Kartik Sharma, an 8th standard student of Kamatghar High School, Bhiwandi, envisions a world where businesses operate with empathy and respect for every customer, regardless of their financial status. “I have seen the difference in how customers are treated in shops. If someone is buying a small item, they are not shown any respect. But if another person is buying items that are expensive or create large bills, they are treated with respect,” he says expressing his concern. 

The disparity in the treatment customers receive based on their ability to afford goods, shocked Kartik. “I often visit with my parents to shops, especially the textiles one. And on multiple occasions, I have seen the difference in the behaviour of people attending us,” he says, sharing his experience. This experience planted the seed of a strong desire to become a businessman in the textile industry and treat every customer with dignity. 

Talking more about his family, he says, “My father, Parasnath, works in a textile factory, while my mother, Sushila, is a homemaker. I have two elder siblings – a brother and a sister. My brother works as a lab assistant. My sister left school after 9th grade to support the family.” Despite the financial challenges, the family is united in supporting each other’s goals. Kartik’s father ensures Kartik and his siblings stay focused on their education.

Kartik’s daily routine is structured yet simple. He describes, "I wake up at 5:30 am every morning. After completing my morning ablutions, I proceed to the school and ensure that I reach before 7 am. My classes run till 12:30 pm, post which I spend some time playing games on my mother’s phone. In the afternoon, I dive into daily studies, which include completing homework for the day. In the evening, I go outside to play with my friends around 5 pm and return home by 7 pm for dinner. This is followed by another round of studies which is usually revising previous chapters. I try to go to sleep by 11 pm.”

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about significant challenges for Kartik, just as it did for many students across the country. "I missed school a lot during COVID-19," he admits, but he remained committed to his education by attending online classes regularly, ensuring he didn’t fall behind.

A crucial part of Kartik’s school experience is the mid-day meal provided by Akshaya Patra as an effort to implement PM POSHAN Abhiyaan. "The food is nice. My favourite is roti-sabzi and dal-rice," he says. The hot, tasty and nutritious meals keep him energised throughout the day. Akshaya Patra’s efforts align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2 and SDG 4), which focus on ending hunger and providing quality education.

Akshaya Patra’s school feeding programme helps 2.25 million children like Kartik study with full focus and work hard towards their dreams. Kartik’s dreams of becoming a businessman are ambitious, but with the support of his family, the guidance of his school and the sustenance provided by Akshaya Patra, he is on the path to achieving them.