Impact Stories

Adversity finds a friend

Adversities bring new opportunities, it’s just a matter of perspective. That is what Ramdev Sangar taught. A 25-year-old Ramdev is the resident of Kutch and used to work in housekeeping and later as a security guard. Besides himself and his wife, his family consists of two brothers, two sisters and his parents. Both his parents work as daily wage labourers. His brother works as a driver and the total income of the family is Rs 25,000 per month. Ramdev had to drop out after Class 10 to support the family. After a few years, he got married. All of them were living happily despite financial struggles. However, lockdown hit them hard. As they couldn't move out of their homes, savings were starved. Issues of ration and money prevailed. He had to sell of a few ornaments of his wife to sustain during the lockdown.

This pushed Ramdev to think of working as a security guard in Ahmedabad. In his words, "I had experience working as a security guard in Kutch-Bhuj. I earned a paltry Rs 6,000 per month despite working long hours. So, it was important to explore new territory. Moreover, it is the only job which worked despite the lockdown. I felt it as the best and safest option." He expressed his desire to move out from Kutch-Bhuj and shift in Ahmedabad to earn to a friend. His friend informed him about a job in security at InfoAnalytica company. He filled the form online, provided documents and he was called for an interview. He passed his interview with flying colours and was hired by them in December 2020. Working for InfoAnalytica for the last more than a year, the CSR department of the firm asked him his interests, needs. He expressed his desire to learn computer. He was not only provided basic training in computer but also was given computer at home for free.

He says, "I learnt Microsoft word, Excel, PowerPoint in training session. I recently completed two months training course and scored 85/100. I was also given training in learning English. I learnt tenses, vocabulary, grammar and framing sentences." He adds further, "The best part of the training is, it is being allotted to us during the working hours or else it would have not been possible. There are two sessions each for two hours in a week." He is a quick learner and shares his lessons it with his wife. He revises his lessons by teaching his wife who is a Class 8 pass out, and this helps her in learning them too. From CPU, Monitor to the reading of words, framing sentences, both of them have learnt all this from scratch. He learnt using a search engine websites too. He says, "The key in learning lessons effectively is to do homework regularly. After 12 hours of a job, there is exhaustion but one has to ensure to take time out for studies. My wife is also a curious learner. This helps both of us. I revise lessons and she learns from me."

He feels learning these courses have helped me in gaining confidence. He is thankful to InfoAnalytica for taking care of his desires. He says, "Who cares about others in today's time? I am now speaking in English. I am everyday trying to learn new words and then frame sentences. Learning has no age. With my decent salary, I am now able to support my family. I send certain amount to Kutch-Bhuj." Currently, staying on rent at Mohammadpura behind Karnavati Club, he was also helped by the company to pay the rent initially. He feels the company has not only supported him financially but also boosted his confidence and provided him motivation to work upon his skills. Aiming to clear Class 12 exams through NIOS, he will be provided books and materials by the CSR department of InfoAnalytica. He plans to apply for graduation later and own a house. He states, "I have no words to express my gratitude towards the company."

If he hadn’t made a decision to move out from his native place, he would be struggling not only to earn and sustain family but also he would have missed to learn Computer and spoken English. It wasn't easy for him to move away from family but like it is said fortune favours the brave, he made COVID hard times into an opportunity and shifted to the city.