“Maybe I was 12 years old. I remember everything like it was yesterday. It was Saraswati Puja and everyone from school was supposed to chip in 10 rupees and a handful of rice for the school picnic. I asked my grandmother but she declined. Maybe she didn’t have the money or the rice, but I took it to heart and not knowing what to do, went to the nearby shed and cried. I thought maybe my parents could help me and so I went to my mother and told her, ‘Ama, I want to go to the picnic, please help me with some rice and some money.’ Seeing me heartbroken, I remember my mother spread her hands in front of the neighbours for some rice. I also remember father going out and coming back in the evening with the 10 rupees. Even though I had my rice and money and I was glad I was going to the picnic, I felt helpless for my parents. At such an early age, I had understood what poverty could do to the lives of people. The next day, I went to the picnic but I thought of my father and mother and I felt guilty to have put them through my demands. But I also remember that day changed my life, for that day I vowed to do something.”  ‪#‎StriveStruggleThrive‬