From ragpicker to US college undergraduate, Salman's incredible journey an inspiration to all

MUMBAI: Salman Syyed has come a long way from his humble background as a ragpicker and street vendor in Mumbai to joining an undergraduate course at the Houston Community College in Texas. Salman had faced hardships that many of us would even shudder to think. But this young lad refused to surrender to what his meager life had to offer, and as he set out this incredible journey of his life, he ended up being an inspiration to all.

Like any other street children in this megacity, it was a daily struggle for Salman to make his ends meet. While his mother was a ragpicker, Salman sold books at the traffic signals. “I eventually graduated being a ragpicker to selling books on footpaths,” he declared.

However, Salman was different from his peers as he chooses the path of hard work and honesty, and besides all, he liked reading books. Although Salman had to drop out of school in Class II to help earn money for the family, he never abandoned his studies.

“Back then, I would read the books to know, read and write some English words,” he told DNA in an interview from Houston. However, on a lighter vein, he added, he liked some books more than others because he sold them more.

Salman, now an avid fan of the Kite Runner fame Khaled Hossaini, said he really had a tough time growing up because of meager income of the family back then.

“On some days, she (mother) would have money, but on others, it was tough,” Salman said in a video produced by Voice of Ram and shared on this year's Teacher’s Day.

Salman has great respect for Caroline 'didi' who helped him in his studies and also to travel abroad. “She was my guardian angel, who ensured that I studied and then helped me go abroad. I visited New York and it was an amazing experience,” said Salman in the video.

Ram Subramanian, the head of Voice of Ram, said he first met Salman while he was selling books at Haji Ali footpath. “We spent some time together and I was amazed at how he was able to perceive individuals. His observation skills are quite brilliant,” he said.

“Salman was spotted by Caroline, a teacher with the NGO Akanksha, who encouraged him to go back to school. He passed his Class X and XII with flying colours and then studied sociology at KC College in Mumbai. To pay for his education, Salman worked as a tour guide in the city,” Subramanian told DNA.

“I have dreams of starting my own tour company. I will start in Mumbai, branch out throughout India, and then go global,” Salman said.

The video was shot before Salman went to the US where he is studying entrepreneurship.