Summary
Many students have emerged as stars because of grit they have displayed in being able to simply carry on with their school
Many students have put up a stellar show in terms of marks in their CBSE exams.
Many others have emerged as stars because of the grit they have displayed in being able to simply carry on with their school.
Two such students have successfully sailed over human, social and personal boundaries.
SOUMYAJJAL DE
SS Public School
Class XII, 65.4 per cent
An 18-year-old who was diagnosed with autism at the age of six went to mainstream institutions throughout his school life and scored 65.4 per cent in his Class XII board exams.
Soumyajjal was always focused on his studies, his mother said.
“He has autism but he is high-functional. He always went to mainstream schools and fared well. Our only consideration was the school should be close to our home,” said Sarmistha, his mother.
Soumyajjal’s marks are: English 59, history 77, political science 63, economics 56, Bengali 72 and physical education (additional subject) 83.
“In Class XI, he attended online classes and because of his condition even in Class XII he was given certain allowances to stay at home. But he wrote all his exams in school,” said De.
Over the years, Soumyajjal has been able to control his impulses much better than before.
De said that it was important that children with autism are mainstreamed and Soumyajjal’s school and friends helped him do that.
“He is used to repetitive behaviour but his friends were patient with him and would answer his queries. There are certain things that he can discuss with his friends and I feel this generation is more open and accepting,” said De.
“For a society to progress everybody has to be involved. One group of people cannot be left behind,” said De.
SWETA GUPTA
Future Hope School
Class X, 81.4 per cent
This 16-year-old girl started teaching children in her neighbourhood in pre-primary classes to earn Rs 500.
The money, she said, helped her take care of her personal needs. “To buy things for personal hygiene,” for example.
She took classes in the evening, after returning from school and when the neighbourhood was quiet. In her one-room house, with her sister and mother, Sweta would open her own books at 11pm and start studying.
“During the day I would stay back in school and study and return only in the evening because the environment around my house is not conducive for studies,” she said.
Her marks are 79 in English, 90 in Hindi, 69 in science, 86 in social science and 83 in information technology.
The girl, whose mother went to school only up to Class V, speaks fluent English and aspires to become a lawyer.
“The girl is an all-rounder. She is good in studies, dance, sports and is an orator,” said Sujata Sen, CEO, Future Hope.
Sweta’s mother Anita picks up night dresses and blouses from wholesale markets and goes door to door selling them.
“Usually I make Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 a month but business is down during the summer months,” said Anita. She supplements the income with small tailoring work to raise two teenagers.
Future Hope supports the family and her. For example, the school has approved a budget for the girl so that she does not have to spend money on travelling.
“There was a time in Class X when I was at the point of giving up because of family problems. But my school supported me and here I am today with my Class X results,” said Sweta.
Last updated on 14 May 2023
