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Turning weakness into strength, specially-abled turn toppers

Born with a spine deformity, Deeksha Sharma is the topper in the specially-abled category in the MP Board’s Class 10 exam, and she now aspires to be a doctor. She scored 97%.

Published on: May 14, 2018, 19:34:46 IST
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Born with a spine deformity, Deeksha Sharma is the topper in the specially-abled category in the MP Board’s Class 10 exam, and she now aspires to be a doctor. She scored 97%.

Bhopal, India - May 14, 2018: Deeksha Sharma is the topper in the specially-abled category in the MP Board’s Class 10 exam in Bhopal, India, on Monday, May 14, 2018. (Mujeeb Faruqui/HT Photo)
Bhopal, India - May 14, 2018: Deeksha Sharma is the topper in the specially-abled category in the MP Board’s Class 10 exam in Bhopal, India, on Monday, May 14, 2018. (Mujeeb Faruqui/HT Photo)

A resident of Bhind, Deeksha Sharma said it was very difficult for my family to accept my deformity. “They took me to every possible doctors but everybody says the treatment could prove fatal. Now my family has lost all hope, but I am confident that one day I will be well again,” said Deeksha.

“People showed sympathy in my presence, but also joked about my condition behind my back, but I never let such things distracted me. Rather such jibes motivated me to do better. Now, I will take science in class 11 so I can become a successful doctor,” she added.

Deeksha said she never wanted sympathy for herself and therefore never shared her pain with anyone. It was this grit that ensured she never skipped a single day in school.

“This girl is a boon from God. I never saw such passion in a girl like her. She never skipped school and even during extra classes she was the first to reach the school. She is a role model of our school not because of her deformity but because of her sincerity,” said MK Tomar, principal of Government Higher Secondary School Bhind.

The proud father, who is farmer and also a local politician, Ramavtar Sharma said, “I learnt a lot from my daughter. Her unparallel courage and determination is a strength for our family. Unlike other parents, we do not guide her, rather she guides her. I am proud of her.”

Another student who overcame his weakness to become topper is Shashi Shekhar Prakash, who is suffering from Asperger’s syndrome, a type of autism. Shashi scored 88% and became topper in the specially-abled category in class 12.

  • Shruti Tomar
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Shruti Tomar

    I have spent over a decade chronicling Madhya Pradesh’s political and social landscape, covering politics, investigative journalism, crime, human interest, and government policy, blending sharp insight with ground‑level depth. I have closely tracked three assembly elections, three Lok Sabha elections, leadership transitions in MP while exposing governance lapses, tender irregularities, and flawed policy rollouts. My reports have revealed gaps in the Cheetah project, irregularities in medical education, rigging in recruitment exams, and loopholes in policy implementation. In crime reporting, I have moved beyond FIRs to map systemic patterns — from organised crime networks and gender‑based violence to custodial accountability — balancing urgency with sensitivity. My journalism is defined by a commitment to human interest. I have profiled the marginalised Bancchda community, documented atrocities against tribal groups, and highlighted efforts to preserve their culture through heritage liquor and revival of spiritual practices. I have reported on farmers struggling with failed MSP promises, giving voice to those often reduced to statistics in policy files. Passionate about field reporting, I have reported on rampant sand mining in Chambal and Narmada, pharmaceutical companies supplying medicines under altered names, the dire condition of schools and colleges, the plight of commercial sex workers, and skewed sex ratios in specific districts. Beyond deadlines, and as HT’s state correspondent and assistant editor in Madhya Pradesh, I engage with ministers, farmers, students, and activists, believing the best policy stories begin with a single human voice. A postgraduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, I also hold a diploma in sports journalism.Read More

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