23 BMC workers clear class X exam, thank boss for motivation

It's always 'better late than never', even in clearing exams.

This has been proved by the Mumbai civic body's 23 class IV employees, including two women, all aged between 30 and 50, who recently cleared their class X examination.

Their determination has not only made them a role model for other such employees in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), but also paves way for their salary increment and improves their chances of getting promotions, Assistant Municipal Commissioner Udaykumar Shiroorkar said.

"Ever since the news of their success has spread, the confidence of other such employees has also gone up. I am flooded with requests to enrol them in school for the next academic year, which is a good sign," said Shiroorkar, who spearheaded the campaign to improve the literacy level among the civic body's class IV workers.

He said the idea to enrol the workers for studies came to his mind last year when he visited the Dongri Municipal School and learnt that it was going to shut down due to non-availability of students.

"I discussed the idea of going to school with a few class IV BMC employees who are working as sweepers, manhole cleaners and road and pipeline repairmen. I convinced them to work during the day and study at night, to which they readily agreed and started their studies at the Dongri Municipal School," the official said.