“Amid the struggle, strength emerges, and with every challenge faced, resilience surges. Through darkness and doubt, I find my way, with hope as my guide, I seize each new day.”
Pune: The desire to pursue education and achieve something until the end is impossible, yet even impossible things can be made possible, as demonstrated by this woman from Pune named Varsha Bakshi. At the age of 53, Varsha fulfilled her dream of appearing for the tenth-grade examination and even passed with a score of 50%. Currently, Varsha runs a mess in the Gokhalenagar area of Pune.
She had always had a liking for education since childhood, but due to the financial situation of her family, she couldn’t pursue her studies. Being from a large family, she also had responsibilities towards her younger siblings.
During her childhood, she used to sell calendars in Shaniwar Wada Square, sell Vada Pav and Bhaji, and work at a stationery store. While she was in school, she was attentive, but her education was limited only until the seventh grade.
Even after getting married, struggles continued to accompany them. Waking up at five in the morning, ensuring that no one in the sleeping household would be disturbed, Varsha would start her day by preparing lunchboxes and breakfast by seven o’clock. After that, she would perform her daily prayers, and for those who had to leave in the morning, she would serve tea. In the evening, from 8 to 10, there would be a chaos of serving dinner. This was their daily routine.
Despite all the hardships in life, their desire for education never diminished. They never accepted defeat. And then, finally, it happened! In the Adult Education Center in Shaniwar, Ramabai Ranade, they resumed their education. There was no time for studies because of the mess. But they managed to study from 1 to 2 AM after completing all the chores. After passing the eighth and ninth grades, this year they appeared for the tenth-grade exam and passed with a score of 50%.
After the results, everyone applauded their achievement. After that, they have a desire to do something new. They have a son and both the son and daughter are photographers. Salute to their determination and enthusiasm at this age of retirement. Wishing them all the best in their future endeavours.
When I was young, I wanted to help my mother with her household chores, and my father used to drink alcohol. I didn’t even have a dress to go to school, and I had to stay absent for 15-15 days due to my father’s visits to the hospital. Because my brother was younger, I had to take care of him. If I didn’t go to work, we wouldn’t have any money, so I had to leave school and start working.
My desire for education remained unfulfilled, but because of the encouragement from my husband and children, I learned. Even the school provided me with a good foundation. Today, I earn money from the mess, but passing the tenth grade after so much struggle is a matter of joy for me. I still have a strong desire to learn more in the future.
Varsha Bakshi (53-year-old woman who passed the tenth grade) From waking up in the morning to going to bed at night, their work continues without interruption. They don’t even have a fixed time to sleep at night. They don’t know when they get the chance to rest, but before everyone else wakes up, they are already preparing the meals. Taking care of us and managing everything, they have fulfilled their dreams today. We salute their enthusiasm and determination.
do make sure to check out a tale on friendship
such AN inspiring story