servant. She has worked hard to educate me and has provided me and my sister with everything. I have decided to study diligently and give her the best by becoming a doctor. My friends also supported me a lot.”
Harshada Raju Umap from Bibwewadi scored 77 per cent. “I passed class 8th and 9th during Covid. It was challenging to understand everything in the online mode. My mother is a rag picker, and my father is a sweeper. They have always supported me. I was a fine student, but my parents couldn’t afford tuition. So, I faced many difficulties in understanding certain subjects like maths,” she said.
“I am delighted that I finally scored well, and I want to become a police officer to give them a good life,” she added.
Sahil Someshwar Turukmare had his parents’ support from the beginning. “My father is a driver and used to work very hard to afford my tuition. My mother is a housewife and cares for everything so that I can study peacefully. I never faced any difficulties. I want to take up science and become an engineer to support my parents,” he said.
Jayesh Navgire, who lives with his sister and mother since his father left him fourteen years ago, has managed to secure 64 per cent.
Sonali Kisan Rathod, whose parents died ten years ago, was sent to Maher Institute. Sonali, who has only her brothers, scored 65 per cent marks.
Aditya Vyas, an activist in KKPKP, said, “We urge schools to be more proactive in supporting these children and their families. They still face issues like bureaucratic hassles while applying for scholarships, tacit discrimination, and sometimes a lack of academic support. The ball is in the school administrators’ court to stand up for these children who have shown nothing but a burning passion for learning through their hard work and dedication.”
