Father is a laborer, mother sold her jewelery so that her son could study, Vaibhav will now study abroad.

Apart from the Chevening Scholarship, Vaibhav received the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship to the University of East Anglia and the University of Leeds. He will now pursue an MSc in Environment and Development at the University of Leeds. Vaibhav completed his early education in extreme poverty.

Poverty is such a thing that destroys even the greatest idols, but if there is passion to do something, then poverty can never become a hindrance. Such is the story of Vaibhav Sonone, who lives in a small village in Washim district of Maharashtra. Who have won Chevening Scholarships and Commonwealth Shared Scholarships funded by the United Kingdom Government and will now go abroad to study. Vaibhav's parents are daily wage labourers.

Vaibhav completed his studies till 12th from a government residential school. Sonone, from a Scheduled Caste, is the first person in his family to go to college. Other members of the family are construction workers, who hail from a small village in Washim district of Maharashtra. According to media reports, he was given guidance by the Global Scholar Program of Eklavya Foundation for the application process to study abroad.

Will study at Leeds University

In 2023, Sonnon won the Chevening Scholarship and the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, funded by the United Kingdom Government. She has chosen the Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue an MSc in Environment and Development at the University of Leeds. He said that education is the only thing that can change the situation because it is the only capital we have.

used to cross the river to school

Till class 4, Sonone studied in a government primary school in the village. After that he was transferred to another government school for upper primary level. It was 6 km away from his home and what was more troubling was that it was across a river. He told that for two years I had to cross the river, which used to flood due to heavy rainfall in my area. He was again transferred to Shri Sakharam Maharaj Vidyalaya, a residential government school run by Sahara Maharathi Institute.

School was top in class 10th

He was also given the keys to the library by the school and was given the freedom to read whatever book he wanted. Over the next four years he studied widely and diligently. Vaibhav had topped the school in class 10th with 66 percent marks.

Mother sold jewelery for son's education

After completing 12th, he borrowed Rs 2000 and came to Pune. He applied to many colleges for admission and finally got admission in BA Political Science in Ferguson College. After staying at a distant aunt's house for a few days, he moved into a college hostel. His mother had to sell jewelery to pay the price.

Many professors also helped Vaibhav. Vaibhav also borrowed money from many professors to pay the mess and college fees. He graduated with 75 per cent and distinction and took admission in the MA in Development program of Azim Premji University.