What does it take to raise yourself out of a life of poverty and deprivation and become a successful professional? It takes grit, perseverance and a little help from friends. The rags to riches (not just in terms of money) tale of Dr Suwas Darvekar, featured on the Humans of Bombay Facebook page, is an inspiring lesson in how to live life.
"My father met with an accident while we were growing up and became visually impaired which put our entire family in a state of poverty... it was difficult to even have one square meal a day," Dr Darvekar says in the post, shared on Thursday evening. Even though the family was hard pressed for cash, Dr Darvekar always managed to pay his school fees thanks to his teachers and friends.
From studying under streetlamps to working odd jobs for some extra money, Dr Darvekar did his best to put himself through school. However, in class 12, he almost lost a year because he was short on the fees by Rs 50. "As I was walking home, I met a friend at the bus stop and as soon as I told him my situation, he removed a 50 Rupee note then and there and said 'this never happened, you owe me nothing,'" he says on Facebook.
The support for this former slum-dweller continued until he became a practicing dentist and started his own clinic. So now, after years of help, he's decided to give back to the community.
You must read the entire post below to know more about Dr Darvekar and the work he's doing now.