At Upper Dhani Higher School in Guwahati, Gourab Swargirary is known not only for his academic dedication but also for his passion for football. Studying in 9th grade, Gourab lives a life which is a blend of family responsibilities, academic pursuits, and relentless football practice.  Gourab wants to become a renowned football player and his ultimate dream is to represent India in the FIFA World Cup. “If our country goes to the FIFA World Cup, I want to be a part of the team. It would be an honour to play for India,” he declares with determination. 

Gourab’s love for football is evident in his daily routine. “After school, I play football. My favourite player is Neymar, and I aspire to be like him,” he says with a smile. His dedication to the sport has already borne fruit, as he proudly recounts, “I represented Assam at the national level in 2022, in Delhi. I was the goalkeeper, and our team qualified till the semi-finals.” Reflecting on his journey, Gourab recalls his last match in Guwahati. “Though we lost, it was one of the most memorable matches of my life,” he says. The experience of playing at such a high level has only fueled his ambition further. “We have an upcoming tournament in Guwahati, and I will participate with my team there. I hope to perform well and make my family proud.”

Speaking of his family, Gourab says, “I live with my parents and a younger brother. My mother, Bonita, is a homemaker, and my father, Authas, manages a local dhaba. My younger brother, Dakshit, studies in 1st grade at a different school. Despite the financial challenges, the family remains supportive of Gourab’s aspirations. He says “My father is very supportive of my goal to become a footballer. He always encourages me to pursue my dreams. My mother, on the other hand, emphasises the importance of education and wants me to clear the NDA exams.”

Gourab is a beneficiary of Akshaya Patra’s school feeding programme. He receives hot, tasty and nutritious meals every school day, which gives him the energy to play football and study with focus. Describing meals, Gourab says, “The food is good. I like dal-chawal and paneer sabzi the most.” The meals served by Akshaya Patra are an effort to implement PM POSHAN Abhiyaan in government schools across India. These efforts align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-2: eradicate hunger and SDG-4: provide quality education). The balanced meal provided by Akshaya Patra ensures that 2.2 million children like Gourab stay focused in classes and work hard to achieve their dreams.