Sky High

“Mochi, mochi, mochi” a shrill chorus rented the air as soon as Rohit Ravidas new student entered the classroom. This scene was repeated almost daily since he had joined the English medium state government school. Fourteen-year-old Rohit made his way to the last bench in the classroom and tried to ignore the chanting boys.

Though the implementation of Right to Education Act had compelled the elitist school to admit a small percentage of pupils from low income and disadvantaged strata of society, most teachers and other students were yet to accept the newcomers. It was true that his father was a simple cobbler who squatted with his little wooden box and iron anvil on the pavement near the school. Rohit had never tried to hide this fact and had spoken about it on his very first day as a self-introduction. Senior Ravidas had always impressed upon his son the dignity of labor and honest hard work. He sensed an excellent opportunity in the new education system that allowed a poor man like him to send his son to a good school. He ignored the jeers of most of his close-minded community members who shamed him for daring to dream big beyond his destiny.

Being born in poverty had hardened Rohit and the new school only whetted his appetite to excel in studies. He was impervious to the contemptuous attitude of his classmates. Some students wanted to befriend Rohit but stayed aloof due to the peer pressure of the bullies. Only a few teachers felt the fire in his belly and helped him out with stationery materials and free guidance. His favorite haunt was the school library where he spent all his free time reading up the lives of impoverished national and international leaders who had achieved extraordinary success due to sheer hard work and grit.

Soon it was the Annual Report Day. Even the most die-hard skeptic students were praying to the Almighty for salvation. As the tall ex-army man school Principal mounted the podium to announce the names of the toppers, Rohit felt a knot in his belly. His heart was in his mouth and he knew it was a matter of face for his family.

“I feel proud to announce the name of our school topper. Please join your hands for Rohit Ravidas. He will also be representing our school in the Mathematics Olympiad in New Delhi.” The Principal’s rich baritone voice boomed on the speaker system.

Tears welled up in his eyes as Rohit stood up to the wild clapping of the entire school. He could feel that he had ascended the ladder of education and equality.

The sky was the limit for him now and he just wanted to rush home to hug his father - the man who had made him reach for the sky.