They rose against all odds
| Date :10-Jun-2022 |
Staff Reporter
Death of parents shatters dreams of any student. Such a big loss could also impact the academic performance of any sincere and hard working boy or girl. But it is not true in the case of some of the students of the city who set aside their personal losses and outshined in the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) examination. Here are their stories.
Father’s loss did not deter Arkaja
Arkaja Deshmukh, who stood first in HSSC (Science stream) from Dr Ambedkar College, Deekshabhoomi, was a witness to her father’s death due to the novel coronavirus. It was difficult for her to forget the pain of loss of her dear father and focus on study. But she took it as a challenge and decided to bring laurels to her family. She scored 96.33 per cent marks and also emerged topper in her college. For Arkaja, on career front, this year was very important. The family did not brood over and Arkaja, too, did not try to take sympathy out of that sad event. She focused on her studies with passion. Arkaja wants to become a Computer Engineer and she is pursuing her aim. Dr Sudhir Fulzele, Secretary of Param Pujya Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak Samiti, told ‘The Hitavada’, “We sensed her spirit since beginning and our institution tried to provide maximum cooperation to her. We all are proud of her.”
Mother’s spirit inspires Palak
Another student Palak Meshram, who was brought up in a humble family, also lost her father to the pandemic. A resident of Lashkaribag, Pachapaoli, and a student of Jaibai Chaudhary Junior College Palak scored 85.80% marks in HSSC. Palak’s father was working in a company. The family’s financial condition was not-so-good. Her brother is pursuing engineering while her sister is doing graduation. The head of the family got infected by the coronavirus and ultimately fell victim to it. But her mother took all the responsibility on her shoulders, got work at a college. Palak, too, studied hard. Sometimes she walked to her school in Sadar from her house in Pachpaoli. Cracking Civil Services Examination is her aim.
Study from home fetches Lalit 87%
Lalit Salunke, a resident of Koradi, lost his both parents in a short span. COVID-19 left him and his sibling orphaned.
Lalit had no option left but to drop out of the school as he was not able to pay the fees. On the basis of study from home, he managed to achieve 87% marks in HSSC. In 2019, Lalit lost his mother Bhavna Salunke. Then his father Vikrant Salunke groomed Lalit and his sibling. Suddenly, Vikrant became victim to the coronavirus in 2021. It was a big shock to Salunkes. Lalit’s paternal aunt Surabhi Salunke brought the children up. As he was not able to pay the fees and his school refused to handover him the TC. Finally, with the help of Women and Child Welfare Department he paid the fees but could not join any coaching classes nor could continue school. He stayed at home and studied hard. His father expected Lalit to become a lawyer. Lalit, too, has decided to pursue law. He said, he would look after his younger sister and try to give her best education.
Jyotsna overcomes loss of both parents
A resident of Kapsi Khurd Jyotsna Meshram, too, had to brave the pain of loss of both parents. Her father passed away in 2018. Her mother had tested positive for the coronavirus and succumbed to it in April 2021. Her aunt, who stays at Prajapati Nagar, took her responsibility. Jyotsna lived with her aunt following all the discipline and studied hard. One may find her score of 82.83% a bit low in this competitive world, but it was an outcome of her struggle after personal loss. She has two sisters Ankita and Neha, who felt proud on the success of Jyotsna. Jyotsna wishes to make career in banking sector.