The Heart of a Warrior: Sagar’s Inspiring Journey from Leukaemia to Leader
Life is very unpredictable, and when it plays its music, all you can do is dance on every beat. At 14, Sagar and his family moved from Borivali to Virar, leaving behind everything they knew. From a comfortable life to starting over in a small one-room apartment, everything changed. Life wasn’t easy, but Sagar, just a boy in 8th grade then, had no choice but to adapt to his new reality.The school he attended in Virar lacked structure, proper classes, and opportunities, yet it was here that his journey to becoming the person he is today began. After completing his 11th and 12th in Virar, Sagar’s life took another shocking turn. Just when he was preparing for his NEET exam to become a doctor, he started feeling unwell. His body wasn’t cooperating, he was vomiting frequently and feeling unusually weak, but he ignored the signs. Focused on his goal, he didn’t tell his family as he convinced himself that it was just exam stress. But on May 14th, his birthday, the truth came crashing down- Sagar was diagnosed with leukaemia, a type of blood cancer. The Fight Against Blood Cancer What followed was a battle that would test every part of who Sagar was. He was bedridden for over a year and a half, completely drained from the aggressive treatment. His dreams of becoming a doctor were slipping away, but he had no choice but to focus on survival. Many people who get exposed to such adverse situations give up mentally, but not Sagar. And, I believe that justifies the title of this blog- the heart of a warrior! During his time at Tata Memorial Hospital, he saw the harsh realities of life all around him. From little children to elderly patients, everyone was fighting the same fight. It changed something deep inside him. The boy who once lived day to day, not thinking much about the future, suddenly began to understand just how fragile and precious life is. That hospital ward became his classroom. He learned lessons that no school could teach– about resilience, about the power of human connection, and most of all, about gratitude. He started appreciating the little things. The moments with his family, the support from his loved ones. Even today, Sagar has to undergo blood transfusions every six months, a reminder of the battle he fought. But it is not something he views with fear anymore, it’s a reminder of how far he has come. A New Beginning: Discovering Apni Pathshala Though blood cancer took away Sagar’s dream of becoming a doctor, it didn’t take away his will to learn. He decided to study biotechnology, but life had other plans once again. In his second year of college, Sagar crossed paths with Apni Pathshala, which then started its learning pod at Narayan Chandra Trust. It was here that Sagar touched a computer for the first time. Yes, it sounds surprising. He was in college but had never used a computer before. Growing up, due to high computer coaching fees he couldn’t enrol in them. But Apni Pathshala gave him a way in. The initiative was a test by BeyondExams to see if students could benefit from free education in industry skills. For Sagar, it was nothing short of life-changing. Under the mentorship of Mr. Pankaj Baranwal and Ms.Simran Jain, Sagar, along with a few others, became the first batch of students to learn these skills. His mentors saw something in him. His drive, his willingness to learn despite all the setbacks. They encouraged him to go beyond just academics and learn practical skills. And so, he started teaching younger students, passing on the knowledge that had been given to him for free. He became a bridge between the children from underprivileged communities and the education they desperately needed. From Learner to Leader Sagar’s dedication didn’t go unnoticed. His mentors, impressed by his growth, gave him the responsibility of managing the Apni Pathshala’s learning pod in Virar. This wasn’t just about computers anymore, it was about leading a group of students, managing the learning pod, and making sure the initiative continued. He went from being a student to a leader, someone who others looked up to. In this role, Sagar learned more than he ever imagined. He gained people skills, learned how to manage projects, and more importantly, he discovered the power of community. He realised how much could be achieved when people work together, when someone believes in you and gives you a chance to grow. Lessons for Life: Be Like Water! Sagar’s journey is one of transformation. He went from a boy struggling with blood cancer to a young leader shaping the future of his community. One of the biggest lessons he has learned is this: “Be like water.” Life doesn’t always go the way we plan, but if we are adaptable, if we can change shape and flow with the challenges, we can still find our way. Had Sagar continued on the path of biotechnology, he would have ended up in a lab, limited to a single field. But by embracing the opportunities that came his way, he discovered a whole new world. One where he could connect with people, teach them, and build something that had a lasting impact. He remembers the words of Dr. Anirudh Malpani, MD of Apni Pathshala, who once told him, “The goal should not just be to be rich, but rich enough to help others.”. And, this became Sagar’s philosophy for life. Sagar’s Vision for Education Today, Sagar believes that education should be student-centric, and not curriculum driven. According to him, there are two Indias. One where students are prepared for IITs and top universities, while others don’t even have access to a computer. Through Apni Pathshala, Sagar hopes to bridge that gap, giving every child a chance to grow, and achieve their dreams. Always remember, where there is a will, there is a way. Sagar’s story leaves us with a powerful reminder: Life may