We all go through ups and downs in life but, only a few have the courage to rise up again without giving up. And, this inspiring story shared by the Humans of Bombay on their Instagram page is all about that.
His father always taught him about the importance of keeping the lakes clean. But, one fine day his father had an unfortunate incident. He slipped from the boat and injured his leg while working. Later, he was diagnosed with leg cancer due to the toxic lake water and he passed away.
When we took him to the doctor, we found out that Abbu had leg cancer & that the toxic lake water might have caused it–within months, he passed away.
I was 8 when the responsibility of Ammi & my 2 sisters fell on me. Ammi wasn’t well, so I left school & took Abbu’s job.
Everyday, at 6 AM, I’d set out to collect trash & by evening, I’d have 10-15 kgs of plastic bottles, polythene & other waste. I’d sell it to the kabadiwala who then sent it to a recycling unit–I’d earn Rs.150-200 a day.
Upon seeing the impact I’d made, I thought–what if my friends helped me? The cleaning process would be much faster. So, I motivated my friends & other students to do the same.
After months of hard work, his efforts bore fruits and he was being praised for his achievements. The word spread like wildfire and a documentary maker also made a film on him and his life in 2017 and other good things started happening in his life.
In 2017, a documentary maker made a film on me. The Srinagar Municipal Corporation made me the ambassador of cleanliness; even the PM praised me. The corporation then gave me Rs.10,000 per 1.5 months to spread awareness!
We’ve wronged our lakes & we need to make amends. It enrages me to see anyone throwing trash in the water; I give them a mouthful.
I want to buy a big house for Ammi & put my younger sister in a reputed school.
Now, all he hopes is for his dad to rest in peace and to be happy wherever he is. And all he wants from us is to keep our waters clean.
I’ve abided by his teaching all my life–he was a good man & he died doing something we all should’ve been doing; keeping our country, it’s waters clean.