"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
22 May 2023
In the remote village of Kelve, located 120 km from Mumbai, water scarcity plagued the lives of its residents. Pranav Ramesh Salkar, a young boy living in this village in Maharashtra's Palghar district, was deeply disturbed by the daily struggle his mother faced in fetching water from a distant river. Determined to put an end to her hardships, Pranav embarked on an extraordinary adventure that defied his age.
With unwavering determination, Pranav began digging a well in the premises of their humble home. From dawn till dusk, he tirelessly worked, taking only a brief fifteen-minute break for lunch. Day after day, he relentlessly dug, fueled by the desire to save his mother from the arduous journey to fetch water.
After five days of back-breaking labor, water finally cascaded into the well. Pranav celebrated this triumph, knowing that he had succeeded in rescuing his mother from her daily ordeal. News of his remarkable achievement quickly spread, turning Pranav into a local hero in not only his village but also the neighboring ones.
Visitors flocked to witness the well that Pranav had painstakingly created. His friends and family members, along with curious onlookers from nearby villages, gathered around, amazed by the determination and resilience displayed by the young boy.
Recognizing Pranav's exceptional efforts, the Panchayat Samiti extended their support by installing a tap in his house. The village school teacher, impressed by Pranav's dedication, also paid a visit to witness the fruit of his labor.
Pranav, a 9th-grade student at the local Adarsh Vidya Mandir, expressed his joy and relief, knowing that his mother would no longer have to trek to the river for water. His selfless act of digging a well became a symbol of hope and resilience in the community, inspiring others to address their challenges creatively.