Eight-year-old Subrata Dey, known as Nandu to his grandmother, could not walk or talk properly.

However, he faces no hurdles in going to school, around half a kilometre from his home at Vivekananda Colony in Cooch Behar’s Dauaguri. Every day Subrata’s friend Sagar aka Ashiq Hossain carries him in his arms to school and back. Subrata, suspected to be suffering from cerebral palsy, and Sagar are students of Class II.

“My grandson loves him the most and it is because of Sagar that he can attend school. Every day, Sagar comes and picks him up, and walks for over 300 metres with Subrata in his arms, to reach the school,” said Aruna, Subrata’s grandmother.

She said Subrata’s father committed suicide a few years ago and his mother had left the boy and returned to her parents’ home.

“It is since the pre-primary days that Sagar has been carrying Subrata to school and back home. Their bonding is heart-warming, as is the sense of responsibility of an eight-year-old,” said Abhay Das, a neighbour.

In school too Sagar takes care of his friend and helps him with studies and in having mid-day meal. Occasionally, if Sagar doesn’t turns up, Subrata does not want to go to school. “I need to persuade him for several minutes to take him to school,” the grandmother said.

Sagar said he never felt he was doing anything extraordinary. “He is my friend. He cannot walk properly but has interest in studies. Also, it is difficult for his grandmother, who looks after him single-handedly, to take him to school every day and bring him back. That is why I felt I should help him,” Sagar said.

Headmistress Shefali Rani Sarkar said: “All five teachers of the school, the students and also the guardians are aware of the deep friendship between the two boys. Sagar’s sincerity, which has helped Subrata to continue with his, is an example for all of us.”