New Delhi: All Shobharam Parihar ever wanted was to fulfil his son’s dreams of becoming a “bada afsar” (senior official). He never thought help would arrive in unexpected ways.
The story of Shobharam, a daily wage labourer, cycling 106 km with his son Aseesh Parihar, a student of Class 10, to ensure the latter did not miss his supplementary exams was widely shared on social media Thursday.
Within hours, business tycoon Anand Mahindra, the chairman of Mahindra Group, came forward to support the boy’s education, calling Shobharam “a heroic parent“.
A resident of Byadipura in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district, 45-year-old Shobharam told ThePrint that he doesn’t know who Mahindra is, but was aware of “Mahindra scooters”.
“He must be a big man. I was told by someone from the Mahindra Group that they have offered to help and support my child’s education. I am happy to know that. I only want my son to get a good education,” said Shobharam on a phone call made using a mobile he borrowed from someone.
“Nobody knew us before. We are poor people. We never thought somebody would try to speak with us, know our names, or take interest in our struggles,” he added.
ThePrint tried to get in touch with the Mahindra Group via calls and emails but failed to receive a response until the publication of this report.
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Cycling through challenges
Under the Madhya Pradesh government’s ‘Ruk Jana Nahin’ scheme, students who fail to clear Class 10 and 12 board exams are given another chance. These supplementary exams began on 17 August for the students of Class 10.
For Aseesh, who had to take four papers, the examination centre was at the district headquarters, 106 km away from his village. With no public transport available due to the lockdown, Shobharam decided to pedal all the way, with Aseesh riding pillion on the cycle carrier.
“We had no other option. I want my child to study and achieve something in his life. I could only study till Class 12 and I wish my child does not have to live a life like mine,” said Shobharam, whose earnings have been hugely affected by the pandemic.
He added, “I have no fixed source of income. Sometimes I get Rs 100 a day and on some days I get Rs 200. Sometimes I don’t earn anything for a week.”
According to Shobharam, his son couldn’t perform well in his board exams due to lack of resources and guidance amid the pandemic.
“The teachers stopped giving lessons when the schools got shut after the lockdown. I struggle throughout the day to earn and only come back home at night. My wife is not educated and cannot teach the kids,” said Shobharam, who has two other sons — one studying in Class 7 and another in Class 4.
Determined to help his son take the supplementary papers, Shobharam left his village on the morning of 17 August without any idea on how and where the father-son duo will manage their accommodation. They carried just enough ration for three days since Aseesh had to take four exams between 18 and 24 August.
“It was raining at some places and some kind strangers gave us shelter for the night. We also stayed at a temple near Dhar one day and reached the examination centre around 8 am on the morning of 18 August,” said Shobharam.
Administration willing to help, but had no idea
Sixteen-year-old Aseesh said he was happy that his father’s struggle was being recognised. On being asked what he wanted to become in future, he just had two words — “bada afsar“. He has already taken three papers and was left with one more exam on 24 August.
Soon after their story went viral, the administration had also come forward to help the father and son. They are currently living at a government-run hostel in Dhar.
Speaking to ThePrint, Dinesh Dubey, district education officer of Dhar, said, “We only got to know their story after they reached here. The father did not reach out to any government teacher or officer and just decided to come here on his own. If he had asked somebody from the administration to help, we would have provided him every possible support.”
Dubey also said the supplementary exams are taken care of by the district education office after the state authorities hand over the list of candidates who have applied.
According to him, since students had applied online, it was difficult to know their location. “Since the number of applicants is less as compared to regular examinations, there are only a few examination centres within the district.”
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