As her name suggests, Lucknow’s Ananya Verma is a unique child.
Just short of her fifth birthday, Ananya is all set to get admission in Class 9 in a city school if the state education department gives its consent. And it will be the first time she will ever go to a school.
The story of her two elder siblings is no different. Her brother Shailendra became the country’s youngest computer science graduate in 2007 when he was just 14 and sister Sushma holds the Limca Book of Records for becoming the youngest matriculate at seven. She enrolled in a PhD course at the age of 15 last year.
Born on December 1, 2011, Ananya can read all kinds of books, including the Ramayana and the Hanuman Chalisa, with ease.
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“My elder daughter, Sushma, went to St Meera’s. This school is willing to take the child (Ananya) in Class 9. But there are certain formalities and hence she cannot be enrolled without official permission,” Ananya’s father Tej Bahadur, who works as a peon in a university, said.
“We never force her to study. When I return home from the university, she insists that I help her in her studies. Her ability to grasp new topics is commendable,” Sushma, who mostly helps her in mathematics, said.
{{/usCountry}}“We never force her to study. When I return home from the university, she insists that I help her in her studies. Her ability to grasp new topics is commendable,” Sushma, who mostly helps her in mathematics, said.
{{/usCountry}}The school has allowed Ananya to attend classes as she waits for the education department’s permission. She has been going to school regularly for the last 10-15 days and is already quite popular among students.
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The management of St Meera’s School is also very happy to have Ananya.
“We spotted abundant talent in Ananya just like Sushma. We groomed Sushma after she came to our school in Class 9 when she was just 5. We will work extra with Ananya also. Her fingers are very small. She needs to be given special attention, particularly in mathematics. Our trained educators will conduct extra sessions with her,” school manager Vinod Ratra said.
He said in Sushma’s case the then district inspector of schools Vikas Srivastava gave her the permission and she could then attend school.
“We are awaiting approval from the secondary education department. Ananya is coming unofficially to the school and attending classes. But formal admission will be given once we get the approval,” Ratra added.
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Tej Bahadur has no words except those of gratitude for the goddess of learning, Saraswati, who he says has blessed his children.
“I am illiterate and cannot guide my children. Whatever they have achieved is the grace of Ma Saraswati,” he said.