From Margins to Milestones: Pune Waste Pickers’ Children Shine in SSC Exams 2025

Pune, 13th May 2025: The journey from the city’s waste heaps to a future filled with promise is not one many expect. But for a handful of Pune’s waste picker families, the announcement of this year’s SSC results brought more than just relief — it brought tears of pride, joy, and quiet triumph. Amidst odds stacked high against them, children from waste picker households have not only cleared their Class 10 exams but done so with flying colours.

Their academic success is more than a personal milestone. It’s a statement — a quiet revolution powered by resilience, determination, and the untiring support of parents and guardians who sort through the city’s waste to keep it clean, one doorstep at a time.

82% and a Dream to Teach
Bismilla Daval Mulla, daughter of waste picker Daval Mulla who works in the Sinhagad Road area and is a member of the SWaCH cooperative, scored an impressive 82% in her SSC exams. Bismilla, who dreams of becoming a teacher, hopes to give back by educating underprivileged children for free — inspired by the support she received from groups like the Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat (KKPKP). She plans to pursue Arts at Fergusson College and credits her success to a disciplined routine of four hours of self-study daily.

Language Lover With a Grandmother’s Backbone
Sneha Shivaji Mhaske, who scored 81%, lost both her parents eight years ago. Raised by her 70-year-old grandmother Kanta Vishwanath Mhaske — an itinerant waste picker for over four decades — Sneha has developed a strong love for languages, scoring 90 in Marathi and 87 in English. Though in her village and unreachable on result day, her grandmother was certain of her success. “Sneha is a sincere child,” she said with quiet pride.

A Medical Dream Born Amid Scrap
Manushka Vinod Bansode, daughter of KKPKP member Priya Bansode, scored 80.4%. With dreams of entering the medical field, Manushka’s achievement stands tall amid the daily grind of her mother’s waste collection rounds. Her success reflects both her academic dedication and her family’s sacrifices.

From Grief to Grit: A Police Officer in the Making
Chetan Vishwanath Naikvade, raised by his grandmother Shaku Naikavade — a waste picker for over 25 years — lost his father during the COVID-19 pandemic. His mother left soon after. Chetan, who aspires to become a police officer, draws strength from his grandmother, who earns ₹300–400 daily by selling recyclables. His determination to honor her sacrifices fuels his ambition.

Back to School: Waste Pickers Clear SSC While Keeping Pune Clean
Education is not just the domain of the young. For two determined waste pickers in Pune, age and life’s struggles didn’t deter their pursuit of learning.

A Mother, a Widow, a Fighter
Komal Vikas Gaikwad, 26, a single mother from Dandekar Pul vasti, cleared her SSC exams with 58%. After losing her husband during COVID, Komal joined night school, balancing studies with parenting and waste collection. Her motivation? To set an example for her two children and ensure they have a better future.

Waste Collector by Day, Student by Afternoon
Priyanka Yuvraj Kamble, a member of the SWaCH cooperative, scored 47.6% — a victory built on perseverance and community support. Working in the mornings and attending school in the afternoons, she credits her success to Ramabai Ranade School’s flexible and understanding staff. Without any tuition and managing a packed day that included preparing meals for her young son, Priyanka says it was her waste work that made her return to education possible. Her next goal: to become an anganwadi sevika.

A Victory for Pune’s Waste Picking Community
These stories are not just individual victories; they are a collective celebration for Pune’s waste picker community. Organizations like SWaCH and KKPKP have long advocated for the rights and dignity of waste pickers, and today their efforts are reflected in the academic dreams taking shape in narrow lanes and modest homes.