Sagar Prahlad Shinde

Sagar, 12, goes to St. Xaviers high school and is in class 5. He has been part of dance and drama and has had roles in Akanksha’s last two musicals. Sagar has been in Akanksha for five years and is now in level 7. He has now convinced his father to let their home be used free of cost as a study center for Doorstep School, another NGO. Here is what Sagar has to say about himself:

Once in a land lived a boy called Sagar. He came from a very poor background. He had a lot of dreams besides becoming something in life. He said I will earn a lot of money and study a lot and with that money I will open schools and also a charity for the poor because he didn’t want to see poverty.

His land’s name was Raigad. He had to face many problems. In that time there was war, violence and fights and drought. So my parents came to Mumbai and my father married twice.

Now I will tell you something about myself. Do you want to know – yes or no?

I have fair skin. I am very creative. I am very intelligent. I like playing cricket and am also very good at it. I speak in English and read in English. I don’t want to hide any weakness. I can’t control my anger.

I would like to say something about my community. When my father drinks there is a fight in our house. My brother fights with me. My father abuses me and when I talk in English my father says don’t speak in English.

In my community the people do not keep clean. They spit. They fight with each other. When there is a fight everyone wants to see but not one with go in and solve the problem. In our community they don’t take their child to the bathroom they make them sit on the road in front of their house. Many people are drunk.

I want to tell you what I have learned from Akanksha. I have learned many things like acting, speaking in English, languages, the wonders of the world, how to comprehend an article, how to read the newspaper, how to find an answer, how to present in front of many people, manners, how to talk to people, dancing, information of HIV and life skills and many more things.

Would you like to know who inspires me? I am inspired by my Anjali didi, Manisha didi and many of my friends.

I have changed in the way I play, study, read, behave, and in my qualities.

Do you want to know what is important for me in my life? My study, future, family, friends, didis and my life and dream. My dream is to become a doctor.