Sandeep is a Puneri Gully boy but not a street rapper. He writes Lok Geet and Bhav Geet in Marathi- in praise of the Khandoba deity at Jejuri, in appreciation of his guru at Alandi, also near Pune, or anything which captures his imagination as he performs his cleaning duties or drives the auto-rickshaw at night. It all started at the nearby Math ( Shivji temple) where elders sang and swayed to Sant Tukaram’s Abhangs. The troubled teenager found some peace in these serene enviorns and it soon became a refuge.

After his father’s sudden demise when he was just 14 years old, Sandeep stepped into his shoes as a sweeper and garbage collector in a housing society. He became the bread winner in the family with a younger sister and brother to take care of, especially with a mother who is mentally ill. The youngster had no choice. His father had taken a loan from a local neta, pledging his small house, to marry off his eldest daughter. He passed away a few months later. The bereaved family was harassed by the loan-shark’s goons who had an eye on the house. They were even locked out of their own home a couple of times. The message was clear- cough up Rs 3000 per month or else. The boy became a man.

Sandeep’s family was dysfunctional. The eldest sister simply moved away from their world after her wedding. More disturbing was his brother, seven years senior, cutting off all ties after a love marriage. He had been a ball-boy, maintenance guy and a coach to kids at a tennis club. Sadly, his untimely alcohol induced death last year has left the abandoned family more desolate. It is a cousin brother who has been an anchor and mentor giving him moral support and advising him on government related forms and papers. The medicines for Sandeep’s mother are provided free by a Government agency.

Over the last decade, he has taken charge of his life. In the slum area he lives in, it could so easily have gone off track. One of his childhood neighbours has done time in jail. Another is in the illicit liquor business.

Sandeep’s work day starts at 5.30 am in the morning. He covers 2 housing societies as part of the clean-up team. Plus washing and wiping around a dozen cars. At 8.30 am he is at the insurance broker’s office where I work. Other than being the house-keeping help, he is the man Friday who prepares the tea and does the odd-jobs. After 7.30 pm he hits the road, ferrying passengers in his own auto. He calls it quits around 11.30 pm. All for the family.

Recently he has purchased another auto which is given out on hire. Ocassionally, he organises help for moving and shifting of household goods and furniture. Quite a guy, wouldn’t you say?

He has got his younger sister married and she remains in close touch. The brother is a regular student at a local school. At 25, Sandeep More is happily married with 2 kids, a 3 year old daughter and a year old son. Sunday is family time for him. He met his wife at a bhajan event and they decided to tie the knot. He credits her for bringing happiness and stability at home, taking care of everything and looking after his mother.

The 4th standard pass young man has triumphed over other adversities. His new-born son was pronounced critical at the government hospital. The desperate family moved him to a well-known private hospital in the city. The baby came out of critical care but the hospital bill of 2.5 lacs came as a big blow. The infant was kept at the hospital for more than 2 weeks after discharge for non-payment. The resourceful Sandeep reached out to the Charity Commissioner after touching base with a newspaper reporter. The Commissioner’s instructions that it be covered under the Indigent Patients Fund (IPF) and the stinging local news report forced the hospital authorities to do the right thing as a registered charitable trust entity. The infant could go home. But it also bailed out 11 other distraught families in a similar predicament. All held yellow colour ration cards.

Others have also stepped up to help Sandeep in his struggle. Such as the promoter and the director of the firm he has worked for the last 5 years. When the baby was fighting for his life, the former ensured that Sandeep had easy access to the blood banks. Earlier this year when dengue took him down, the director pitched in with financial support to cover the medical bills.

Through all this he remains quiet, calm and mature beyond his years. My colleagues who have known him for years say that they have not seen him either despondent or riled up and angry. He does not say No to work. But yes they have heard him sing one of his Lok-Geets or seen him sit alone and drum beat at the pantry table.

We look for motivation through inspiring books, films or videos or following the success stories of celebrities and icons. Or by tuning in to Ted Talks or spiritual discourses.

Look around. Inspiration may be standing right next to you.