From Malwani to Maryland: Two Mumbai teens head to US for year-long programme

Riya with her mother at their home in Goregaon on Sunday

Two city teenagers from modest backgrounds will fly to the US tomorrow to spend a year there under a youth exchange programme. While Malad's Azeem Shaikh, 17, will get to live with a family from Maryland, Goregaon girl Riya Yadav, 16, will be heading to Texas. The two are among 40 youngsters selected from 900 applications across 28 cities in the country. They all had to clear a rigorous five-stage selection process.

To be eligible for the Youth Exchange Scholarship (YES) organised by AFS and the US Embassy in New Delhi, Azeem and Riya passed a test that included a written exam, interview, English speaking test and group discussion. They will continue their education in America for a year.

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Azim Shaikh with his father Ibrahim at their Malwani home on Sunday. Pics/Satej Shinde

Azeem is a Std XII Science student at Nagindas Khandwala College (NL College) and lives at MHB Colony near Malwani Gate No.8. His father is a technician of Pure Fire Machine and his mother is a housewife. The family hails from Nandurbar.

Azeem, who cleared his Std X from St. Paul English High School at Malwani, said, "I always participated in educational activities in school. That's why I got this opportunity to be a part of this project. I will continue to strive for more success in the future." Azeem dreams of becoming an engineer. The school's principal Rajkumar Rao said, "Forty children have been selected from all over India of which two are from Mumbai. Azeem is from our school and this is a proud moment for us. He belongs to a lower-middle-class family. He is a promising student. Azeem will live with an American host family and continue his education for a year."

Riya's father works as a security guard

His father Ibrahim was excited. "It is the wish of every father to see his child touch new heights in life. I'm sure he will shine in the US and bring glory to the country," he said. Local MLA and guardian minister Aslam Shaikh and Azeem him $100 as a token of appreciation.

The mood was equally jubilant at Riya's home at Murli Upadhyay Chawl in Goregaon. She is studying FYJC-Science at Patkar College in the area and wants to become a doctor. She passed her SSC exam at Pragnya Bodhini High School. Her father works as a security guard. "I can't wait to reach America, be with my host family and start going to school there. I want to teach them about our rich culture and learn about theirs," said a beaming Riya.

Azeem Shaikh's father works as a mechanic in a private firm

Sunil Patel, the principal of her school, said, "Riya was always a bright student. She is the third student of our school who has been selected for this cultural exchange programme. She comes from a financially deprived background and it gives us immense pleasure to see her excel this way."

MNS leader Shalini Thackeray congratulated Riya, while a politician handed her a cheque of Rs 21,000. Azeem and Riya will leave for Delhi Tuesday to join the other students who have been selected under YES.

40
No. of students out of 900 selected for YES

94%
Riya's score in SSC exam