15-year-old from Ahmedabad on ‘Mission Admission’ for sister

AHMEDABAD: He’s just 15 years of age, but he has already moved bureaucratic mountains to ensure his brother studies in Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) in Ahmedabad. Now Vivek Das, a resident of Shahibaug, is on ‘Mission Admission’ mode for his six-year-old sister.
Lorik and Urmila Das, residents of a chawl near Girdharnagar, have three children – Vivek, 15, Pratik, 12, and Mahi, 6. Lorik is a plumber and does contract work in the vicinity.Vivek, a class X student now, had come to know that the Union ministers have special quota – identified as dispensation quota for the underprivileged.
An MP can recommend such students to the central board for admissions of Kendriya Vidyalaya. If the student gets selected, he/she can study at much lower fees.
“For families like us, the only way up is through hard work and good education. Thus, I had started this struggle a year ago, when I learned about the quota. I started approaching MPs from the state. I had also approached the state education minister, written to CMO and had also written to the PM office.”
“But before their response came, we met Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya who immediately extended his help and got my brother admitted in Class-VI in the city,” recounts Vivek. But the teen is not complacent – now he has set his eyes on Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) and a few private schools to get his sister admitted so that she can also get quality education. Vivek is studying in a grant-in-aid school in Girdharnagar area. “I’m doing it for the good future of my siblings. I met ministers and bureaucrats and presented my case. I too want to become an IAS officer so that I can help people like me achieve their dreams in life,” said the teenager.
“I will ensure that my brother and sister get the best options possible,” he adds. “It would be great if at least one of us can secure a government job to help the family.” His parents were amazed when Vivek went to government offices and presented the case all on his own.