Born and raised in Mumbai's rough Dharavi neighborhood, Umesh Keelu graduated from the Officers Training Academy in Chennai on Saturday with honors, ready to join the Indian Army as a commission officer.

On his path to escape the slums, Lieutenant Keelu encountered and overcame numerous obstacles and disasters.  At the Sion Koliwada slum, Keelu was raised from birth. 

In his twenties, Lt. Keelu is presumably the first person from Dharavi to graduate as an officer from the OTA, the Short Service Commission (SSC) training establishment.

In an effort to get into the esteemed college, Umesh attempted twelve times to pass the Services Selection Board (SSB). His sick father passed away shortly after he enrolled in the academy. 

He completed the last rituals in Mumbai before coming back to the academy. Upon his return to the academy, he set about achieving his parents' aspirations through hard work, and today he is a commissioned officer in the Indian Army.

About family background: 
Lt. Keelu is from the Sion, Koliwada, and Dharavi regions. The family of Lt. Keelu, of four, formerly lived in a home that was hardly 10 by 5. His father, who was the only source of income, worked as a painter and made sure the two kids had the greatest education possible.

Even though Umesh and his family overcame every hardship life threw at them, fresh challenges continued to arise. Umesh's father was rendered paralyzed, and the family's modest wages ceased when he suffered an acute stroke in 2013.

Umesh Keelu thoughts on his success:
Umesh Keelu stated that he would encourage other young people from the Dharavi slums to enlist in the military.
They will enlist as well after witnessing his, and he will be inspiring them to do so. Financial crises affect a lot of individuals, but there is always a way when there is will. People will succeed if they have faith in themselves, Keelu stated, saying that "he received no financial assistance. Using a scholarship, he finished his education. He studied for his examinations while working for three years.

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