By living in anxiety and worries, most of us make our lives a living hell. But here is a 12-year old blind kid who goes on stage to sing and preach a line or two on confidence building, to live a beautiful life. What stood out was not the fact that he was just 12 years old and visually impaired, but the immense social work he has carried out in a stipulated time. This child prodigy has given over 300 lectures on Female Feticide, Eye Donation, Dowry, and Education in various colleges, schools, conferences, and institutions. He has travelled over 30,000 km in his tattered clothes with his dad, spreading positivity, inspiration and a ray of hope amongst people who complain on just about everything one has to deal with in life. Amidst all this, he still manages to stand first in his school. Presenting to you an interesting interview, not of the kid, Chetan Uchitkar, but his father’s, who has been the eyes for young Chetan’s vision, Mr. Panduranga Uchitkar.
Living a Modest Life
I stay with my wife, Ganga, in a village called Keketumra in Washim district, which is in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. We lead a happy and content life in a small house. Wherever we go, we just take the bus or train ticket charges if the organisers are willing to pay. Any other money collected by us goes directly to Chetan’s donation to the society. He is just 12 and has already adopted 5 visually impaired kids- supporting their basic needs and education.
Grandma Tells a Story
Chetan’s grandma started narrating stories to him when he was about 5. We were amazed by his ability to retell the same story with great fascination to his friends or anyone of us. We could see that God had GIFTED him abundantly to compensate for the lost eye sight. Chetan has always dreamt of becoming a musician. We encouraged him to learn music and envisaged that we will be his eyes for all his dreams. The public started inviting him for talks and now undoubtedly, over 150-200 motivational stories are on the tip of his tongue. The audience go back with renewed energy after listening to Chetan’s talk and music. He is the beacon of hope not just for us, but to all his fan followers who have even gone to an extent of publishing a short book on Chetan!
Giving Vision to Villages
One day I was walking with Chetan in our village and he heard a kid telling his parents that he could not study. Chetan asked why that was the case. Was it because of the fact that even the other kid was blind? I said no. Since we stay in a village, most of us either have no electricity or very limited supply. That day Chetan asked me to put all his earnings to provide solar lamps to the village. The immediate next Diwali, he gave away 100 solar panels and solar lights. I am sure that he has donated over 4 lakhs for all his social activities so far and this money has come from his busy schedule- thanks to the organisers who invite Chetan to various events.
When you have Everything to Live…
I have seen a lot of youngsters or farmers who have pledged to bounce back in their lives with moist eyes, when Chetan says- “Friends, look at me for a minute. I carry the burden of sorrow in my blind eyes. I have no idea what light is. Yet I am very happy. Almighty has sent me to be like this and I am happy with his instructions. I have learnt to be content with abilities and things that I have. I don’t cry for what I do not have. But friends, when you have everything why are you even thinking of committing suicide? Value of life is much more than famine or failure to clear exams or any depression!”
We at KnowYourStar.com (KYS) first heard about Chetan from Kannada News Daily, Vijayavani’s Chief Sub Editor- Ravindra Deshmukh, who described Chetan’s story as “Public Speaking, Music, Social Service and Visually Impaired Kid“. We spoke to both Panduranga and Chetan. They left us speechless with sheer innocence, heartfelt conversations, and overflowing positivity. Do invite Chetan if you are hosting an event and catch him live speaking/performing in Hindi/Marathi. This would be a great way to indirectly contribute to 12-year old Chetan’s social work; a vision to improve India. We wish Chetan and Panduranga the best of health and prosperity. Keep inspiring!