🏆 Guided by Teachers, Driven by Dreams

Every dream starts somewhere — sometimes with a small step, sometimes with a big leap. For me, it began with a scholarship exam in 4th standard. This wasn’t just any exam; it was my first major turning point, a journey filled with guidance, support, and the spark of self-belief.

🌱 From Saskal to Phaltan: A New Beginning

I spent the early years of my life in a small village called Saskal, just 7 kilometers from Phaltan. It’s a place filled with greenery, simplicity, and memories. I loved going to school with my mom, who’s a teacher at Jay Bhavani High School, Tirakwadi. She was my first role model — a powerful woman shaping young minds, including mine.

My parents always believed that education is the biggest gift they could give us. So, for the sake of better learning opportunities for me and my sister, we moved from our village to Phaltan. That move changed everything.

📘 Primary School: Finding My Way

I started my formal education at Shiladevi School, where I completed 1st and 2nd standard. I was just like any other kid — active, curious, maybe even a little too energetic.

Then came a recommendation that shifted my path. One of my mom’s friends, Divade Ma'am, told us about a school in Kolki known for its strong educational foundation — Irrigation Bangla School.

My parents took a chance and enrolled me there. It was one of the best decisions they ever made.

👩‍🏫 Teachers Who Believed in Me

At Kolki, I was lucky to have Jadhav Ma'am as my class teacher. She quickly noticed that I wasn’t the calmest kid in the room — I was fidgety, bold, and full of questions. But instead of silencing that energy, she worked hard to shape it. Her efforts helped me grow both academically and personally.

Meanwhile, I also joined Kawade Classes to strengthen my basics. And then came Mazeri, where my true journey toward competitive exams began.

🧠 Mazeri: Learning Beyond the Classroom

Mazeri was more than a school — it was a place that respected raw talent. Under the guidance of Barkade Sir, I was introduced to a different kind of learning. One that focused not just on textbooks, but on real-world awareness, mental ability, and logic.

Sir believed in using talent wisely, and his school was known for preparing students for various scholarship and competitive exams. I loved going there. It felt like home — a place where students were not judged by their background, but by their curiosity.

💡 A New Idea: The Taluka-Level Scholarship

In 4th standard, Misal Sir came up with a brilliant idea: to hold a scholarship-style exam across our entire Taluka. His goal was to identify talented students early and give them the training they needed.

I took the exam… and I got selected!

All the selected students, from different villages, were brought together to study under top faculty teachers at Vidani, a centrally located town. That’s when the real magic started.

🙏 Teachers Who Lit My Path

At Vidani, I was mentored by some of the most dedicated and inspiring teachers I’ve ever met:

Barkade Sir – The legend behind the mental ability classes. His logic-based puzzles and real-life examples made complex topics feel simple and exciting.
Nale Sir – My Math teacher, whose teaching style I absolutely loved. I wasn’t the easiest student to handle, but he always treated me with patience and care.
More Sir – Taught me Marathi. Alongside my mom (who also teaches Marathi), he helped me truly understand grammar and language.
Parmale Sir – The man behind my English foundation. His approach helped me grasp grammar concepts that I still use today.

I may have forgotten some names, but their contributions are unforgettable. Each of them shaped me — not just as a student, but as a person.

🏅 My First Big Win

With the help of these amazing teachers, I performed well and got selected in the scholarship program. This was the first time I felt the power of preparation, guidance, and belief — not just my own, but from everyone around me.

That moment — when I got selected — was more than just success. It was proof that hard work, good mentors, and supportive parents can transform your future, no matter where you come from.

✨ Looking Ahead

This scholarship journey laid the foundation for my next chapter: getting selected for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) — a place that played a huge role in shaping who I am today.

But that’s a story for the next blog.

The Journey That Built Me