Life can be unpredictable. It often throws challenges when we least expect them. For Sai Prasad Pujari, an orphan who grew up in the Narayan Chandra Trust orphanage, life’s unpredictability became a medium for his transformation. His journey began with a childhood unlike other kids- At just 5, he lost his parents and he and his younger brother were brought to the Narayan Chandra Trust orphanage in Virar. Their paternal grandmother, who had been raising them on her own, could no longer support them. Life in the orphanage surrounded Sai with other children who had similar experiences of loss, but the environment often felt more like a strict boarding school than a home. Discipline and following routine became the core values of his life.
For most of his childhood, Sai felt a deep loneliness despite the people around him. The orphanage was a safe place, but it wasn’t home. At times, he felt invisible and wished he could avoid his reality. Yet, even in this setting, there were small sparks of joy, moments when he got lost in dreams or played with friends.
“Time heals everything”, they say. Eventually, he started liking the life out there and began a new journey- his journey!
Small Dreams, Simple Wishes
Growing up, Sai didn’t allow himself to dream big. The orphanage walls felt like the limits of his world, making it hard to imagine a future beyond them. However, despite the challenges he faced, Sai discovered a small joy in computers. He found himself interested in computer hardware. He loved to open machines, see how they worked and put them back together. Even when someone came to repair computers/machines in the orphanage, he used to sit beside him and see how he did it. The focus, interest and passion was quite visible in his eyes.
While it might not have seemed like a grand dream to others, for Sai, it was his passion! Every time he successfully repaired a device, he felt a small victory, a reminder that he could create something from nothing. This passion for technology gave a sense of ambition, allowing him to have some goals. “Engineer banna hai” was his reply to every question related to his career. And that was his first step towards his destiny.
Turning Point of his Life!
As Sai approached his 18th birthday, he faced a new challenge: the orphanage policy that required children to leave the place and find jobs upon turning 18. Moreover, he was 2 years older than his classmates due to late admission. So, it was in class 10th when he faced this crisis. Legally, the trust couldn’t keep him any longer, and he had to step into the world on his own. Suddenly, the reality of life outside the orphanage struck him. This is because he never thought about the world beyond those walls. He never thought of the future. His daily routine involved getting up, eating breakfast, going to school and then sleeping. Sai felt an overwhelming fear—a fear of not knowing where to go or what to do next. The fear of the unknown! Life was challenging, and every day brought its own set of uncertainties, but through it all, he held onto that quiet dream.
Determined to create his own path, Sai sought help from after-care NGOs in Mumbai. There he learned the importance of gaining new skills and exploring internships and freelancing. He learnt about the software part of computers and learnt skills in that domain. He enrolled in various courses, slowly and steadily building a skill set that would eventually make him grow.
During this period, Sai completed his 11th and 12th grades while staying at Narayan Chandra Trust. He was allowed to stay there on several conditions- he had to get good grades, follow a strict routine, do some chores like cleaning and most importantly, discipline. Without thinking much, he agreed. This is because they provided him shelter and support when he thought everything was over. Balancing his studies with daily chores in the orphanage wasn’t easy, but he did it. Eventually he completed his schooling and enrolled himself in Bsc. in Information Technology in college to learn more about computers.
A Life-Changing Connection
Here comes the important plot twist of his life- the entry of Apni Pathshala & BeyondExams!
So, as Sai completed his schooling and started his graduation, the orphanage at Narayan Chandra Trust was shut down. The money that was kept for it was invested in building a computer learning pod in its place- Apni Pathshala’s learning pod! To make education and digital literacy reach every corner of India, this transformative idea was Apni Pathshala’s MD, Dr. Aniruddha Malpani’s brainchild.
He was a part of the first batch, so yes, it was special. Crossing paths with ApniPathshala marked a turning point in his life. Along with other kids with unprivileged backgrounds, he practised computers and learnt different concepts. But, there was this challenge- initially, Sai struggled to adapt to the curriculum, as it was very unstructured and he felt overwhelmed. But then BeyondExams came into the picture and reignited the fire of learning. They provided him with a structured curriculum that guided Sai and all the other kids through the path they chose.
Because of the collaboration between BeyondExams and Apni Pathshala, he discovered a supportive platform that allowed him to pursue his interests without being held back by his age. Sai realised he could explore various skills and secure internships, allowing him to take important steps toward his dreams. “It was like a new beginning for me,” he said.
From Student to Mentor to Manager
With the encouragement of ApniPathshala and BeyondExams, Sai began mentoring other children from similar backgrounds. For the first time, he was no longer the quiet, introspective boy living on the sidelines. He was a mentor, a guide, and a friend. Guiding these children gave him a sense of purpose he had once thought impossible. He could see himself in them—their fears, their uncertainties, and their small, fragile dreams. And as he encouraged them to dream bigger and work harder, he felt his own confidence growing.
Becoming a mentor was more than just a role for Sai—it was a way of healing. He realised that by helping others find their way, he was finding his own. The shy boy who once feared speaking up was now leading discussions, offering advice, and sharing stories of resilience. Every time he spoke to a child, every time he offered comfort, Sai was building his own strength and future on a foundation of compassion and courage. And this became the foundation of his success story.
His excellent efforts and hard work didn’t go unnoticed. The senior management saw his growth as an individual, and then he was given the opportunity to manage the whole learning pod. Sai’s growth as a person was afraid to make decisions, to someone so mature and responsible shows what hard work and determination can do.
The Strength in Friendship and Belonging
Throughout his journey, Sai found immense support in friendships that became lifelines in times of need. During the interview, he specially mentioned his mentors- Mr.Pankaj Baranwal from BeyondExams, Mr. Vijay Sarathe– the chairman of Narayan Chandra Trust, Dr. Anirudhha Malpani- and his close friend, Sagar, were pillars of strength who believed in him when he struggled to believe in himself. They stood by him, helping him see that he was not alone in his journey and that he was capable of achieving far more than he realised. Their encouragement was a reminder that he didn’t have to carry the weight of his past by himself.
The bond with his mentors and his overall friendships taught him that strength doesn’t always mean doing things alone. It means allowing others to support you, letting them guide you when the path gets dark, and leaning on them when you’re too tired to walk. Sai’s friends became his family, showing him that love and loyalty are not bound by blood. They helped him see his potential, pushing him to take risks, dream bigger, and work harder.
Today, Sai has become the guide he once wished for in his own life, offering children not just lessons in academics but lessons about hope, and courage. In his words, “Believe in yourself. Don’t wait for others to push you forward. Take the first step yourself, and the path will start to unfold.” These words aren’t just advice- they’re the truth he lives by, a truth he’s discovered through years of struggle, pain, and growth. Sai’s success story reminds us that no matter how difficult our beginnings, we can rise above them, rewrite our stories, and build futures that are rich with purpose and love.Ready to support and learn from journeys like his? Connect with Apni Pathshala and BeyondExams today to make a difference!
