Everyday Hero: Ashwani Gogia

ASHWANI GOGIA, Indian, teacher

Dubai: Seven nights a week between 10.30pm and 1.30am, Ashwani Gogia can be found in his small, three by four metre room, doing what he loves most - passing on what he calls the "gift of knowledge."

After a 12-hour shift, most would look forward the time to relax, but every night after he finishes work Gogia, 48, teaches around 15 students English and general studies.

He charges his pupils nothing, but teaches them on the assurance that they pass on whatever they learn to one other person. Gogia, a jovial and energetic man, who works as a manager at the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) near Ibn Battuta Mall, says that nothing gives him more pleasure than helping others.

"I try to help these men, some of whom are illiterate and do not have very much, to improve their thinking. I want them to be like lotus flowers that manage to bloom despite their surroundings," Gogia told Gulf News during a break in his class.

Gogia says he is inspired by his students who come unquestioningly everyday to learn, despite having worked for 12 hours. Some work the night shifts, yet come to the classes during their hour-long break, rather than resting or going to eat along with their colleagues.

The classes have now become so popular that there is a waiting list, simply because Gogia cannot fit any more students into his small room on the 8th floor of one of the DMCC buildings.

Messages plastered to the wall of his room read "Do at least one good work daily" and "Whatever God has given thanks for that - whatever you don't have try for it."

"Knowledge and education is a must. Bad things can happen to people because of lack of knowledge," he says. "I encourage my students to be positive and to be happy for what they have in life."

This remarkable man arrived from India to the UAE less than two years ago, and says he started teaching "to do something good". Sitting on his mattress on the floor of his room, Gogia is surrounded by his students seated on the floor. He asks questions in Hindi with his students responding in English, making notes in exercise-books which are provided by their teacher.

"I cannot afford much, so sometimes I miss my dinner to give notebooks and pencils to my students. When they learn, my students become more confident in their work and everyday life here in Dubai. They can go to the bank, the doctor and explain themselves, they can ask for directions or read the bus numbers. Suddenly they can be understood."

It is this empowering gift that Gogia is committed to passing on to the dedicated group of men, aged between 20 and 35. Among the students - all workers at the DMCC from India and Nepal - is Subhash Kumar, 34, who has been promoted after he learnt how to write.

Gogia names his children as his best assets, and proudly explains that his daughter is at university with his son soon to follow. In the absence of his family, he says his students have become like his children.

Nominated by: Ashwani Gogia was nominated by Anjay Kumar Sharma, 28, who has been his neighbour for six months and admires him for his commitment to his students. "He says ‘my fee is when you learn, you should teach one other person in your life'," Sharma said. "For his work, I salute him."

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