An alumnus from the Bapu-Buddh AIM for Seva Chatralayam for Boys, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Vikash Kaurav is now working as a Sanskrit teacher with Chaitanya Techno School at Perumbakkam, Chennai. He teaches students from classes 6 to 10 and is drawing a salary of Rs. 25,000 per month.
Vikash who hails from Simariya Kalan village in Madhya Pradesh has been an academically bright student throughout. He completed his studies while living at the Smt. Krishna Rani Papneja AIM for Chatralayam for Boys, Kareli, Madhya Pradesh. Vikash did his BA Sanskrit (he is a silver medallist) and B.Ed Sanskrit from from SCSVMV University, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.
He is a quick learner in the new environs. As classes have not fully resumed at the campus, Vikash is taking online classes from his phone in his tiny PG (paying guest) accommodation near the school as well as going to the institution. “Nowadays, students are very intelligent and extremely inquisitive. As today’s students have lot more exposure, many of them end up asking ‘out of portion’ questions all the time. So, we have to be well prepared at the beginning of each class,” says this former AIM for Seva student.
His years at Kanchipuram helped improve his Tamil a bit. “Initially, everything was new to me, city, food and language,” he says.
He was constantly encouraged by his coordinator, Swami Aishvaryananda Saraswati ji, AIM for Seva’s project in-charge for Madhya Pradesh in his academic endeavour. “Swamiji always makes it a point to meet up and guide the boys from Madhya Pradesh whenever he is in Chennai. And when I got the job letter from Chaitanya, I called Swamiji first. He was in a meeting but he postponed it and talked to me and blessed me,” recollects Vikash fondly.
Vikash joined the Kareli Chatralayam in 2006. At that time, he was in Class 6. “At the Chatralayam, I studied hard and made a lot of friends while at home, I would be playing cricket most of the time,” remembers Vikash.
The Chatralayam environment helped Vikash hone his leadership skills. “We used to get the hostel leader baton by rotation. I was the hostel leader for two years (Class 7 and 8) and helped the younger boys adjust to the Chatralayam and adapt to the daily routine.”
A sudden illness during his Class 12 public exam resulted in Vikash only scoring 63%. “At that time, I was contemplating what I should next. My coordinator stepped in and guided me to take the course at Kanchipuram University. “
Vikash is looking to continue his higher education in Sanskrit. He is also preparing to write the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam for the IAS (Indian Administrative Service) as well as the NET (National Eligibility Test). The NET is conducted on behalf of the University Grants Commission for determining the eligibility of Indian nationals for the post of assistant professor, junior research fellowship or both for Indian universities and colleges. He likes to read Sanskrit literature texts.
Back home, Vikash’s fathers are farm labourers earning Rs. 200 for the daily work. During harvest time, their wages move up to Rs. 500 everyday.
Vikash offers his thanks to the AIM for Seva family for believing in him and supporting him.