Sydney student tackles master's degree from home in Delhi slum
Tushar Joshi (far left) with mother Samta, father Santosh and sister Juhi in Mayapuri, west Delhi.
Remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has brought challenges for many students, but Tushar Joshi鈥檚 circumstances are tougher than most.
Tushar, who lives in the Mayapuri slum community in west Delhi, has won the 2021 Sydney Scholars India Equity Scholarship, worth up to $60,000 a year.
In August he commenced his Master of International Relations, specialising in International Law.
Tushar, 22, connects to online classes in the one-room home he shares with his mother, father and sister. At night, to avoid disturbing his family鈥檚 sleep, he studies in a corner by the light of a dim lamp.
Just outside their home is one of Delhi鈥檚 largest open drains, which fills the house with flies and mosquitoes. Their community sits beside a railway line and the noise of passing trains is deafening.
鈥淭here is a lot of noise,鈥� said Tushar. 鈥淎s part of this scholarship, I will receive a stipend, which will allow me to pay to go to a reading hall to study in peace and quiet.鈥�
The University鈥檚 India Equity Scholarship for residents of slum communities in Delhi was created in collaboration with Indian charity, the Asha Community Health and Development Society. The scholarship is one of the University鈥檚 most generous, covering postgraduate tuition fees, a living allowance, textbooks and 鈥� when Tushar is able to travel to Sydney 鈥� flights, health insurance and a place at St Paul's College.
During the pandemic, the University is also providing essentials for remote study, including a laptop and high-speed internet.
鈥淭his scholarship recognises the vital importance of Australia鈥檚 relationship with India and reflects our commitment to help talented students realise their potential, whatever their financial situation,鈥� said Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Mark Scott.
鈥淲e are delighted to welcome Tushar to the University and can鈥檛 wait for him to join us in person as soon as it鈥檚 safe to do so.鈥�
I鈥檇 like to make a positive contribution in my life because I understand the difference it can make when you support people.
Scholarship recipient Tushar Joshi
Tushar is the first in his family to attend university. His father Santosh, a labourer in a scrapyard, is illiterate. His mother, Samta, supplements the family income by looking after young children.
鈥淭o see their child studying at such a university as Sydney 鈥� my parents are very excited,鈥� said Tushar. 鈥淭here is a hope that we will come out of the slum community.鈥�
Until he was 15 years old, Tushar expected to become a labourer like his father. He was, he said, 鈥渁 mediocre student鈥� until the Asha Society provided him with free academic coaching and study materials. After performing strongly in his final high school exams, he went on to complete his BA (Hons) History at the University of Delhi, again with support from Asha.
He spoke no English when he began his undergraduate degree 鈥� one of several things that marked him as different from his fellow students.
鈥淚n India, the language you speak says a lot about your background. I often felt out of place,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I had knowledge of my subjects and my professors supported me at every turn.鈥�
He hopes one day to work for the United Nations, helping others. 鈥淚鈥檇 like to make a positive contribution in my life because I understand the difference it can make when you support people,鈥� he said.
The Asha Society is still an important part of his life. He is an ambassador for the organisation, encouraging other students from his community to finish school and pursue tertiary education.
鈥淚 met Asha鈥檚 founder and director, Dr Kiran Martin, when I began my university education,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he took me under her wing and has been mentoring me ever since. She has opened unbelievable doors of opportunity for me, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have her in my life.鈥�
During India鈥檚 nationwide pandemic lockdown in 2020, many in Tushar鈥檚 community lost their jobs, including his father. During this time, while his own family was surviving on a single meal each day, Tushar joined the Asha Warriors, a team of approximately 300 Asha-supported students who visited homes, distributing food and essential supplies, and encouraging people in their communities to wear masks, observe social distancing requirements and wash their hands.
As he embarks upon his two-year degree, Tushar is enjoying the focus on critical thinking, and the opportunity to study with students from other parts of the world.
He is looking forward to a time when he can come to Sydney in person.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited about the diversity of Australia,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 want to live in that kind of community.鈥�
About the scholarship
- The Sydney Scholars India Equity Scholarship for postgraduate course work was created in collaboration with the Asha Society.
- The scholarship is worth up to AU$60,000 a year.聽
- It is available to current residents of communities in Delhi, India, where the Asha Society works. Asha works with the University of Sydney to identify potential candidates.
