Bhupinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 22

While selling tea near construction sites in and around his nondescript Fattu Bhila village, 30 km from the city, during his childhood, Bhupinder Singh had nothing to dream about in his life.Now, while receiving training as a general duty soldier in the Sikh Light Infantry unit of the Army, Bhupinder (20), son of a labourer, wonders how the destiny had something else in store for him.With the recently earned badge of honour and the olive green on his back, Bhupinder returned triumphant to his village, bringing pride and joy to his family and the villagers.He recalls how he dropped out of Class V from a government school to support his family. The life took a turn in 2011 for this hardworking lad when he was serving tea to labourers at the construction site of Satya Bharti Adarsh School’s expansion project. He caught the attention of schoolteachers, who got him enrolled where he used to serve tea in Class VI to continue his studies.Initially, Bhupinder’s father was worried over the financial burden of studies, but he was soon brought to ease when he learnt that his son would get free education, uniform, textbooks, stationery and mid-day meal.Displaying a keen interest in science, he brought home several accolades for his academic progress, projects and models. Before he could complete his higher secondary, he cleared the entrance test for the Army.“From pouring tea to figuring out hydraulics, Satya Bharti School has brought wonderful surprises and the happiest of memories for me,” he said.Ravinder Vohra, Principal, Satya Bharti Adarsh Senior Secondary School, said, “Bhupinder had developed good work ethics during his school and with sheer perseverance and grit he overcame all the hurdles to accomplish his goals.”