The massive changes brought on by the pandemic made several suffer, especially students who faced many challenges throughout their academic years. But amid all this, they had teachers who were always present in times of hardships.

One among them was Seema Alaskar, a teacher from Goregaon. Her former student was in dire need of a smartphone for her Std X studies, and Alaskar was more than happy to help her. Recalling her conversation with Tanvi in July last year, Alaskar, 43, said Tanvi had asked if I had an old smartphone which she can use for her Std X studies. “She told me, ‘ma’am can you please give me a smartphone to study? I will repay you once I start earning’.”