A computer for Rs 2,500? Yes, crafted by a school dropout!
He is not yet Slumdog Millionaire, but 16-year-old Jayant Parab has all it takes to make it big. He is a school dropout and lives in a slum in the Ghatkopar area, but has crafted a mini computer using scrap collected from offices. Cost: a mere Rs 2,500.
Jayant’s father was a scrap dealer, so he knew how to recycle waste. This was his passion, but his father was upset when he chose to drop out from the school. Little did he know then that his son would turn into a computer expert.
When Jayant was in Class 9, he was asked to present an exhibit at an exhibition called ‘Science and Best Out of Waste’. The following years Jayant spent tinkering with computers and e-waste.
“I realised that many of these children had limited exposure to computers and came from families that could not afford to buy their own machines. Hence I made cheap computers everyone could buy,” Jayant told Free Press Journal, adding, “These computers cost me just Rs 2,500, but I would like to sell them for Rs 5,500 because I want to generate employment for those who have degrees but no jobs.”
“Earlier I was disappointed with his work but now I see he is capable of making computers,” said Ravindra Parab, Jayant’s father.
Apart from chasing his dream, Jayant is pursuing his studies from St Teresa High School at Andheri through correspondence and has appeared for his Secondary School Certificate board exam.