Fifteen-year-old Prashanth seems to have an exciting future ahead of him. Sports Development Authority of Tamilnadu (SDAT) has selected him for an assignment with Madurai Sports Academy, which would enable him to play in national-level football tournaments.
“It has been my dream to become an accomplished footballer,” he says, kicking his yellow football.
Seven years ago, Prashanth would be seen near the Kodungaiyur dumpyard with a rag sack. The money he made as rag picker was not sufficient and he would beg for food. Many a time, while begging, he has been shooed away by passers-by.
“When we asked him if he wanted to come with us and lead a better life, he answered in the affirmative. So, we brought him here,” said Isabel Richardson, director of Madras Christian Council for Social Work (MCCSW).
While the doors of MCCSW were thrown open for Prasanth, his three sisters were sent to another home.
Born in Villupuram, the four children lost their father, who was an alcoholic, at a young age. Their mother Sengeni looked after them till she died, following a prolonged illness.
The four were later left at the mercy of their aunt, whose husband brought them to the city and got them into the rag-picking business.
“She was a very caring and beautiful woman, she wouldn’t have let us get into this if she had been alive,” said Prashanth of his mother, holding back his tears.
Life as rag pickers was living hell.
“We were left on the streets to survive, ” he said.
After his rescue, Prashanth was enrolled at a bridge academy. He later joined Don Bosco Higher Secondary School in Perambur. Slowly, things began to fall in place.
“I got interested in football and my PET master would coach me every day at 4 a.m. I started getting recognised, winning tournaments, and securing good grades in studies,” he said.
However, Prashanth could not play any zonal competition, as he did not have a birth certificate. Isabel spotted an SDAT advertisement in the newspaper and applied.
“I qualified for all the rounds and was one of the three to be selected from the city. That has been my proudest moment so far,” he said.
“I want to play like Lionel Messi, but my ambition is to become an IPS officer. I want to help every child so that they can lead a normal life,” he said.
