INDIA: Sachin Ambade believes that intelligence with character is the goal of true education. 35-years-old Sachin belongs to a small village Waghbodi in Bhandara (Maharashtra). He has been working in the field of education for the last 12 years.
“Lately I have been fighting for the poor beedi rolling labors as well as the ones deprived of justice since 14 years and are employed,” Sachin told Transcontinental Times. He wants to create future citizens who have intelligence in their minds, love in their hearts, and the ability to win the world, not by violence or money but by their love, compassion, and empathy. “I choose to be a teacher because when you educate one person, you can change a life, when you educate many, you can change the world,” said Sachin.
“My family, especially my mother has inspired me to work for positive social change. I was brought up in a poor beedi rolling workers family since childhood I have witnessed hardships in my family,” he added.
Women Beedi (hand-rolled cigarettes) workers struggle for survival
Sachin further spoke about the dire situation of the beedi workers of his village and their helpless state.
“Along with my mother, many beedi labors of a Vidarbha beedi company have been a victim of injustice for the last 14 years. An illegal lockout by the company administration has kept them unemployed for 14 years now. The provisions for beedi labors under Beedi Cigarette Act Company is ready to pay a huge amount to its advocates but not to their laborers. Nobody is providing them legal assistance and that’s why I met a social activist Mrs. Anjali Damania and she has given us a helping hand to fight against this injustice. However, the case is still pending in the court, making the life of the laborers tough,” said Sachin with a heavy heart.
He further added, “I met one such beedi labor who mortgaged her mangal sutra (ornament) before. Now, it has been 4-5 years. She couldn’t pay back the high-interest rates and lost her mangal sutra to the goldsmith. Many laborers are going through the same miserable situation but what can these poor laborers do? I have tweeted on Twitter multiple times to many ministers and politicians but all in vain.”
The need of social work to handle global issues
When asked about global issues that can be handled through social work, Sachin said, “Terrorism is the biggest threat to the world. Today’s youth is misguided by religious extremist groups. Rich is becoming richer and poor is becoming poorer. This huge gap is very dangerous in the way of equality and justice. Cyber Crime is increasing considerably. Violence against women and increasing rape cases are a matter of great concern. Education is a weapon, if it is used in the right way then humanity will survive. But, if it is used in the wrong way then it is a great threat to humanity.”
“Humanity can survive, smiles can be spread on faces of thousands of lives, great minds can be created, the youth will be engaged in creative and social work, poor but talented children can get the chance to show their talent, women empowerment is possible, revolutionary change can happen through active and honest social work. We must boost the morale of honest social activists through our respect, help, and appreciation,” Sachin added.
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Importance of humanitarian works
Highlighting the importance of social work, Sachin said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens cannot change the world, because indeed it’s the only thing that ever has. Social work is very important to bring happiness and to give way to the society and to the world, to empower the women, rights of children and to solve different types of global issues because of which the whole human society of the world is suffering a lot.” He believes that to serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart and a free mind.
Sachin says that social work must come from the heart and the desire to bring a positive change, for which one must place themselves in the shoes of the troubled people and feel their problems. “We should be alive in people’s hearts forever, in that way we will be living longer and would be immortal, as we will be remembered for our great work for the society,” advises Sachin.
