In Naxal-Hit Dantewada, Tribal Boy Makes It To IIT, Makes Widowed Mother Proud

There is no dearth of inspirational stories around us. Sometimes when we are bogged down by the troubles of our own, these stories work as a catalyst to lift our mood and make us realise that this planet consists of many who, despite struggling in their lives, have sailed right through the hardships with their heads held high.

Such is the story of Vaman Mandavi, a tribal student from Kirandul village of Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, who has proved that hard work can make dreams come true. It is through sheer perseverance that Vaman has been able to get through the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

However, Vaman’s life would have been different had he not received his mother’s wholehearted support. His mother, Mangali Mandavi is a wood-seller in Kirandul who toiled all her life to make ends meet.

Mangali became the sole breadwinner of the family after the death of her husband who had expired just ten months after the birth of Vaman.

But Mangali for once did not surrender the hope of educating her son. She knew that it is difficult for children from their background to make it big in their life. Nevertheless, she took it upon herself this herculean task.

“After that (my husband’s death), I raised him by selling wood. It was my dream to make my child a big man by making him study. We belong to the tribal society where the children are asked to graze cows, gather produce, which affects their studies. But I sent Vaman to a school to educate him,” she told ANI.

Vaman did not disappoint his mother. He worked hard and secured 72 percent in high school and 76 percent in intermediate. And now, he has achieved a commendable feat by securing a seat in IIT.

Vanam respects the struggle that his mother has gone through for him and wishes to make her proud.

Expressing her gratitude to the government’s free education scheme, Mangali acknowledged the support and contribution of the district administration that paved the way for her son’s success.

The Logical Indian community salutes the mother-son duo for their fervent efforts to make their dreams come true. They inspire millions of other families from poor and discriminated backgrounds to achieve the same.