“This is to convey our deep appreciation for the determined efforts put in by Vaibhav Tukaram Shinde, who despite extremely difficult circumstances in life enrolled for the Certificate Programme in Computer Operating Skills of the Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University and successfully demonstrated the
acquisition of these skills. Vaibhav will remain a role model for generations to come (sic),” reads a certificate of appreciation for a 21-year-old.
The certificate has been given by the vice-chancellor of Yashwantrao Chavan Open University as an acknowledgement of the academic efforts of 21-year-old Vaibhav Shinde who has been battling leukaemia for over three years now and is currently at Tata Memorial Hospital.
A native of Raigad, Vaibhav has been
in Mumbai ever since he was diagnosed with the disease. The Asian Age in its December 25 edition last year had reported on Vaibhav’s story, his
disease and his eternal desire and will to learn and educate himself, even
when it is virtually impossible for him to afford treatment. He currently needs at least `20 lakh for his treatment.
The vice-chancellor, Krishna Kumar, said, “After coming across the article, my instant reaction was to contribute in whatever way possible to Vaibhav’s life. And the fact that he is keen to learn made things easy for us.”
The VC immediately got Vaibhav enrolled into
a computer course at the hospital itself in January, and in the days to follow, he was given study material too.
“The fact that I have been given the certificate is gratifying, but what made me ecstatic was that I was enrolled to the course. I’d lost three years already but then this course came along. I couldn’t have asked for more,” Vaibhav told this correspondent.
Vaibhav is the first to be enrolled in this manner, but from now, there will be more. “We shall help other students who lost academic years similarly. We will identify students at Tata Memorial Hospital and from cancer societies and enrol them in courses they like and supply them with study material,” the vice-chancellor said.