Inspiration – Episode 1

An excerpt from the chronicles of Shri Kalicharan Mukhopadhyay
Series Title: Inspiration 

After a long time, Shri Kalicharan Mukhopadhyay happened to meet his childhood friend Ratan and warmly brought him along to a casual breakfast gathering.

Over tea, Shri Ratan Babu shared some reflections from his life. Hence we are presenting  that conversation here. This marks the beginning of a series titled “Inspiration”,

On Thursday night (15/06/25), while returning from a wedding in Dum Dum, I booked an Ola cab. It usually takes about thirty minutes to reach Uttarpara from there.

We were engaged in conversation among ourselves when the car entered Uttarpara. My husband casually asked the driver, “Where are you from?”
The driver replied, “Sealdah.”

He was then asked, “How many trips do you do in a day?”
He answered, “Around 8 to 10. But I drive only once a month.”

Surprised, I asked, “Why only once?”
He smiled and said, “Type ‘Ola Uber driver Ashoke Kumar Singh’ on Google.”
We were intrigued.

“Google?” we asked.
“Please check,” he insisted.

So, we did. And what we found truly left us speechless.

His daughter, Aditi Singh, is one of the first three female neurosurgeons of India. She topped her board exams under the ICSE curriculum from West Bengal, ranked in competitive exams, and pursued medical studies with a scholarship.

She completed her FRCS from London and later joined AIIMS, Delhi, as a neurosurgeon.

Today, she is based in London but visits AIIMS once a year for a month to treat critical patients. Not only in India or the UK, she is sought after for complex surgeries across the globe.

We were stunned, but the surprises weren’t over yet.

At this point, you might be thinking this is just another success story that surfaces every exam season on TV or in newspapers. But no — this story is different.

The gentleman began telling us his own story.

He came to Kolkata from Chapra, Bihar, in fifth grade, in search of work.
He spent three years washing dishes at a hotel near Sealdah.

With the little money he saved, he re-enrolled in school and completed his secondary and higher secondary education.

But juggling work and studies was becoming increasingly difficult. So he learned to drive and began working as a driver during the day, and studied at night.

To earn more, he also started driving ambulances.
Eventually, he completed his graduation and a Master’s degree.

He got married, and after marriage, sold his wife's gold necklace to buy a car.

He started driving independently while preparing for competitive exams.
He later secured a job at SBI and retired as a Manager. Today, he receives a monthly pension of ₹52,000.

Sounds like a story straight out of a fairy tale, doesn’t it? But it isn’t fiction.

What’s more impressive is that despite everything, this man hasn’t forgotten his roots or his values.

You might think he drives once a month out of nostalgia or humility.
But the real reason? Here's the next revelation.

He drives once a month not for money, but to raise funds to support 35 visually impaired children.

He takes no financial help from his children — not from his daughter, nor his son who lives in Chicago.

He said with a proud smile,
“I travel, eat, and enjoy life on my children’s earnings.
But this — this is something I do entirely on my own.”

As our car reached home, we asked if we could take a photo with him. He politely refused, but eventually agreed to two pictures after much convincing.

We all live. We all work.
But how many of us truly live for others?

This is my personal reflection — life gains meaning not just by existing for oneself, but by doing something for others.

There are many such unsung heroes among us — those who expect no fame or validation, and yet dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the betterment of others.

Stay blessed, Mr. Ashoke Kumar Singh.

(Curated and edited)
– Keltu Mahashay
Date: ................

From the Desk of the QC Head, Achievers

The Educational Takeaway: “Be the Spark That Inspires”

At Achievers, we believe true education extends beyond textbooks. It is about learning from the lives of those around us — especially individuals like Mr. Ashoke Kumar Singh, who exemplify perseverance, integrity, and selfless service.

To all our students:
Success is not always about rank or income. It is about character — how you overcome obstacles and what you give back to society. This story teaches us that even in the humblest of roles, one can make the biggest difference.

Let this inspire you not just to dream big, but also to give back.
Because knowledge, when combined with empathy and purpose, is what truly shapes a life worth living.

— Quality Control Head
Achievers Education