A Rajput boy who had once played innocently in the streets of Rajkot suddenly found himself thrust into manhood. Life gave him no time to transition smoothly from childhood to youth. First, he had to leave Rajkot and then settle in Bhuj. Circumstances( father being cheated by a family member/partner in Rajkot) and responsibilities robbed him of his innocence in an instant. As a result, his family was in debt, and they had to sell all their properties and leave for Bhuj.

Being born into a Rajput family, Shrikant carried the pride of his ancestors in his veins. He was raised on stories of bravery told by his grandmother. His grandmother was also a retired government teacher.

With great moral values, Shrikant decided to leave his studies and search for work to earn a living. As he couldn't see his mother working in Bhuj, and a depressed father. There were four in the family: mother, father, elder sister, and Shrikant himself.

So the easy way he found was a bit off track, but he had no choice. Lastly, he entered the world of bootlegging not out of greed, but out of desperation. His mother worked tirelessly, washing dishes and clothes in other people's homes, yet their earnings were never enough. The struggle to survive in Kutch, coupled with Gujarat's prohibition laws, made bootlegging a risky yet lucrative option, and Shrikant had no choice. There were Men twice his age with whom he was competing. So he began ferrying small bottles under the blanket of night. Yes!! His heart did pound with every whistle of the police and every shadow in the alley.

His mother often said, "Why do you risk beta?"

The answer he gave was simple: "Because hunger doesn't wait, Ma."

Destiny had something else written as-The money he earned, however, never brought him the comfort he had hoped for. Every rupee he made went towards hospital bills and medical expenses for his family. His elder sister had suffered a brain stroke during this phase, and his father's prolonged illness due to depression was added to the burden. Shrikant's earnings were swallowed up by the never-ending medical costs, leaving him trapped in a cycle of struggle.

Gradually, time passed, and they faced many problems along with the earthquake that occurred in Kutch. The leaking roof and terrible conditions made Shrikant fight for life.

He used to get all the drinks and stuff from Mumbai. It was hard to get and transport by bus. More than 12 hours journey and back to work. Then he had some money in spare, which he invested in a clothing business, which was going well.

Due to bootlegging, he was once arrested and had to stay in jail overnight. The next day, he was out on bail. He was given bail by his long-time lawyer friend, later his girlfriend(Priti)....then..

After this incident, his life changed for good. He started concentrating more on the clothing business. There was some stability in his business, but life ...Life has something else written for Shrikant. The clothing business was declining due to some unforeseen reasons. But Shrikant's girlfriend was there with him in thick and thin conditions. She motivated him and inspired him to do legal work.

Seeing the time changing, his mother was proud and happy.

" Well done, "she said, patting his back. This gave him the courage to work harder.

Time !! Flies soon.... Shrikant was 20. Years passed by, he was still young but old enough to decide and leave bootlegging, but still he decided to move to Mumbai, a "city of dreams" as all say. Mumbai has its own story of high-rise buildings, skyscrapers, and an ocean surrounding the city. Reaching Mumbai, he saw people commuting day and night and thought of starting a taxi business. Hence, I bought a second-hand car and began working on a hiring basis. Each ride brought him joy and a story to recollect. The income was good, and he gradually expanded his business, buying more cars. Life seemed to be moving in the right direction, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought everything to a standstill. Despite the setbacks, Shrikant's hard work and optimism kept him going. He refused to give up, determined to build a better future for himself and his family.

He sold his cars and started another roadside eatery business. Which worked well and flourished. Then, after some time, his father passed away, so he got his mother and sister to Mumbai as well. Then life was quite peaceful for him and his family.

Shrikant's ( Rajput by blood) story is a testament to the human spirit's ability to persevere in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges he faced, he continued to work hard and find new opportunities. His determination and resilience serve as an inspiration to others who may be facing similar struggles. It’s a true journey of hope.

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