Stories of resilience often begin in the most unlikely places. For Kishor Bethekar, that place was a remote, struggling village in Maharashtra.

Hailing from Chilati in the Melghat region, Kishor grew up amid poverty and hardship. His family survived on a small, rain-dependent farm, often relying on labour work.

Yet, his father remained determined to prioritise education. Despite severe challenges, Kishor stayed committed to learning.

Life in Melghat offered little support. Basic needs like food, healthcare, and schooling were difficult to access.

Moreover, infrastructure was nearly absent, with no reliable electricity or internet. Language also created barriers, as he spoke Korku at home but studied in Marathi.

However, his teachers played a crucial role. They encouraged reading and independent thinking.

As a result, Kishor developed strong academic habits early. He completed schooling locally and pursued higher education step by step.

Later, he graduated from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences after studying social sciences. Before that, he attended a social work college in Yavatmal.

Still, the path was not smooth. He lacked guidance and often felt lost about future opportunities.

A turning point came when he connected with Raju Kendre, who mentored tribal students. Through this support, Kishor gained clarity and direction.

Consequently, he moved forward with confidence in his academic journey.

His childhood reflected constant struggle. He worked on farms, herded goats, and studied at night, often without electricity.

Additionally, he walked long distances barefoot to attend school. Many peers dropped out, but he persisted.

Today, Kishor has secured admission to the University of Bristol for an MSc in Education. He also received a ₹55 lakh government scholarship, becoming the first from the Korku community to achieve this milestone.

His success has inspired his entire village. More importantly, he hopes to use his education to uplift his community.

His journey proves that determination, combined with support, can overcome even the toughest barriers.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on March 19, 2017

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1201352