Summary
Undeterred by circumstances, Kolkata students fight to shine in Higher Secondary
Poverty and lack of resources failed to limit many students. They have surmounted the odds through resilience and focus. The Telegraph spoke to four such teenagers after their higher secondary results were announced.
Juthika Rani Mandal
82.6 per cent
Santoshpur Rishi Aurobindo Balika Vidyapith, Calcutta
The 18-year-old’s father is a labourer who has not studied beyond Class IV and her mother never went to school.
Juthika Rani Mondal has topped her school scoring 82.6 per cent but her marks barely speak of her or her parents’ toil.
Her father, Swapan Mandal, works as a labourer for Rs 5,000 a month, Juthika’s mother said.
During the pandemic they barely had enough to eat and survived on what they collected from the local fair price store, said Juthika.
When she was in Class XI, Juthika started teaching two primary school children.
“I get Rs 800. The money helps me buy exercise books, stationery and also books,” she said.
Her marks are 80 in Bengali, 87 in English, 70 in biological science, 50 in chemistry, 90 in nutrition and 86 in computer applications.
“My parents could not send me to school. I have always regretted that. Despite our financial problems, I don’t want my daughter to regret after growing up that she did not get an opportunity,” said mother Anjana Mandal.
Juthika wants to study science. She has told her father to take care of the family expenses while she would continue to teach children to fund her college education.
Priti Mondal
90.6 per cent
Kanaknagar SD Institution, Hingalganj
PRITI MONDAL: Topped her school. She delivers mail in Hingalganj to support her family and fund her education
The highest scorer of the school delivers mail as an apprentice in Hingalganj, in North 24-Parganas, to support her family and to fund her education.
Despite putting in four hours of work every day delivering mail, Priti Mondal scored 90.6 per cent.
Her marks fell short of her own expectations, she said. She scored 82 in Bengali, 84 in English, 88 in education, 86 in geography, 98 in physical education and 97 in Sanskrit.
She qualified for apprenticeship at the Hingalganj post office after Class X (Madhyamik).
Her work entails collecting mail from the post office and delivering them to sub-post offices in other villages within a radius of seven to eight kilometres.
“I had to balance my duty, school hours and study. I would usually study in the evenings to make up for what I missed during the day,” she said.
“The Rs 10,000 that I get help me support my family. Without the money, continuing my education would have been difficult,” she said.
Not taking the work was not an option for this 18-yearold because her father, who worked as a security guard before the pandemic, no longer has a job.
“Priti represents those students who despite financial constraints do not give up and strive hard to excel in life and academics,” said headmaster of the school, Pulak Roychowdhury.
Manisha Kumari Singh
84.4 per cent
Arya Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Calcutta
MANISHA KUMARI SINGH: She lost her father in 2015 and her mother is a domestic worker. She helps at home during the day and studies at night
Her day starts at 6am and ends long after her neighbourhood in a north Kolkata slum sleeps.
Manisha Kumari Singh wakes up early because the 18-year-old has to cook for her mother, younger brother and herself before walking down to school a couple of kilometers away
Her father, who worked in a tailoring shop, passed away in 2015. “My mother is a domestic help who earns Rs 4,000 a month and I have to help with the household chores. Else, how will she go out to earn?” said Manisha, who also cooks dinner.
But despite all this she has scored 94 in English, 84 in history and political science and 80 in Hindi, geography and computer applications.
“I study at night. I receive help from an organisation. Since I am getting support and opportunity, I should at least try to make use of it,” said Manisha.
She goes to the NGO Calcutta Rescue for additional academic support. The organisation also helped the family pull through during the pandemic.
“We helped her with books, schooling and uniform. She has always been focused on studies and has performed better in higher secondary compared with Class X,” said Ananya Chatterjee, school administrator at Calcutta Rescue.
Abhijit Das
71 per cent
he Park Institution, Shyambazar
ABHIJIT DAS: Borrowed books from his seniors because his mother, who works as a domestic help, could not buy them
The 17-year-old would borrow books from seniors because his mother could not afford to buy books.
Abhijit Das never complained. Instead, he would make the most of what he got.
The result: 58 in Bengali, 65 in English, 64 in history, 72 in nutrition and 96 in beauty and wellness
“My mother works as a cook and domestic help and earns Rs 6,000. It is not possible for her always to buy new books,” said Abhijit. “There have been occasions when she has not been able to pay the school fees on time,” said Abhijit.
“But despite all the constraints and being a single parent, she has ensured that my education does not stop,” he said.
“Today, she is very happy and that gives me immense satisfaction,” he said.
Last updated on 25 May 2023
