From Waste Collector’s Son to Police Constable: A Remarkable Journey of Grit and Determination
By Akshata Pawar
Pune, 11th June 2025: In a moving testament to perseverance and unyielding resolve, Kiran Shendge, the son of a waste picker from Pune, has cleared the Maharashtra police recruitment exams — not just in Pune, but also in Nashik and Raigad. His achievement stands as a beacon of hope for thousands facing social and economic challenges.
Kiran’s mother, Avanta Gangadhar Shendge, works as a door-to-door waste collector in the Pisal Vasti area of Kondhwa and is a member of the SWaCH Pune Seva Sahakari Sanstha. Her tireless dedication became the driving force behind Kiran’s dream to join the police force.
A Self-Made Journey Without Coaching
What makes Kiran’s story truly inspiring is that he achieved this milestone without any formal coaching or academy training. For over three years, he trained on his own — often jogging in his mother’s worn-out shoes — and juggled multiple jobs, including distributing milk and doing delivery gigs to support his family and his preparations.
Despite the hardships, Kiran also extended a helping hand to others. Knowing that many of his peers couldn’t afford coaching, he voluntarily trained several of them, many of whom have now also succeeded in the police exams. His success, thus, became a shared victory for his entire community.
“My mother is my biggest inspiration. She never let me give up. Everything I am today is because of her,” said Kiran.
An emotional Avanta Shendge added, “I only stood behind him — the struggle was his. He loves me so much, he uses my name in place of his father’s.”
A Story That Resonates Far Beyond One Family
Kiran and Avanta’s story is not just a tale of personal achievement. It reflects the transformative power of parental sacrifice, self-belief, and community spirit. It is a message of hope — that no dream is too distant when pursued with courage and purpose.
As Kiran prepares to step into a new role in Maharashtra’s police force, his story is already inspiring many — from within the waste-picker community to across society — proving that determination and heart can indeed overcome adversity.
