Meet Somnath Giram, he is a tea seller. What’s so great about Somnath Giram? He has been appointed as Maharashtra’s Brand Ambassador of Education. This 28-year-old tea seller from Pune defied all odds and cleared his CA (Chartered Accountancy) exams. Hailing from a humble background, Somnath Giram is a son of a farmer. Lack of funds made it impossible for this gritty soul to pursue his BCom and so in 2008, he left his hometown of Solapur.

Somnath’s sole aim was to study. In an interview with the DNA, he said, ”It was in 2008 that I landed in Pune with an empty pocket and no skill to try hands on. I managed to open a small chai tapri (tea-stall) in Sadashiv Peth area. The business grew along with my desire to pursue higher studies. I sat late into nights, studying.”

Presently, Somnath has started practicing as a CA but his tea stall still exists. He has hired help to run it. Ecstatic yet nervous about his new responsibility as brand ambassador, Somnath said, “But with the new responsibility of brand ambassador, I am a bit worried. I don’t know how to give speeches.”

The Maharashtra government hopes that Somnath’s story of hard work and struggle will inspire the youth of the state and many students who cannot complete their education due to lack of funds will be encouraged to fulfill their dreams.

There is no substitute for hard work and well…and a good cuppa of cutting chai.