Aishwarya has been writing to Narendra Modi for the last two years, highlighting issues related to infrastructure, education, and food and shelter for every citizen.
When Aishwarya Kanke would send letters to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, she never expected any acknowledgement from him. However, the 16-year-old was pleasantly surprised when she recently received a reply from the PM, appreciating her handwritten letters and the issues she has highlighted in them.
"I never wrote to him expecting any reply, just whatever issues I would come across in day-to-day life and thought were important enough to bring to his notice. I couldn't believe when a letter arrived to my house, addressed to me by the PM of the country," said the Borivli-resident, currently pursuing her HSC from KES Shroff College in Kandivli.
Aishwarya had been writing to Modi long before he took the PM post. "He has always been my idol and I believe that he can bring change in the country. I have written to him many times, highlighting issues related to infrastructure, education, and food and shelter for every citizen," she added.
However, Modi is not the only leader who has replied to the 16-year-old's letter. After Anandiben Patel was sworn in as the first woman Chief Minister of Gujarat, Aishwarya had written to her, to congratulate the CM and appreciate the work she has done for people. Within two months, she received a reply from the leader, thanking her for her wishes.
"I know my suggestions may not be very useful for them, but it feels good to know that my letters were acknowledged." Aishwarya had also written to US President Barack Obama after he won the second term, as well as to the then Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan when tsunami had hit parts of the country.
No letters for state leadersHowever, when asked why she hasn't written to any leaders of Maharashtra, she said, "I don't have any expectations from my state's leaders." Aishwarya revealed that her family has not had the best experience with the government so far.
Aishwarya's father, Bharat Kanke, was born and brought up in the city and his parents spent 70 years in Mumbai before moving back to their hometown in Aurangabad. It has been close to two decades since the 42-year-old has been writing to various departments of the state to get his caste certificate.
"I belong to Schedule Tribe and I am entitled to certain benefits that I'm missing out on as there is no help coming from the government," said Bharat, displaying hundreds of letters he had written to three Chief Ministers of the state.