26/06/2017
This story was shared by visitor Mr. Ken Rods who visited Pune and met Prateek.
On my last trip to Pune I met a very special soul,someone who made me realise how we fail to count our blessings inspite of everything we have and we are.
Right in the centre is Prateek Makasare sitting between his two siblings who love him so dearly.I met him at a monastery I was visiting, where he had come with his mother and siblings with a box of sweets to share his joy.
His mother;s eyes glistened with tears of joy as she said with pride, My son has scored 65.69% for H.S.C exam,
After seeing him I was so curious to know more about him so I enquired about him to his mother who mentioned as to how her little angel who was born as a normal child but due to some negligence he was affected by a reaction through some vaccine.Since then his condition has been like this neither his hands nor legs function.His mother Anita said he was so ill just before his exams that he could barely move but his sheer determination to give the exams got him well.He has been using a writer for all his exams.
Despite his health condition and several obstacles like financial problems and discouragement from society throughtout his life Prateek has shown outstanding determination in pursuing his studies.
Prateek's mother works as a househelp and father as a welder, the family struggles to make ends meet.
As I asked Prateek what he plans to do next he said with the most sweetest smile, I would like to study further,
While we are searching for youth icon around us,we have a huge inspiration amongst us.
Prateek rightfully deserves a chance to pursue his studies and live his dreams and a dignified life.
I would request everyone reading this post to help Prateek and his family financially or in any other way possible.
