Chatura Juwatkar and Prajakta Kadam | 21st September 2025
When Sharad Hari Juwatkar walks into his office at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), he carries with him not only the authority of being Head of Department but also the memories of countless evenings spent in classrooms after long, exhausting workdays. At 56, with nearly 1,500 staff members under his leadership, Sharad is a living example of how determination, family support, and the opportunities of night schools can transform lives.
A Second Chance at Education
Sharad’s association with education did not follow the conventional path. After stepping into the workforce early, continuing studies in the daytime was not possible. The need to earn a livelihood took priority, and like many in Mumbai, he had to juggle responsibilities. But he also knew education mattered.
Night college became the solution. He enrolled at Vikas College of Commerce in Vikhroli, where he studied from F.Y. B.Com to T.Y. B.Com.
“The main reason I chose night school was simple—I was already working during the day. Attending regular classes wasn’t an option,” Sharad explains.
For him, those classrooms weren’t just about completing a syllabus. They were about holding on to a dream of growth despite the odds.
Days at Work, Nights at College
The routine Sharad followed was anything but easy. His job required him to work from nine in the morning until five in the evening at Prabhadevi. By the time the workday ended, many people would be ready to head home. For Sharad, however, the evening was just beginning.
He would travel from Prabhadevi to Vikhroli, reaching college by six. Classes ran until 10 PM, after which he would return home—often around 11 PM. Dinner, winding down, and preparing for the next day would push the clock past midnight.
“It was definitely difficult,” he recalls. “There wasn’t much time left to study at home. On holidays, I made up for it, and sometimes, I studied in groups with friends. Many of them were also working, so we motivated each other.”
The group of friends from Bhandup became his circle of support, helping him balance the academic load while managing work pressures.
For anyone pursuing education against the flow of daily responsibilities, support from family and peers makes all the difference. Sharad acknowledges this openly. His family encouraged him to continue his studies despite the difficulties. Friends who were in the same situation—working by day and studying at night—formed an informal network of encouragement.
Struggles With Time
Sharad points to one challenge above all others—time management. “The schedule was always too packed,” he says. “Work in the morning, college in the evening, and then hardly any time left for studies. Even at work, my department had varied responsibilities, so focusing on studies during the day wasn’t possible.”
Sleep often took a backseat, and he had to discipline himself to use holidays and free hours productively. Yet, the determination to not give up kept him moving forward.
Why Education Mattered?
Despite the hardships, Sharad’s persistence paid off. Completing his graduation had a direct impact on his career. “Education always helps. After I graduated, my service record included my B.Com degree. That, along with a diploma I had, strengthened my professional profile,” he explains.
His qualification opened new doors, gave him credibility, and marked him as someone who had not just experience but also formal education.
Rising in His Career
Today, Sharad works as Head of Department at the BMC’s F/North ward office in Matunga. It is a position of responsibility, with nearly 1,500 staff members under his supervision. Managing such a large team requires leadership, discipline, and a sense of accountability—all qualities he sharpened through his night college journey.
“Of course, night college contributed to what I have achieved,” he says. “Without graduation, things would have been very different.”
The Stigma Around Night Schools
Even today, night schools are sometimes looked down upon as a “second option.” Sharad strongly disagrees with this perception. “There is no question of underestimating night colleges,” he says firmly.
“The same teachers who teach during the day also teach at night. In fact, night college teachers understand better that 50% of their students come straight from jobs. That’s why they cover more of the syllabus during class itself, knowing students may not get much time at home.”
For him, night colleges are not just equal to regular institutions—they are, in many ways, more empathetic to students’ realities.
Nearing Retirement, Still Growing
With retirement a little over a year away, Sharad is now focused on his responsibilities at BMC. While he does not plan to return to formal college education, he continues to take departmental exams and internal tests that support promotions. For him, learning has always been about growth—whether through a classroom or through work.
A Message for Today’s Generation
When asked what message he would give to young people and working adults, Sharad speaks with conviction. “Adults who are working should definitely continue their education—whether through night schools or correspondence. Education always benefits you in your career.”
For today’s students, his advice is pointed: “Don’t waste time. Many spend hours on mobiles, playing games or scrolling. Instead, read. If you don’t enjoy books, there’s Google—use it to learn, search for information, and add to your knowledge. It will help you in the long run.”
A Journey of Resilience
Sharad Hari Juwatkar’s story is not about dramatic turns but about steady resilience. His success did not come from shortcuts, but from years of balancing responsibilities and refusing to let go of education.
From rushing to college after a long day’s work, to group study sessions with friends, to standing today as a senior official leading hundreds of employees—his path shows the power of perseverance.
Night schools and colleges across India are filled with students like Sharad once was—adults who dream of a better future, who push themselves through exhaustion, and who carry their books as quietly as they carry their hopes.
And stories like his remind us that education, no matter when or how it is pursued, has the power to change everything.
Chatura Juwatkar and Prajakta Kadam work as media researchers, with a special interest in documenting how ordinary people reshape their lives through learning and perseverance.
