Undeterred by their disadvantaged background and spurred by just a strong will to study, some bright sparks simply persevered until they reaped the reward in SSC

Hyderabad: An elated Kaneez Fatima broke into tears on hearing her daughter’s SSC results on Wednesday. She could not believe that her 14-year-old differently abled child, Aqsa Fatima, had cleared the exams with 45 per cent marks. “I feel on top of the world. Nothing else could have brought me so much happiness,” said Kaneez in a choked voice. She clearly could not hide her emotions, much like Aqsa’s mentor Ayesha Rubina

whose joy knew no bounds on seeing the child’s report card. A proud Ayesha, director of Genesis Group of Schools, from where Aqsa passed out, said, “She (Aqsa) was very scared about her exams. She was not familiar with the examination centre and that almost killed her confidence. However, I am glad that Aqsa has finally managed to clear her papers.”

   The announcement of SSC results had several children like Aqsa celebrating quiet moments of joy with their families, even as the city cheered its toppers and rank holders. These students might not have secured very high marks, but have still turned into role models for people in their respective localities as they fought all odds to make their dreams come true.

   If Aqsa had battled her physical disability to secure the secondary school certificate, K Nagamani juggled her time between studying and cleaning houses, to reach this
   far. A student of the Rasoolpura government school, Nagamani made her parents, teachers and well wishers proud on Wednesday by securing 479 marks out of 600. In fact, she was the topper of her school.

   The fact that her father is a daily wage labourer and mother a domestic help, with no educational background and limited resources to fund their child’s education, did not deter the 16-year-old from putting in her best efforts to make it to the top at her school in the slum. Despite having to double up as a house maid at times to earn an extra buck for the family, Nagamani teachers attended every single class and paid complete attention, say her teachers. “What she has achieved is highly commendable. Until today I did not know that she would also work with her mother at times. She never let anything affect her studies,” said M Venugopal her Science teacher, full of praise for his student. Venugopal was clearly a contented man on Wednesday.
   He had good reason for it too - many of his students from the Rasoolpura slum pocket, who perhaps do not even manage to get two square meals a day, cleared their class X exams, with many securing first and second divisions, against all expectations. With 400 out of 600 marks K Mounika, for instance, could not believe what she saw. “I never thought I would get anything like this. I thank God for this success,” said the 15-year-old only wishing she had better facilities at her disposal. “I love to study and could have done much better then,” she said.

   There is not even that small trace of regret in their voices as Farzana Sultan and Bilquis Fatima, girls from the Bhawani Nagar area of old city, speak about their results. While Farzana secured a first division, Bilquis managed to get a second. Students of a two-room school called Aishya High School, these children perhaps never thought they would reach so far. “Bilquis was a eighth class drop out. Parents in this area do not encourage girls to study as they feel it is not safe for them to step out,” said the founder of the school Mohd Afzal who is glad that he could get at least some of them back to school and see them clear their board exams.

   He, however, fears that this might be the end of things. “There is not only a lack of funds but also encouragement. Unless these children get some support,their future will continue to be dark,” Afzal said.

   Trying hard to ignore this reality, most of these children, with much confidence, say that they would grow up to become doctors and engineers.

   Nagamani, however, has a different aim. “I want to become a teacher and teach students of this slum. I want to see more students pass SSC from here,” said the young achiever. Well, here’s hoping that their dreams come true.