When we are young, our ambitions and future plans often keep changing. It is rare to see a steely determination and fixed purpose in one’s life since a young age. One of Akshaya Patra’s beneficiaries, Sahil Gajbiye, is made of a different mettle. The 14-year-old boy studying in Std VIII has harboured dreams of becoming an Indian Air Force pilot since Std V and is seriously moving towards it.

Sahil, who studies at Dr Ambedkar Secondary School and Junior College in the Untakhana area of Nagpur, Maharashtra, is the son of a father who moves furniture and other goods over distances and a mother who is a housewife. He elaborates on why he wishes to be an Indian Air Force pilot – “Pilots don’t have a fear of heights, which is something I admire a lot. I also want to fight for our country and make India proud.” He has discussed his ambitions with his teacher, Chandave Sir, to know how he should prepare for the same and which subjects he should focus on. When asked where he would like to fly to for the very first time, Sahil replied, “I would like to fly to the Andaman islands – to Port Blair specifically. I am highly inspired by Veer Savarkar (freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar) and want to see the Cellular Jail at Port Blair, where he was imprisoned.”

A student with a keen interest in academics, Sahil lists Science, Marathi and Geography as his favourite subjects. He says, “I like learning about the earth, which is why I enjoy studying Geography and I like Science because I hope to make an invention someday, that helps the nation. I also enjoy learning Marathi because of the way it is taught by Dandekar Ma’am.” Sahil’s interests apart from academics include sports – cricket and kabaddi particularly, and public speaking. “I like talking spontaneously on different topics,” he explains.

The meals served by The Akshaya Patra Foundation are quite a hit with the students of Dr Ambedkar Secondary School and Junior College and Sahil professes to loving them too. “I like Akshaya Patra’s mid-day meals because they are tasty as well as nutritious. My favourite is the mixed veg subzi and cabbage subzi. The meals give us the energy to study well and do well in life,” he concludes.

It is very heartening to see our meals powering the dreams of diligent students like Sahil, who are fiercely committed to their dreams. We wish him every success!