Sharing this with you guys to promote this man who is doing his bit towards education
Disclaimer : Article not written by me
Boarding a 10.29 pm Borivali train from Dadar, I was overjoyed to get a seat so that I could take a nap to abate my headache. Putting some relaxation music on, I closed my eyes which popped open when I heard a man begging in English. I already knew the man, for he has a CNN-IBN real hero award conferred on him: Sandeep Desai. His mission, to collect funds from the local trains to start free schools in remote locations devoid of education across India. One more thing I knew about the Hero, he was a professor at SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, a premier B-School of the country and 2nd best in Mumbai.
A humble 50-something man, who has already lost the graceful sound of his voice because of 3 years of begging: all he had was a rucksack, a donation-box and a few prints of newspaper cut-outs about him by all the news corporations of the country. He begs in 4 different languages - Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and English.
When he was done with the coach, he took a moment’s rest, waiting for the Bandra station, to get off the train. I offered him some water which earned me a humble smile from the Hero. I couldn't contain myself from questioning him about his reason for all his efforts. He took a deep breath and answered patiently. He told me that he used to file public litigations against the schools that charge hefty fees and ask the parents for donations. He had filed a total of 32 litigations. During one of the hearings, the Judge asked him if he had ever tried running a school on his own. Obviously he hadn’t. The Judge said, “Try running a school and see how difficult it is to manage them.” To which Professor promptly replied, “Is that a challenge or a suggestion? If I were to start some schools, I would run them for free.” And thus started his journey. By the time he finished his story, came the announcement: 'Next station Bandra'. Professor had to get down there, and I followed him. To experience the joy of talking to a superhero.
When we got down, a man bid him goodbye. I asked the professor about the man out of curiosity. He told me that the man works at Mahalaxmi Race Course (Horse Racing Course in Mumbai) and that he had offered to talk to the Head of the Race Course for Donation to Shloka Foundation. Well, not surprising. Every soul that has had a chance to meet Professor has been touched and inspired.
At the station waiting for the next train, I asked him how difficult his first time was. He smiled at me and answered, "The first day, I started out from my nearest station, Goregaon, with the box in my bag. I couldn't muster the courage to take it out. I reached Santacruz (4 stations from Goregaon) and decided, if I don't do it now, I won't be able to do it ever and thus came out the box and started my journey."
We now boarded a Virar fast train in which he would get down at Andheri and, of course, I would follow. He started with his routine 'begging' and I couldn't get my eyes off him. And just as I was watching him, I felt my cheeks getting wet and my vision blurring. ‘This man here has single- handed started a revolution. This man, despite of being extraordinarily capable, spends his time collecting alms, to improve the system of education. This man is a synonym for HOPE. This man is what I would call my SUPERHERO.’ I contained my emotions and looked back in the coach. I was awe-struck. People were chipping in all different denominations into the already-full donation-box. We were about to reach Andheri when I asked him how much he collects in a day. He told me that on an average day the collection is around 7000-8000 rupees depending on the denominations donated.
We got down at Andheri and I asked him how many schools have opened up till now and how much money he had collected. He has collected Rs. 80 lakh (INR 8mn), most of which came from collecting alms, and that they had already opened 5 schools, which are currently teaching 480 kids. Among the languages, they teach English and the respective local language.
We boarded our final train, a Borivali slow, so that he would get down at Goregaon and I'll continue alone till the last station. When done with the 'begging' he shared one of his experiences with me before getting down. One day, a friend and of his, who is a fellow trustee at the Shloka Foundation and also a communications expert said that he'll join him and see what the commuters said behind his back. So while professor was 'begging', his friend maintained distance and observed the people's reaction. There was this one person hanging by the gate of the train who said, "Such a prominent person is begging for money to start free schools and we are chewing Gutkha here. Sir I'll eat one Gutkha less today and donate the money for a good cause." He even asked his friends to do the same to which one replied, "He might use your money to fulfill his own needs". To which he replied, "To give is my responsibility, what he does with the money is his look out.” He then forced his friends to give money, went to the other side of the compartment and put in the money in the donation box. Professor's friend observed this conversation. When they got down, Professor’s friend told him, "People are with you. You will be successful."
This experience touched me and the many people who have witnessed the same. If you're moved too, you can help the Shloka foundation. Professor Desai is now a visiting faculty at top institutes and also does guest lectures.
Website: http://shlokamissionaries
Disclaimer : Article not written by me
Boarding a 10.29 pm Borivali train from Dadar, I was overjoyed to get a seat so that I could take a nap to abate my headache. Putting some relaxation music on, I closed my eyes which popped open when I heard a man begging in English. I already knew the man, for he has a CNN-IBN real hero award conferred on him: Sandeep Desai. His mission, to collect funds from the local trains to start free schools in remote locations devoid of education across India. One more thing I knew about the Hero, he was a professor at SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, a premier B-School of the country and 2nd best in Mumbai.
A humble 50-something man, who has already lost the graceful sound of his voice because of 3 years of begging: all he had was a rucksack, a donation-box and a few prints of newspaper cut-outs about him by all the news corporations of the country. He begs in 4 different languages - Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and English.
When he was done with the coach, he took a moment’s rest, waiting for the Bandra station, to get off the train. I offered him some water which earned me a humble smile from the Hero. I couldn't contain myself from questioning him about his reason for all his efforts. He took a deep breath and answered patiently. He told me that he used to file public litigations against the schools that charge hefty fees and ask the parents for donations. He had filed a total of 32 litigations. During one of the hearings, the Judge asked him if he had ever tried running a school on his own. Obviously he hadn’t. The Judge said, “Try running a school and see how difficult it is to manage them.” To which Professor promptly replied, “Is that a challenge or a suggestion? If I were to start some schools, I would run them for free.” And thus started his journey. By the time he finished his story, came the announcement: 'Next station Bandra'. Professor had to get down there, and I followed him. To experience the joy of talking to a superhero.
When we got down, a man bid him goodbye. I asked the professor about the man out of curiosity. He told me that the man works at Mahalaxmi Race Course (Horse Racing Course in Mumbai) and that he had offered to talk to the Head of the Race Course for Donation to Shloka Foundation. Well, not surprising. Every soul that has had a chance to meet Professor has been touched and inspired.
At the station waiting for the next train, I asked him how difficult his first time was. He smiled at me and answered, "The first day, I started out from my nearest station, Goregaon, with the box in my bag. I couldn't muster the courage to take it out. I reached Santacruz (4 stations from Goregaon) and decided, if I don't do it now, I won't be able to do it ever and thus came out the box and started my journey."
We now boarded a Virar fast train in which he would get down at Andheri and, of course, I would follow. He started with his routine 'begging' and I couldn't get my eyes off him. And just as I was watching him, I felt my cheeks getting wet and my vision blurring. ‘This man here has single- handed started a revolution. This man, despite of being extraordinarily capable, spends his time collecting alms, to improve the system of education. This man is a synonym for HOPE. This man is what I would call my SUPERHERO.’ I contained my emotions and looked back in the coach. I was awe-struck. People were chipping in all different denominations into the already-full donation-box. We were about to reach Andheri when I asked him how much he collects in a day. He told me that on an average day the collection is around 7000-8000 rupees depending on the denominations donated.
We got down at Andheri and I asked him how many schools have opened up till now and how much money he had collected. He has collected Rs. 80 lakh (INR 8mn), most of which came from collecting alms, and that they had already opened 5 schools, which are currently teaching 480 kids. Among the languages, they teach English and the respective local language.
We boarded our final train, a Borivali slow, so that he would get down at Goregaon and I'll continue alone till the last station. When done with the 'begging' he shared one of his experiences with me before getting down. One day, a friend and of his, who is a fellow trustee at the Shloka Foundation and also a communications expert said that he'll join him and see what the commuters said behind his back. So while professor was 'begging', his friend maintained distance and observed the people's reaction. There was this one person hanging by the gate of the train who said, "Such a prominent person is begging for money to start free schools and we are chewing Gutkha here. Sir I'll eat one Gutkha less today and donate the money for a good cause." He even asked his friends to do the same to which one replied, "He might use your money to fulfill his own needs". To which he replied, "To give is my responsibility, what he does with the money is his look out.” He then forced his friends to give money, went to the other side of the compartment and put in the money in the donation box. Professor's friend observed this conversation. When they got down, Professor’s friend told him, "People are with you. You will be successful."
This experience touched me and the many people who have witnessed the same. If you're moved too, you can help the Shloka foundation. Professor Desai is now a visiting faculty at top institutes and also does guest lectures.
Website: http://shlokamissionaries
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