Labourer's son wins national logo design contest

A 33-year old PhD student Nawaj Shaikh, whose design was selected as the best out of 3000 entries for the government's new education policy, was inspired by his uncle for his creative ventures.

"We were a very poor family, barely able to afford school, but my uncle took great pains to teach me drawing, sketching and other creative activities as a hobby. I participated in several state or national level competitions in the pasta I am honoured and happy my design was selected for the HRD initiative," Nawaj Shaikh told IANS here Tuesday.

The inspiration for the new logo design came from that of the ongoing Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which depicts a pair of spectacle representing Mahatma Gandhi's famous eyepiece, designed by Maharashtra's Anant Khasbardar.

Nawaj Shaikh will get a cash award of Rs.10,000 for his effort, but the achievement has shot him into the national limelight with felicitations pouring in from all over India.

Currently pursuing his doctorate in HIV research through Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nawaj is employed as a Technical Officer with National AIDS Research Institute (NARI), Pune.

Discussing his convictions, as he helps his wife Aasama - a fashion designer, tend to their recently-born son, leading to the award winning logo, Nawaj said that education is the greatest leveller for a country like India and helps achieve the dreams and aspirations of the people.

However, he considers himself and brother Abdulgani as 'fortunate' to get good education, first in a district school at his native Shindewadi village in Solapur, where his father Najir was a daily wage labourer earning Rs.300 a month, while his mother Sharifa looked after the home, and later in other higher education institutions in Pune.

Seeing the family's economically weak condition, the school chipped in by giving freeships to Nawaj and Abdulgani, both parents, supported them in studies instead of making them labour and Nawaj dedicated himself to academics.

Abdulgani has joined the Maharashtra Police as Nawaj set his trails in health and education as a proud Najir continues to work in a field, but this time owned by his son Abdulgani.

On his part, Nawaj says he can now afford to admit his son to a good private English school anywhere, but has chosen the same district school where he studied decades ago, for his son, too.

Perhaps, another star will be made out of a humble rural school.