Rahul Mahato, Bhowra Birsa Kusht Colony, Dhanbad, Jharkhand

“I’m 23-year-old resident of Bhowra Birsa Kusht Colony, Dhanbad, Jharkhand. I have my mother, who is my only family. Both my parents were affected by leprosy. My mother cured from leprosy but unfortunately the disease succumbed my father in 2019.

Growing up in the colony, I have seen my parents struggling for daily sustenance. The stigma and discrimination forced him to go for begging. Slowly, when my father started becoming disable and bed ridden, my mother started engaging in begging too. I couldn’t able to bear the pain of my family’s struggle, therefore I also took the responsibility to contribute in the family. I started working in a ration shop as a part -timer from class X to XII.
My monthly income INR 1500 which help me to pay my tuition fee. After completing my higher secondary education in 2018, I learnt about His Holiness Dalai Lama-Sasakawa Scholarship supported by
@silfindia through an advertisement put on the notice board in the colony. I attended two days education workshop in Ranchi and applied for the scholarship.

 I got selected for the scholarship and completed my diploma in civil engineering from KK Polytechnic College, Dhanbad, Jharkhand. After completing my education, I got placed as a project engineer in an engineering company that works on govt projects. Currently, I’m working on Jal Jivan Mission Project.

I express my gratitude to Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation as the scholarship has transformed my life. Now I have a stable monthly income of INR 22000 which is enough for the daily sustenance of the family. The scholarship has given me the scope to complete my further education and apply for more good position and in good company. I have a comfortable life now. I actively encourage the children of my colony to apply for the scholarship. I give career guidance counselling to the children from our colony and make awareness about the support provided by S-ILF.
Thankyou S-ILF for restoring dignity in our lives.”