EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE IN RURAL AREAS TOO!!! : PRATIBHA PATIL

I belong to a conservative community – Dorik Patil. So after taking the Higher Secondary Exam I was married off to a man 9 years older than me. Guess my age when I got married!

I got shifted to Loni (just 22 km from Shirdi) from Thane. After spending 18 years of my life in Thane, I was used to that hectic life and ‘Amchi Mumbai culture’. Loni was a completely different and unusual experience for me. This place, even today, moves at a snail’s pace. Nevertheless, it is peaceful and green. I got completely pissed off in the initial days. But I had to sustain here and so I decided to do something which would help me to be on my own. And here started the journey of ‘Everything is possible in rural areas too’.

I decided to continue my education (my father-in-law was my backbone). I got enrolled for BA (Functional English) in Padmashri Dr V V Patil Arts, Science and Commerce College. Ours was the first batch to enroll for this specialisation. Here I got opportunity to study and learn a lot about English language from Prof. K G Kurien. I was fortunate to be his student. The Keralite gentleman had the knack of teaching English language lucidly to the rural students coming from vernacular mediums. He opened a whole new world for us. Though I was a student of an English medium school, I actually acquired the language skills under Kurien Sir. Polished pronunciation, accent without being artificial, sentence structures etc. were the areas I picked up. He used to clear all my doubts related to language. He even used to provide his books so that I never faced any difficulty. I even used to go to his home and hound him for solutions to my difficulties. He as well as Kurien Ma’am always welcomed me with the Keralite delicacies!

The college had a small library as compared to the upgraded and full-fledged one it has today. I used to sit in the library and study for hours. I used to read so many books there. There was complete cooperation from the library! And so I wondered why students don’t utilize this heaven of knowledge! There used to be a crowd at the canteen but never in the library! For me, the library was my second home.

For Post-Graduation in English literature I enrolled myself in Rao Bahadur College of Arts , Science and Commerce, Shrirampur. After my result was declared I started my career from the same department! 1999 heralded the journey of teaching.

I realised that for better understanding of the students and the teaching procedure I must have a B.Ed. degree. For pursuing B.Ed. I used to attend the college 24 km away from Loni. It was worth travelling. The college transformed the raw teacher into an affectionate hardworking passionate child-centered human.

While serving as a Lecturer of English subject for Padmashri Dr V V Patil Sanik School and Junior College and Services Preparatory Institute , Loni, I was fortunate enough to work under Col Dilip Harishchandra Parab ( Retd), the Commandant and his wife Mrs Gita  Parab. The couple taught me the English which was required in the defence forces. Though I worked as a Lecturer I saw that I remained a student first. I always felt there is so much to learn! Even today I feel the same!

Finally my last job as a Lecturer in Amrutvahini College of Engineering, Sangamner was the turning point of my life. I grew professionally here. I got the opportunity to teach Soft Skills, Communication skills to the students of all the departments including MBA. Here I realised that I can become a trainer.

Finally, I resigned from this job in November 2012. I contemplated for 2 months. And on 1st Jan 2013 I launched myself as a trainer and an educator. I founded Wordperfect English Academy at Loni. Till date I have trained many students, teachers, lecturers, ISHRAE members, homemakers in Communication Skills, Soft skills, Spoken English, Personality Development, Written English, Phonetics. I am invited to various institutes to deliver guidance lectures on English for NDA Entrance Exam.

In my academy I teach English subjects to the students from Class 7 to 12. I also teach English to those who aspire to crack the NDA Entrance Exam, CDS and other competitive exams.

I have a passion to motivate youngsters and women on leading a successful contented life. I am also a social worker where I spread awareness regarding menstrual cycle, sanitary pads, and juvenile crimes. I try to reach the vernacular schools and make the students aware about the before said areas. Post sessions sanitary pads are distributed among girl students for free. I also deliver talks on POSH for working professionals and students.

Passion for teaching, social work, motivating folks – all these things I received in abundance from Loni. I see people bickering – there are no opportunities; we are side-lined; There is a bleak future for us. Those reading this article, those who resonate with the negative thoughts, let me tell you – Everything is possible in rural areas! These days all have android mobiles. The world is in your palm! So what’s stopping you from? It is all upon you. It is you who have to decide whether to embark upon the un-trodden path or to rust crying on the passiveness.

I have been living in Loni since 1994. It has been 25 years now. I have embraced a profession only a few wish to have. If you have zeal and unrelenting passion to achieve your dream you can do anything, anywhere and at any time.

Become unstoppable….

If you wish to communicate with me, you may contact 9975465123 or prappatil2015@gmail.com.

The Author is Trainer, Educator, Motivational Speaker, Social Worker and Director of Wordperfect English Academy, Loni, Maharaashtra

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