“To become a police inspector, I have to crack one of the toughest exams in our country – the State Public Service Commission’s competitive exam. No matter what, I am determined to achieve my dream,” shared a twenty-year-old Pooja Kachrabai Rajaram Dewade. A resident of Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar in Goregaon, a suburb in Mumbai, her father works at a factory while her mother is a domestic worker.
At a very young age, Pooja got associated with Rashtra Sevadal- a grassroots front organization that works with children and young adults in Maharashtra to inculcate the values of democracy, socialism, secularism and universal brotherhood. Sevadal holds various workshops and coaching classes for children, in which Pooja often contributes her time and service. “Being a part of the workshops gives me an opportunity to do an evaluation of my own thoughts and behaviours. I feel motivated. Sevadal organizes many programmes in which they involve children in planning and designing. Sevadal activists do not spoon-feed; all they do is handholding,” expressed Pooja.
When there’s a disaster, the volunteers of Sevadal are among the first to join the rescue operation. “The last monsoon in Maharashtra caused massive destruction and death. We were involved in cleaning a few shops in the market,” Pooja informed. According to her, even though there was knee deep dirty water all around and the stench emanating from the dead animals, rotten vegetables had filled the area, it didn’t stop them from rendering their service.
Since Sevadal works primarily with children, they also conduct workshops on child sexual abuse for their youth volunteers. Motivate by these sessions, Pooja now conducts awareness sessions with children about ‘good touch and bad touch’.
“I do this because children are too scared to talk about it. The perpetrator is usually a close relative of the child, and they find it difficult to share their predicament,” expressed Pooja.
On this note, Pooja shared the story of a hapless girl who was rescued by her. “I was on my way home when I heard a girl crying behind a closed door, which was right in front of me. I opened the door; thankfully, it was not locked. I found the girl lying down on the floor with no clothes. She was in severe pain. We got her admitted and the doctor informed us that the area near her genital was ruptured because of brutal sexual assaults,” narrated Pooja.
The survivor was living with her grandparents after her parents had separated. Her mother had remarried and abandoned her. Ultimately, the girl started living with her grandparents. But this transition resulted in great distress because her grandfather, along with his friends, was continuously abusing her sexually. Additionally, grandfather’s friends were paying him for the ‘service’. The grandmother was equally supportive of this horrific act.
“The survivor was in the hospital for more than a month as the physical trauma was severe. But it’s a relief that her grandfather is punished for what he has done and is behind bars,” Pooja added.
Another instance where Pooja extended her support was when she helped a homeless, physically handicapped woman find a shelter. Abandoned by her husband, the woman was living in a deserted playground. Fortunately, she received help from an elderly man who was living on the pavement across the ground. “The man looked after her. I used to spend time with them and help whenever required. But as he died, the woman was left alone. I tried my best to help her, and, after an ordeal of five days, I found a facility in Balasaheb Thackrey Hospital at Mankhurd in Mumbai which was willing to admit her,” Pooja informed.
This rescue operation was not at all easy by any means. Pooja spent hours in the police station for three days. Initially, they had refused to take cognizance of the homeless woman, stating that it was not part of their duty. During this period, Pooja was under tremendous stress. She had to make arrangements for the food and lodging of the woman. The Keshav Gore Trust, a Mumbai based NGO, came to their rescue and provided shelter to the woman until she was admitted to the hospital. Pooja is still in touch with her.
Such is Pooja’s dedication and effort in helping the needy. She continues to take this arduous journey as long as she can extend a helping hand to those who need it the most!
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
Alka Gadgil is a writer from Maharashtra for Charkha Features