Saraswati’s Way

Saraswati’s Way
by Monika Schroder
J SCH

Akash, although poor, has lived a happy life with his family in a small town in the desert area of India and has been able to study those 12 years with the village scholar enough to know that he has a great talent and love for mathematics. His desire to study further is thwarted by the death of his father and the betrayal of his relatives who sell him into slavery. Akash has always thought that the gods would provide for him. Akash questions the gods, particularly Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and patroness of mathematicians, and Ganeshe the god of good fortune. The gods do not seem to be offering any chances of a better life to Akash, so the boy takes matters into his own hands.
Akash escapes a work camp and flees to Delhi where he lives with a group of homeless boys. He makes a living by selling trash and recyclable items. While running errands for a salesman he knows named Ramesh, Akash often passes a school where he sees students studying. He watches them with envy.
When Akash earns a few coins, he hires a tutor, only to discover that he knows more math than the teacher. That tutor refuses to return his money even though he has nothing to teach him.
Akash befriends several of the street boys who direct him to other jobs. He barely escapes getting drawn into the drug trade. Akash longs to further his education, but there are things he is unwilling to do to earn money. His older friend Ramesh notes how hardworking and honest Akash is and offers him opportunities to work for him and his fellow business people in the area.
Can someone who is no more than a beggar earn a scholarship to a good education? To find out if hardworking, honest Akash can make his way to his goals in a harsh world, you must read Saraswati’s Way.

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J’Ann Peacock Alvarado