Ramjirao visited many schools in Satara and neighboring districts to seek admission for his son. He was pushed back everywhere. No school wants to admit Bheemrao for fear of the wrath of the authorities as 95% of the students are from caste homes. Ramjirao never lost hope. He went to school to study. Finally, he achieves success. A benevolent Brahmin prince agreed to admit Bheemrao in his school. He said, “Subedar! we will welcome your child. Your dreams will come true. But there are certain conditions."What condition, sir?" Ramjirao asked worriedly. "She will not touch any boy. He would bring his own mat and sit by the door in the classroom. Ramjirao's face fell. He turned, "But sir, my poor Bheeva...". The director raised his hand to shut up. He said, “Ramji, I know it will be difficult for young Bheemrao. To try to understand. We don't want any problems from parents of senior boys. What is important is Bheema's education." Ramjirao thanked the headmaster loudly and went home wondering how to explain to little Bheeva. Ramjirao tried to tell little Bheeva how important it is for him to go to school. . He also explained the conditions. Bheemrao did what he was told to do. He sat down by the classroom door. The boys sat on the couch. Bheemrao did not understand why he was being treated differently. In Satara, Ramjirao had rented a room from a Mahar veteran. So till now, Bheemrao knew only boys and girls from his own tribe. Not anymore. The other boys stayed away from him like he was sick. The boys were laughing and making fun of him. One boy said, "That boy is an untouchable villain," and spat on the ground. It was made clear to Bheemrao that he was a Mahar, a creature worse than a dog. This made Bheemrao very sad. Some teachers felt sorry for him but there was nothing they could do. Ramji would advise his son to forget everything else and focus on studies. One day, a teacher decided to show the other boys that Bheemrao was more beautiful than any other student. He asked Bheemrao to draw a triangle on the board. As Bheemrao walked up to the board, a sudden murmur rose from the pews. Fear was seen on the boys' faces. They got up. A boy shouted, "Bheema, stop! Get off the board." Bheemrao stopped getting angry. The teacher was shocked and confused. He asked, "What happened?" The boy explained, "We put our lunch boxes under the board. If Bhima Mahar goes there, our food will be contaminated. We have to remove our box before Bhima draws a triangle. The boys ran into the board while Bheemrao stood with his back leaning against the wall in fear. The teacher was embarrassed. He looked apologetically at poor Bheemrao. Later, the teacher patted her back to comfort her. He advises Bheemrao not to take such things to heart. During this time, Bheemrao's mother, Bheemabai, fell ill and died. It was bad for the family. Ramjirao returned from his work late at night. Then she had to cook for her children. In the morning, he and Bheemrao ate what was left over from the night before going to work and school separately. Bheemrao's growing body needs food. During lunch, he was so hungry that tears came to his eyes. But when he comes home at night, he will be hungry. When it became impossible, he told his father about his problem. The father understood. She asks Bheeva to run home at lunch time to eat because her aunt cooks lunch for other children in the afternoon. From that day onwards, Bheemrao would run home during the lunch break. After a quick meal, he returned. The school is very far. So, lunch time is always missing. The principal called Bheemrao and reprimanded him, "Are you taking care of your studies? That is bad. I will warn you...." Bheemrao bursts into tears and reveals his hunger problem. The headman takes pity on the boy. He said, "Bheemrao! You will not go home for lunch from tomorrow." From that day on, the manager started bringing more rotis and vegetables in his lunch box for Bheemrao. The director, Mr. Ambedkar was very fond of Bheemrao. As the young Bheemrao faces insults, he tries to protect Bheemrao with his kindness. One day he suggested that the boy could use his surname 'Ambedkar'. This is how Bheemrao started putting Ambedkar in his name. But, for a good soul, the untouchable Bheemrao encounters a hundred villains. Wherever he went, he was hated by those close to him. Even the barber refused to cut his hair because Bheemrao was a Mahar. So her older sister uses scissors to cut her hair without anything or any kind. Bheemrao loved to sing Sant Kabeer in Bhajan style with his father. Retired Subedar Ramjirao engaged in Sant Kabeer because his verses preached equality people. Love and kindness are the only true religion, said his letter. His teaching is like a balm that soothes the wounded souls of the untouchables. After reading the poem, Bheeva sometimes wondered if it would be a place where an untouchable boy was treated as a human being?
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