Shrutika Bandu Devgade is a Class 7 student, and hails from a family of 3
siblings and her parents. Shrutika’s father (Bandu) and mother (Kalpana) are
both B.A. (Bachelor of Arts – Year 2) drop outs.
Her father is a daily-wage earner; a painter by hobby, which later
transformed into his career option. He earns a minimum Rs. 300 (US$ 4.45) per
day, and post digitalized flex making the work frequency as a painter has
further decreased and the family income has become irregular. Earlier he made a
lot more money, especially during elections. To supplement his income Shrutika’s
father, engages as a wooden handicraft worker. Her mother, does a few odd jobs
in stitching and sewing work, as a casual labourer and not as a professional.
Representative image. Picture courtesy: Heena Patel
Shrutika enrolled into the Magic Bus programme in 2013 and since
then, her father and mother say that, “There have been many
positive changes in her behaviour, after she has joined Magic Bus”. She has
started participating in dance and drama, story-telling, drawing, and many
other extra-curricular activities. Her confidence levels have grown, and she
forthcoming in making conversations with new people, quick in her replies and exhibits
gender confidence when engaging in interactive activities.
Shrutika’s enthusiasm is infectious as she skips to school every
day, even when she is unwell. This positive attitude has won her a gift for
having 100% attendance in school. Shrutika also stood first in a drawing
competition in school, and she credits her interest in art to her father. She
recently participated and won the first position, at the Village Block level in
the Navratna Puraskar Yojna (a competition organised by the government). She is
currently attempting to win the District level competition as well.
Best moment in Magic
Bus:
She describes her best moment as the freedom to play games. She wants
to be an inspiration to others just like a Magic Bus Youth Mentor was to her. Her
ambition is to become a software engineer as she has interest in computers.
Magic Bus is hopeful that her grit and enthusiasm will help her achieve her dreams, one day.
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