Boy from Makadmare tribe clears Goa board's Class X

Margao: For the Makadmare (Wanarmare) community, a nomadic tribe that has made Goa their home for the last three generations, it was a moment of pride when Ganesh Pawar figured in the list of successful candidates at the SSCE exams, the results of which were declared on Wednesday. With a score of 44%, Ganesh, a student of Vikas High School, Valpem, Virnoda, is the first student from the Makadmare tribe in Goa to pass the SSC exams.
The milestone is particularly momentous considering the persistent socio-economic challenges that the Makadmare tribe have been facing in Goa – denial of admission in schools owing to unavailability of birth certificates as their births never got registered, poverty-induced malnutrition, inaccessibility to fair price shops as they had no ration cards, as they had no permanent address, et al. Over the years, a sustained campaign by social activists has significantly improved their living conditions.
Ganesh expressed his deep sense of gratitude for “the opportunities that education has opened up for me.”
“My journey through school was challenging, but it taught me that perseverance and support can change our destinies,” Ganesh said. “This achievement is not mine alone; it belongs to my entire community. I hope my story will inspire other children from my community to pursue their dreams and believe in the possibility of a brighter future.”
Peter Borges, chairperson, Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said that Ganesh’s accomplishment marked a significant milestone in their ongoing efforts to ensure education for every child.
“His success reaffirms our belief that every child can overcome barriers and achieve their potential with the right support and opportunities. This is a victory for Ganesh, a victory for the Katkari community, and a victory for all of us, who believe in the power of education to transform lives,” Borges said.