When the going gets tough, the tough get going. This seems to be Avinash’s mantra as he wades through the lows of life like a swan gliding through the turbulent waters.
But what is that makes him different from the other well-heeled 16-year-olds -- his hunger to seek knowledge even while facing unfavourable circumstances.
Miles away from living a cushioned and sheltered existence, this 16-year-old lanky teenager is trying to make the most of his present so as to warrant a rosy future. He wants to dream and achieve big just like other affluent adolescents. He wants to carve a tomorrow where there’s no place for hopelessness and helplessness. All because of one constant and guiding factor in his life – Aarohan.
Aarohan has truly been a harbinger of hope for scores of kids like him who are trying to find a sense of identity in an urban milieu.
Avinash’s innings at Aarohan began in the year 2006 when he migrated to New Delhi from Bihar, a state in India, along with his parents and two siblings in search of employment. Delhi was a culture shock for this youngster who found it difficult to adjust to his new surroundings especially in the absence of a suitable source of livelihood and accommodation. It was a testing time for the entire family who was trying to find a firm footing amidst all the chaos.
There’s a light at the end of the dark tunnel goes a saying and the light in Avinash’s case turned out to be Aarohan where he was referred to by one of his acquaintances.
Aarohan embraced this hapless family wholeheartedly by becoming its emotional anchor and helping it to start from the scratch. Reminiscing those days Avinash says, “When we shifted to Delhi, we had nothing. It was difficult to make two ends meet. Aarohan helped us with basic necessities. Without their support, it wouldn’t have been possible to survive in this big city.”
Just to ensure that this displacement didn’t jeopardize the children’s education and future, Avinash and his siblings were coaxed to enroll at our centre which they did and this move paid off. From a gawky, shy, insecure and unconfident boy who struggled to cope up in every sphere of life including academics, Aarohan brought about a sea-change in his personality and outlook towards life. “Coming to Delhi was a major change. In village, my thinking was restricted but Aarohan altered it by exposing me to a world which I thought never existed.”
“Initially, I wasn’t very forthcoming about approaching people for want of confidence. Even striking a conversation with my friends was a tedious chore for me. Gradually, my personality blossomed through the constant encouragement and support of Rani Maam, Anju Maam and other staff members at Aarohan and, slowly, I came into my own.”
Whatever I am today is because of Aarohan.”
It’s not that Avinash’s life has undergone a complete transformation. The family is still struggling to cope up with their finances. His father is a small-time vendor who barely manages to earn two square meals for his wife and three children. But what has changed is their perspective about how to lead their life in the future. Thanks to Aarohan’s motivation and Avinash’s never-say-die attitude.
The grueling schedule that Avinash follows everyday validates this spirit. He divides his time equally between Aarohan and his school. “Coming to Aarohan has become a ritual, something I look forward to every day.” His day at Aarohan begins at 8.30 in the morning wherein after putting an hour at learning computers; he goes home, completes his homework and readies himself for a long day at school which lasts till 6 in the evening. He’s back at Aarohan by 6.30 for the after-school tuition support which continues till 9.30 in the night. It takes another half-an-hour by foot to reach home. He doesn’t carry any food for the evening and goes on an empty stomach, sometimes out of choice but mostly out of compulsion. “I have become habitual of not eating. It doesn’t matter if I get to eat or not. You have to compromise on something to earn something. I’m struggling because I want to become something. Struggles inspire me to continue.”
He’s vociferous in thanking his parents for unconditionally supporting him in his education, particularly his mother who has always pushed him in his endeavours. For a poverty-stricken family where more earning hands mean more income, letting their child pursue his dreams is no mean feat. On his part, he has never burdened his parents with any inappropriate demands. “I have adapted to the situation and have never asked for anything from them. I don’t feel bad about it. I know I have to build my capacity to that level wherein I can be financially independent when I grow up to seek those comforts which me and my parents have always aspired for,” he says nonchalantly.
Blessed with good oratorical skills, Avinash has also excelled in academics. His achievement is stupendous considering he was like a blank page when had joined our centre. He didn’t know how to read or write and it took one-and-a-half years of rigorous preparation to get him admitted to Grade 6 in the school. It was also the first time that one of Aarohan’s students was admitted to the senior stream of the school. Now, it’s a different story altogether. In the recently held class X board examination, he scored a CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Assessment) of 8.4 out of 10. What a way to go.
One of his best and endearing attributes is his desire to imbibe good things from everywhere, be it books, newspapers or his surroundings. As he says, “That makes me the person I am today. Now I’m sure of myself. Though I’m striving to become a more positive person and take less stress.”
For a person who was neither born with a proverbial silver spoon nor a sound lineage, it is a commendable achievement to take life head on.
Avinash’s story endorses that it’s not impossible to dream big and, may be, make it happen if your head, heart and hands work in unison.
