Summer vacation of Sachin and Ajay

Image and text by Omkar Narvekar

Just as I was waiting outside Vasai station, two children came to me demanding money. Yes, they demanded not begged. They wanted to have food with that money. The boys in the image Sachin (the elder one) and Ajay (younger one) stay in the nearby slums. According to Sachin they go to a municipality school in their area. 

However, during vacation, they head out of their house and ask people for money and treat themselves with food, they manage enough money with their cuteness for the same. They might have learned the wrong way of getting money but they are too young to know. When my friend and I talked to them about education and how they can earn through it, they seemed least bothered as Sachin pointed out to his pocket showing us 100 rupees. 

Sachin wants to be a police officer when he grows up and his only ambition is to catch his younger brother while stealing. He accuses his brother of shop-lifting snacks when he is busy with the shop-keeper purchasing something. Although, no one knows the truth. 

One true thing he said was about them catching a running vehicle to get a free ride home. He mentioned about small trucks as they tried catching in front of us. They stopped after a good hearing from us but managed to grab the attention of a lady scooter driver who was willing to give them a free ride.

Sachin and Ajay were the happiest people I noticed lately. They may have learned the wrong way of collecting money but they loved their life one minute at a time with a smiling face.