Woman works her way up from SBI sweeper to AGM in Mumbai

<p>
<strong>Hard work, grit and determination is what makes a person strong and successful. An outstanding example of this is Pratiksha Tondwalkar, who started as a sweeper at India’s biggest bank, the State Bank of India and rose to become an Assistant General Manager in the organisation.</strong></p>
<p>
Tondwalkar was born in Pune to a poor family and was unable to complete her studies due financial constraints. Married at the age of 16 she arrived in Mumbai with her husband Sadashiv Kadu.</p>
<p>
A bookbinder at SBI’s Mumbai branch, Kadu passed away in an accident.</p>
<p>
Widowed at the age of 20 she had to take care of her son and did odd jobs till she landed a sweeper’s job at the bank where her husband worked.</p>
<p>
Talking to Money Control, she recalled: “At that time, I had to visit the SBI branch to collect my remaining dues from my husband. I knew I had to take up a job but I was not qualified. So, I asked the bank to help with a job so that I could survive.”</p>
<p>
After sweeping and cleaning the bank premises in the morning, Tondwalkar did other menial jobs.</p>
<p>
Unfazed by adverse circumstances and hardships, she did not lose hope. “I knew I was not meant for this. I saw people working at the office and I knew I wanted to be one of them,” she remarked. She made attempts to complete her school education.</p>
<p>
Receiving support from the bank staff and relatives she cleared Class X and Class XII and later did graduation in psychology in 1995.</p>
<p>
She started working as a clerk at the bank and remarried. She was promoted to a trainee officer in 2004 and rising steadily has become an AGM.</p>