In 2006, he came in search of a second home and eventually, AIM for Seva became his home sweet home. This is the inspiring story of Rakesh Katiya from Gram Chandipura in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh.
He joined the Bapu-Buddh AIM for Seva Chatralayam for Boys, Indore, Madhya Pradesh when in class 6. To his good fortune, Rakesh Katiya bagged admission in a private school and that whole learning experience sowed in big seeds of change, early on life. “While growing up in the village, it was largely an unregulated and carefree existence,” recollects Rakesh.
During, his high school years, Rakesh shifted to the Hoshangabad Chatralayam (Smt. Jamunabai Chanchlani AIM for Seva Chatralayam for Boys) and in college years, it was back to the good old, Indore hostel. He completed his graduation in B.Sc. (Computer Science) from the Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore in 2018.
A year later, Rakesh joined the newly launched Swami Dayananda Saraswati Vidyalaya, Padali Khurd village, Khargone district, Madhya Pradesh. Initially, he assisted in marketing and admissions before graduating to become a high school teacher in mathematics (classes 9 to 12). “It seemed so surreal at first, from an AIM for Seva student to AIM for Seva teacher,” recounts Rakesh.
Along the way, he added two more degrees to his belt, D.El.Ed in 2023 and M.A. in Hindi literature in 2025.
Rakesh adds that his ambition to become a teacher came from the BC (before Chatralayam) to the AC (after Chatralayam) moment. “Villages like mine still lack access to quality basic education and while initially, I battled homesickness at the Indore hostel but eventually, education became the way of life,” sums up Rakesh.
He adds that he learnt a lot from his Chatralayam friends who helped him with his studies. “To reflect, I got a second home and family,” says Rakesh with a smile. “We went to school together, studied together, did masti together and if anyone fell sick, we all rallied together and took turns to care for the sick pal. Come to think of it, these are all small, small things but go a long way in shaping one’s personality,” he says.
In particular, he gives special mention of dost Vikram Kushwah. “Actually, I was pretty weak in maths during the middle school years. But Vikram inspired me to do well,” he reveals.
Rakesh’s role model and mentor is Swami Aishwaryananda Saraswati ji, the coordinator of AIM for Seva’s projects in Madhya Pradesh. “I would like to be with him and associated with whatever he does,” concludes a grateful Rakesh.
In sum total, it’s been a fascinating 21 year journey for Rakesh with AIM for Seva and continuing.
Keeping going, Rakesh. We are super proud of you.