HSC exams: Waste-collectors' children do well

PUNE : HSC students Pravin Phavare and Sheetal Kamble`s parents can barely meet ends. They somehow managed to send their children to school, sometimes even sacrificing basic things like food. But Pravin and Sheetal have ensured that their parents` hardships haven`t gone futile by securing first class in the HSC exams.
While Pravin`s mother is a waste-picker, Sheetal`s father sells scrap material and mother works as domestic help.
"We came to Pune in search of work about 15 years ago from a hamlet in Osmanabad. We came here with nothing and survived the initial years somehow. But one thing was certain in our minds that we want to educate both our children, so that they don`t meet the same fate as ours," Saudagar Kamble, Sheetals` father, said.
Sheetal, a student of the Vimlabai Garware College, scored 62% in science stream. "I have seen my parents endure difficult circumstances in life and that made me resolve to excel in studies. I know my 62% isn`t very good, but if I manage to get admission in a good college for further studies, I have promised myself to do better," Sheetal said.
The Kamble family lives in a small tenement in a slum in Warje, a place filled with chaos for most of the day, making it difficult for Sheetal to concentrate on her studies. "It was impossible to study at home during the day, so I would take rest during the day and study all night when it was peaceful. We don`t have enough space at home, but my mother always ensured that I was comfortable and encouraged me to study. I want to see my parents in a better situation some day," Sheetal said.
Pravin Dhavare too has undergone similar difficulties in life and seeing his mother work as a waste-picker, he made up his mind to do well in studies.
A resident of Ramnagar Vasti in Malwadi, Pravin`s mother Padmini sees a glimmer of hope for better future after finding out her son`s result of 70% (commerce). After the death of her husband a few years ago, Padmini raised her son and two younger daughters single-handedly and is educating all of them. "I have never attended school, but have done everything so that my son can attend one. I have even sacrificed food sometimes, so that Pravin and his siblings get enough to eat. He is a sincere son and caring brother and I am sure he will change our lives," Padmini said.
Laxmi Narayan of the Kagad Kach Patra Kashtkari Panchayat, an organization working for the welfare of waste-pickers, said more and more children of the KKPKP members are taking up education and doing well. "Not only are they doing well in studies but are taking up different professions. A few of them also want to pursue administrative services. We conduct regular workshops and ensure that they pursue extra-curricular activities too. Some girls are doing well in sports and fine arts. This year, we have done a complete audit of KKPKP`s education programme which showed that many are doing graduation, which is big change from what it was 10 years ago," Laxmi Narayan said.