In order to ensure that 960 slum kids studying at Malwani’s Holy Mother English School can continue with their studies amid the pandemic, 52-year-old principal Mohammad Rafique Siddiqui has literally used up all his savings to keep the school running. He had started the school by selling his house in 2004, but as he was not being able to keep it afloat, last month he rented out the library and science laboratory rooms on a deposit fee of Rs 5 lakh to pay the salaries of the staff and utility bills. Even though he has a physical disability, he has been working relentlessly to keep the school going and help those affected by the pandemic.

Holy Mother English School at Malwani, Malad West. Pic/Anurag Ahire