The daughter of a man who pulls a rickshaw to earn a living, the son of a mason who does not have a steady income, the daughter whose father was forced to drop out of school and runs a small cycle repairing shop but has a dream to see her become a finance professional.

There are many successful candidates in this year’s higher secondary examinations who had to overcome financial hardships. Metro spoke to a few of the teenagers who refused to give up.

Rumi Shasmal, 92%

Tiljala Balika Vidyalaya

The daughter of a rickshaw-puller, Rumi Shasmal, after Madhyamik, started giving private tuition to students of primary schools to support her education.

Five days a week, she would spend a couple of hours in the evening teaching two children and make Rs 800 a month.

Her father earns about Rs 7,000 a month. “It is difficult to run the household with this money. We would worry about how to meet the expenses of our daughter’s studies. But she fended for herself,” said her mother Mita on Wednesday.

In 2021, during the Covid pandemic, Rumi’s brother had to give up his studies after higher secondary and take up a job in a garage.

Rumi did not want the same fate for herself.

The 17-year-old wants to study geography honours and has worked hard for it.

Rumi scored 95 per cent in geography and economics, 94 per cent in English, 91 per cent in Bengali, 85 per cent in computer applications and 70 per cent in math.

Jay Chowkidar, 93%

Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Narendrapur

Jay Chowkidar’s father is a mason, in Piali, South 24-Parganas, who could not study beyond Class VII.

But the 17-year-old wants to continue his studies and become a teacher.

After Madhyamik, with a few points less than 80 per cent, Jay appeared for the admission test at Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya. He got through and made the most of the opportunity.“The discipline and routine helped me focus,” he said.

He scored 97 per cent in English, 76 per cent in Bengali, 91 per cent in history, 90 per cent in political science, 92 per cent in Sanskrit and 95 per cent in philosophy.

“I would sometimes think of quitting and doing some work to support my father. But my family and teachers encouraged me to continue studying,” said Jay.

Resma Khatun, 81.6%

Dum Dum Sree Arabinda Vidyamandir

On Wednesday afternoon, Raju Molla was repairing a bicycle in his shop when his daughter called him to say she had scored 81 per cent in the higher secondary exams.

In tears, Molla stopped work and announced his daughter’s result to the others in the shop. The mechanic, who had studied till Class VIII, was a proud father.

Resma Khatun, 17, scored 80 per cent in Bengali, 81 per cent in English, 62 per cent in accountancy, 92 per cent in commercial law and preliminaries of auditing, 84 per cent in cost tax and 71 per cent in computer applications.

She had scored 58 per cent in Madhyamik.

Her father’s shop had shut down during the pandemic and Resma could attend online classes only on days when her father was at home and not doing odd jobs.

She wants to pursue commerce. “I want to become an independent woman. That can happen when I start earning,” she said.

Molla, with an income of Rs 8,000 a month, is the sole earning member in the family of five. “I will take a bank loan for her education. Occasionally, when there is less work at the shop, I drive an e-rickshaw to earn some extra money,” Molla said.

Riya Khatun, 84.2%

Children’s Welfare Association High School for Girls, Behala

Every day is a challenge for Riya Khatun and her parents, be it to buy books or new clothes during the festival season.

But the teenager never complained.

“My father ensures I get everything I want,” Riya told Metro.

Father Sheikh Rajuddin, who earns Rs 5,200 a month from the 100-day work scheme, said he cannot always meet his daughter’s needs.

But the lack of resources did not come in her way.

Riya scored 84 per cent in Bengali and biology, 86 per cent in English, 64 per cent in chemistry, 93 per cent in nutrition and 74 per cent in environmental science.

“I want to pursue nutrition and become a dietician,” the 17-year-old said.

Rajuddin could not pass Madhyamik on his first attempt and did not get a second chance.

“But my daughter is a good student and I will support her,” he said.