Summary
Students beat odds to clear first ever board exam
Many students take challenges in their stride instead of getting daunted by them. The Telegraph speaks to two such students who have triumphed over odds to pass not just Madhyamik but in life’s battles.
Deep Das
Jodhpur Park Boys School
96.14 per cent
Deep’s father, Pradip Das, is a security guard at a housing society and his mother stitches blouses and night dresses that she sells door-to-door.
Deep topped in Jodhpur Park Boys School in the Madhyamik examination with 96.14 per cent.
His marks are 94 in Bengali, 95 in English, 99 each in mathematics and physical science, 98 each in life science and geography and 90 in history.
Despite Deep’s result, the family worries how far the 15-year-old will be able to study given their “unstable income”.
“My husband earns about Rs 7,000 a month but because of health issues he has to skip duty sometimes,” said mother Jhumki Das.
“I do stitching at home and then go around to sell what I make. I could not have been happier when I saw my son’s result but I am apprehensive about how long can we support him,” she said.
Deep has taken admission in science in the same school in Class XI. He aspires to appear for NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) to be able to study medicine.
“But unlike Class X, appearing for NEET requires preparation and money,” said Jhumki.
Deep wants to start earning as soon as possible to be able to support his family.
“I am grateful to my school and to my teachers for supporting me throughout,” he said.
Headmaster of the school, Amit Sen Majumdar, said the school would encourage and support him as far as possible.
“That he is the topper of our school despite fighting such trying circumstances goes on to show his talent and tenacity,” said Sen Majumdar.
Anusha Dasgupta
St John’s Diocesan Girls’ Higher Secondary School
35.71 per cent
She cannot run. She cannot climb stairs without help. She cannot write fast.
Despite impediments, 15-year-old Anusha has attended school regularly and on Friday cleared Madhymik with 35.71 per cent marks.
Her subject scores are 48 in Bengali, 41 in English,25 in mathematics, 30 in physical science, 31 in life science,48 in history and 27 in geography.
“It is a feat for Anusha to pass in all the subjects. There are students who, despite having no challenges, do not put in any effort. But Anusha is a girl who tries very hard,” said her class teacher Amrita Banerjee.
Banerjee said Anusha took the help of a writer for the papers. Throughout Class X, the school had provided her with a writer to give her practise.
“She has restrictions in movement but on sports day she would cheer her friends. How many children her age would do that,” said Banerjee.
Anusha’s grandmother said she has scoliosis.
Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine loses its normal shape and takes an S-shape that can restrict an individual’s movement and postures, said Apurbo Ghosh, director of the Institute of Child Health.
Both Anusha’s parents are working and are posted outside Calcutta in two different cities. “They moved out of Calcutta a few years back. Since Anusha was in this school, she stayed back with us,”said grandmother Purobi Dasgupta.
Anusha’s class teacher said her grandmother would not just drop her to school every day but also attend parent-teachers’ meets.
The school allowed her to use the elevator and her friends would carry her school bag.
“The school has always been caring towards her. But we were not sure how she would fare in Madhyamik because it is a board examination,” said Dasgupta.
Anusha wants to teach orphans.
“I want to teach children who do not have parents. I will be a teacher-parent to them,” she said.
Last updated on 20 May 2023
