Stories of courage from the examination hall

Each of them has overcome crippling challenges. While some battled physical disabilities, others had to grapple with acute financial crunch. They, however, have one thing in common -- the will to rise above seemingly insurmountable hurdles and make it big in their attempt at cracking the boards.

Each of them has overcome crippling challenges. While some battled physical disabilities, others had to grapple with acute financial crunch. They, however, have one thing in common -- the will to rise above seemingly insurmountable hurdles and make it big in their attempt at cracking the boards.

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Kapil Aggarwal
For Kapil Aggarwal, a student of Bloom Public School in Vasant Kunj, regular schooling once felt like a distant dream. Aggarwal was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in 2004 and his limb movement began to slow down considerably. Soon, it became restricted.

However, Aggarwal overcame his debilitating impairment and shone through, with this year’s CBSE class 12 board exam results. Having secured a 90% in commerce, Aggarwal’s dreams of studying Chartered Accountancy (CA) have been realised.

As the dystrophy progressed, Aggarwal had to be hoisted on a chair and carried to his classroom by his teachers. “At one point, my parents thought that I wouldn’t be able to study in a regular school. They were thinking of putting me in an open school. But the principal said the school will help me out,” he said.

Though he found it difficult to go about his studies, he remained steadfastly committed to his goal.

“Managing things was a difficult task at my pace. But I knew I wanted to become a CA, for which I would study for several hours each day and religiously do the assignments and sample papers,” added Aggarwal.

Ankit Saini
At an aggregate of 97.4% in the CBSE class 12 board exams, a dream of making it to the Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) is just a few steps away. But life had never been easy for Ankit Saini.Five years ago, the family was thrown into tumult as Saini’s father — an auto-rickshaw driver — was paralysed.

With the only earning hand sitting out, Saini’s mother took to working in different houses as part-time help. Yet, Saini persevered with his education at the Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya in the city. The family’s perseverance has paid off in Saini’s success. With a perfect 100 in Economics and 98 in Mathematics, Saini is geared up to set foot in the corporate sector.“Some day, I want to help my parents by giving them a very comfortable life. I want to work in one of the largest multi-national companies after completing my graduation from SRCC,” said Saini. TAruna

The daughter of an autorickshaw driver, Taruna dreams of bringing prosperity to her family as well as the country by clearing the civil services examination.

And Taruna has already proved that she is capable and determined. She has topped in the vocational stream in Delhi in the CBSE class 12 board examinations. With four other siblings and a meagre family income, Taruna’s education at a Delhi government school gave her the backing that she sought.

“A number of students who take admission in government schools belong to underprivileged families. We try our best to provide them the facilities and encouragement that they need,” said Kiran Walia, Delhi education minister.