23 January,2011 07:14 AM IST | | Kranti Vibhute
Meet the rickshaw driver who spends thousands to ensure that his children and wife get the best of education
While parents of school-going children are cribbing about exorbitant fees and protesting across the city,
rickshaw driver Ishwar Jadhav doesn't mind the pinch. Jadhav, who resides in Thane, has enrolled both his kids at a CBSE school and has also encouraged his wife to complete her graduation. In the process, he often ends up paying Rs 1,650 per month on individual school fees for his children.
Ishwar Jadhav in the rickshaw he drives. Pic/ kranti vibhute
Even though he was driving an auto on shifts, he was firm about putting his children in a good school to give them quality education. He admits that since he was not well-educated himself, he wanted his children to enjoy the benefit of education.
"Lots of people tried to dissuade me from sending my children to one of the best CBSE schools in Thane. But that didn't deter me. I pay Rs 1,650 per month for my son who studies in class 5, and my daughter who is in class 9. Apart from that, I also pay Rs 1,000 for school bus services," he said.u00a0
Jadhav admits that there have been times when he and his wife have faced starvation when he was out of a job. "Today driving an auto on rent in shifts, I am educating my children as well as my wife who has always supported me. I want her to start her own business in the future," he said. Jadhav had to drop out of school after his father expired when he was just 10.
After 20 years of driving an autorickshaw and doing odd jobs as a coolie and working at shops, he has saved money and taken a loan to buy a cab for himself. "I intend to work hard to ensure that my children complete their education and my wife completes her graduation from Yashwantrao Chavan Open University."
Arun Ighe, general secretary of the Rashtrawadi Rickshaw Driver Owners Association, said, "Most of the rickshaw drivers tend to waste their earnings. Jadhav stands as an example."
