Pune Celebrates Academic Triumphs of Waste Pickers' Children
The annual Jyoti Savitrichi Lekare program illuminated Pune's Tilak Smarak Mandir on Thursday, transforming the venue into a celebration of remarkable academic achievements by children of waste pickers. Organized by the Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat (KKPKP), the event witnessed the gathering of over 500 waste pickers and their children, creating an atmosphere filled with pride and collective joy.
Inspiring Stories of Academic Excellence Against All Odds
This year's ceremony honored 124 children who cleared the 10th standard and 111 students who passed the 12th standard, each with unique stories of perseverance. Among the standout achievers was Bismillah Mulla, who secured an impressive 82% in Class 10 by studying science from videos on her father's mobile phone. Chetan Naiknavde scored 79% despite losing his father during the pandemic and being raised by his grandmother after his mother left.
The event also celebrated Rohit Mohite, who cleared his Class 10 exam on the fifth attempt and later designed a stress meter during college, and Arya Pagare, who balanced boxing training with academics to score 65% while challenging social expectations.
Intergenerational Resilience and Dignity
The program highlighted how resilience spans generations within waste picker communities. Two waste pickers themselves, Priyanka Kamble and Komal Gaikwad, passed their Class 10 exams while continuing their daily work, demonstrating that education knows no age barriers.
Several students shared emotional accounts of their parents' difficult journeys to reclaim dignity in a society that often marginalizes them. Their testimonies underscored how their parents' strength has fundamentally shaped the aspirations of the younger generation.
The cultural segment featured a powerful play titled Maze Bhavishya Mazyach Haati (My future is in my hands), performed by waste pickers and their children. The performance vividly depicted the struggles of vasti life and the challenges of accessing education.
Institutional Support and Future Commitments
Pavneet Kaur, Additional Municipal Commissioner of Pune Municipal Corporation, expressed deep admiration for the children's accomplishments. SWaCH has played a major role in keeping Pune clean for the last 20 years. While planning the city's waste management systems, we will work with SWaCH and build future policy through dialogue, she committed.
The event also saw the presence of actor-writer-director Sarang Sathaye and District Social Welfare Officer Radhakisan Devdhe, who joined in celebrating the community's achievements.
A significant moment came with the launch of Himmatiche Varasdar, a collection of inspiring life stories of waste pickers' children. The program also honored Anju Mane, who had recently returned Rs 10 lakh in cash found in the waste, with her daughter Diksha speaking about her mother's unwavering commitment to education despite family pressures.
KKPKP, established in 1993 as a union of waste pickers, has been organizing this program for many years while advocating for policy improvements in education schemes for cleanliness workers at state and national levels. The organization's efforts led to the creation of SWaCH, India's largest waste-picker-owned cooperative, which enables thousands of waste pickers to earn dignified livelihoods while supporting their children's education.
