A number of students were lucky to escape the inferno that charred two people to death and injured at least 11 as they were in school when the fire broke out on December 7, 2015, afternoon.
Even after losing their homes in a massive fire that occurred in Kandivli's Damu Nagar slum, students residing there appeared for their HSC exams and passed.
A number of students were lucky to escape the inferno that charred two people to death and injured at least 11 as they were in school when the fire broke out on December 7, 2015, afternoon. However, they lost their books, important documents and a majority of study material.
Arts student Ashwini Shinde, who scored 55%, said, "We had no books to study. NAATA Foundation helped us with the study material. The credit for my success goes to this NGO."
"We were in so much trouble that we never thought Ashwini would be able to pass with good percentage," added her sister Rohini Jadhav.
Another resident, Aakash Rohimal, scored 55% in commerce. "We had no place to study as our houses were burnt to ashes. Down the lane in an open compound, we all studied under one halogen light," said Rohimal, who aspires to become a policeman.
Ironically, the delay in issuing of hall tickets served the children of Damu Nagar well as that important piece of paper was saved from the blaze.
A resident, Mamta Sav, who had waited for three years to appear for her board exams, managed to this time by collecting money after working three shifts in a hospital and doing tailoring from home. She was among those who lost their houses, and with it also her sewing machine on which the family depended. The science student said, "Due to financial constraints, I couldn't apply for my HSC exam for three years. And then the fire burnt our houses. I thought God isn't with me, I had lost all hope. But I am happy I managed to appear this year and pass." She scored 50%.
Another science student, Deepali Hivade, lost her grandmother in the fire, but she dealt with the loss and scored 56%. "I was not sure of even passing. Mamta and I had inquired all details for re-admission in our college. In fact, the incident had traumatised me so much that I had decided not to appear for my exams. But my parents and friends motivated me..." She also applied for her CET, for which she studied from her Stds XI and XII books as she didn't have the money to buy specific books.
Founder of NAATA Foundation Anuja Saha said, "I read about the fire in a newspaper... A friend of mine insisted that I visit and see the condition of that place. It was worse than I had expected. I had to help them, but it was not possible for me alone to help the entire area. So I took up 20 chawls and all students appearing for their board exams and provided them with textbooks, guides and notebooks."
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