Sweeper's son gets distinction in SSC, wants to be a cop

The Namwads are on cloud nine after finding out that their son Vikas scored 74.73 per cent in his SSC board exams. Ramu and his wife Suman work as sweepers for several cooperative societies in Vashi Sector 9.

Vikas Namwad is the child of Suman (left) and Ramu, who work as sweepers in Vashi's sector 9. Pic/Suresh KK

They had sent their son to a hostel in Latur to study as they felt the environment in Navi Mumbai, where they are based, would not let him concentrate. The family lives in a slum at Indranagar in Turbhe. The couple said that their son who studied at a school in Latur had come back home in March after his exams and since then had been helping them in their work.

"He often helps me and his mother by collecting garbage from residents so that our workload is less. Today he has made us very proud. We have huge expectations from him," said Ramu. Vikas said that his parents had been very understanding by sending him away to study.

"I studied very hard but did not expect to score 75 per cent. I was hoping for around 60 per cent and my results came as a surprise," said Vikas, who was really anxious before checking his scores. When MiD DAY asked the teenager about his plans for the future he said that he would now like to live with his parents and complete his studies from a college in Navi Mumbai.

He intends to pursue his studies in the Arts stream and later join the police force. "I woke up early every day to study and put in a lot of effort. I am happy that my perseverance has borne fruit. I want to strive further and make my parents very proud," said Vikas. u00a0