Episode 68: The Second-Hand Shame : When a Teenager Lies About Poverty to Survive in a Premium School
Series: Broken by Burden: Financial Survival Strategies for the Troubled Mind
Date: 03-Sept-2025
🎭 The Mask of Survival
Ritvik, 14, studied at Crestfield International Academy in Bangalore — a place where weekend trips to Singapore were common, AirPods were considered stationary, and birthday parties looked like wedding receptions.
But Ritvik was a scholarship student.
His father, Mr. Nandakumar, was a security guard at a government hospital. His mother, Radha, worked part-time at a tailoring unit. They lived in a one-room rented quarter beside a temple lane, surviving on ₹18,000/month combined income.
When Ritvik received a 100% scholarship through a state merit exam, the family celebrated with homemade laddoos and rented a second-hand school bag from a local shop that allowed monthly payments.
But Crestfield was another world.
👟 The Illusions He Wore
- Ritvik borrowed branded shoes from Abhay, a boy from the nearby colony who had outgrown them.
- He wrapped his father’s old phone in a fake iPhone case to avoid ridicule during school breaks.
- He saved his lunchbox foil so he could “pretend” he ordered from Zomato like his classmates.
- On days of sports or swim practice, he faked illness — they couldn’t afford a kit or proper towel.
He created stories:
“My dad’s traveling abroad for work…”
“Yeah, we just bought a PS5. I’m bored of it now.”
“No, I’m not on WhatsApp. My number is private.”
And everyone believed him.
🏫 The Parent-Teacher Meeting That Unraveled Everything
It was a cloudy Thursday when Radha arrived at Crestfield for the PTM. She wore her best cotton saree — washed, ironed, faded.
Ritvik’s heart pounded.
Radha (to the teacher, with pride):
“Ma’am, he studies alone. He goes to the temple when it’s too noisy at home.”
Teacher (smiling):
“He’s brilliant, Mrs. Nandakumar. But may I ask — has he been facing any emotional trouble? He’s always withdrawn.”
Then she saw them — Ritvik’s classmates, whispering.
“Is that his mom?”
“She looks like our maid!”
“Can’t believe he said his dad works abroad.”
That night, Ritvik didn’t eat dinner.
💔 The Conversation at Home
Ritvik (teary, quiet):
“Ma… why did you come wearing that saree?”
Radha (confused):
“It was your father’s favorite. Why?”
Ritvik (shouting):
“Because everyone laughed! They think we’re nothing!”
Radha (silently sits down):
“We are not nothing. We are everything we can afford. But if pretending helps you survive… pretend. Just don’t forget who you are when no one’s watching.”
🧠 Character Psychology
- Ritvik wasn’t ashamed of his parents—he was afraid of being isolated, mocked, and dismissed in a world where appearance equaled identity.
- Radha wasn’t angry—she was quietly broken. She understood that love couldn’t always protect her son from societal cruelty.
- Classmates were not evil—just unaware. They reflected the cruelty of privilege without consciousness.
👥 Supporting Characters:
- Mihika, a rich but grounded girl, overhears the conversation and later sits next to Ritvik in class:
“My dad’s rich too. But he never shows up. At least you have a mom who comes.” - Abhay, the neighbor friend, becomes his reality anchor:
“Don’t lie to fit in, bro. You’re cooler than them already.”
💡 What This Story Teaches Us
- Poverty doesn’t always hurt in hunger. Sometimes, it hurts in silence and shame.
- Pretending may protect you today, but it leaves cracks in your soul tomorrow.
- Institutions that offer scholarships must also offer emotional infrastructure for inclusion.
- Parents often suffer silently when children outgrow their economic shadows.
🛠️ Practical Advice for Families and Schools
- Schools should create safe spaces for financial diversity
Mentorship programs, empathy workshops, and inclusive events can help bridge privilege gaps. - Teach children early to value authenticity over approval
Self-worth isn’t built on phone brands or shoes. - Parents: Talk about money with dignity, not shame
Children will carry your attitude toward poverty more than your poverty itself. - Encourage schools to offer additional support beyond scholarships
Uniform subsidies, cultural sensitization, and parental support networks go a long way.
🌱 Where They Are Now
Two months later, Ritvik started journaling about his feelings — writing raw truths about what poverty feels like inside a rich uniform.
His essay “Second-Hand Shame” won a state-level storytelling contest.
He bought his mother a new saree with the prize money. Not because her old one embarrassed him — but because now, he knew how much dignity it carried.
Episode 69: The Price of Silence — When a Homemaker Hides Her Cancer to Avoid Becoming a ‘Burden’
In the next episode, a middle-aged woman who gave up her dreams for her family begins hiding her pain—literal and emotional—to protect her household from medical costs and emotional turmoil. But her silence becomes the costliest decision of all.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
This blog series is intended for emotional and financial reflection. It is not a substitute for professional advice. If you or someone you know is facing emotional distress, debt-related trauma, or social anxiety, please consult a licensed mental health professional or financial advisor. Names and events are fictionalized but inspired by true societal patterns.
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