Our world needs more heroes. Why wait for them when you can become one of them? This story is also about a real life hero, whose own dreams shattered, but he is fulfilling other’s dreams with his own money and time. He is head constable Amit Lathia, posted in Delhi. He has adopted more than 350 underprivileged youngsters till now and helped them with food, accommodation and preparation for jobs. Of them 181 children have secured governments jobs.
Speaking exclusively with Indian Masterminds, Amit Lathia, Head Constable in Mobile Crime Team in Rohini District, Delhi Police, narrated his inspiring journey.
NATIONAL LEVEL PLAYER
Belonging to Sonipat, Haryana, Amit Lathia’s father was a small farmer. He did his graduation in 2007 and was aspiring to make his career in sports. He was national level sprinter and Kabaddi Player as well. But his life turned turtle when his father had a heart-attack in 2008. He left the sports due to bad financial condition.
In such bad times, one of school teachers supported financially and motivated him to prepare for a police job.
POLICE JOB
In 2010, he passed the examinations of Delhi Police to become a constable. He then started teaching children both in academics and physical training.
But the philanthropy consumed his entire salary upsetting his family members. “The hardships i faced inspired me to help others,” he says.
DAILY COMMUTING
Initially, Amit rented a room in Sonipat to teach 10 poor children. Of these, 4 children got employed in government jobs. But it was not such easy task.
Amit had to travel daily from Sonipat to Delhi while managing multiple things simultaneously.
THE ACCIDENT
Meanwhile, the playground of the Jatt College where these poor children used to practice for physical examination was closed down for some reason. The children then started preparing on the road.
One day these children were racing on the road when a truck hit them from behind. Three children list their lives in the accident and many others were injured.
But Amit did not give up. Now he decided to build a playground for these children.
SPORTS GROUND
His search ended at a secluded government land being used for garbage dumping.
He took a loan of Rs 10 lakh for developing the dumping place into a sport ground. It was christened ‘Bhagat Singh Sport Ground’.
MARRIAGE
Amit married Manju in 2015 sans. 57 units of blood were collected at a blood donation camp organised on the wedding day to give a social message.
Amit and Manju took an extra wedding vow and made a promise to themselves to continue sponsoring the education of poor children.
Son is wife too started teaching the children while preparing herself for further studies. Manju passed the HPSC exam and became assistant professor of Mathematics. Now, she is also doing PhD.
HELPING
Amit has also built a library in a school in Sonipat. Amit has taken 3 flats on rent in Sonipat, so that these children can live there. He makes arrangements for education, accommodation and food for those poor children.
He spends all his salary on the children’s education while her wife’s salary tune runs the home.
Amit said, “I try to adopt 25 underprivileged children every year. If any of them gets the job and place is vacant, then I adopt new one.”
